I participated in a conference call with Jack Layton last Wednesday. I asked a question, similiar to the title of the post, and Brad Lavigne (Director of Communications) gave a great answer. Shortly after the conference call, Jack Layton sent out a mass email to supporters. I think this email answers my question very well too, so I am sharing it:

—————————————————————–

I am writing further to your previous correspondence on Canada’s mission
in Afghanistan.

Many Canadians have written to me during the last few months in support
for the NDP’s position on Afghanistan. This support is greatly
appreciated. I firmly believe that we are a nation of facilitators not
occupiers, we are a people committed to the ideals of building bridges
not burning them and we must not allow that legacy of good work to
falter.

A good opposition not only opposes, but proposes. So in that spirit, I
want you to know about the NDP’s made-in-Canada plan for Afghanistan. An
NDP-led federal government would:

- Give notice that Canada will withdraw from the search-and-kill combat
mission in Kandahar.
- Work with NATO partners, the Afghan government, and other affected
parties to find a political solution through capacity building and a
comprehensive peace process.
- Focus Canada’s role in Afghanistan on humanitarian aid, reconstruction
and development, with appropriate security measures.

In contrast to our plan, Prime Minister Stephen Harper has silenced
Canada’s independent voice on foreign policy. Following the previous
Liberal government’s path, today’s Conservatives have turned their backs
on our respected, proven peace-building and peace-keeping traditions by
committing Canadian troops to the aggressive search-and-kill combat
mission in southern Afghanistan which is fuelling the escalation of
violence. From the emails and letters I receive it is clear that
everyday Canadians know that:

- This Bush-style combat mission will not create the conditions for
long-term security.
- The mission is ill-defined, unbalanced, and without a clear exit
strategy.
- For every $1 in humanitarian aid and reconstruction, the Conservative
government is spending $9 on military combat in Afghanistan.

The fact of the matter is that the discussion at hand should be about if
this mission is the right role for Canada and - not - which Party
supports our troops. If you have not done so already, I invite you to
sign our on-line petition, Support our troops. Bring ‘em home, which can
be found at: http://www.ndp.ca/page/4121.

Again, I appreciate hearing from you on this troubling matter. I would
like to take this opportunity to encourage you to pass along this email.
All the best.

Sincerely,

Jack Layton, MP (Toronto-Danforth)
Leader, Canada’s New Democrats

Sorry about the lack of posts lately! I’ll try and keep this blog more updated from now on. I’ve been super busy.

I was up in Edmonton twice this past month. Once for the Alberta NDP Organizing Institute, which was quite valuable. It gave me valuable tips on getting involved at a local level. Plus I got a bunch of leaflets that I get to hand out! The second time was for the Alberta NDP Convention. I saw my girlfriend, who lives up near Edmonton, and we went to dinner together at the fundraiser which Jack Layton attended. I met up with Jack in the hallway and we started to compare our “Make Poverty History” bracelets… his was quite dirty, but it was union made

I also went on a camping retreat with the student legislative council at SAIT, which I was recently elected onto. It was great; it’s been such a long time since I last went camping. Part of the activities included repelling off a cliff, which I chickened out of, oh well there is always next time. Anyways, we’ve started off a sustainable committee on campus, and we’ve already had our first meeting. I’m going to advocate at the next meeting that we try and start friendly competitions with other universities/colleges and see who can be the “greenest”! I’ll keep you guys updated on that.

Last Wednesday, I was involved in a conference call with Jack Layton about our position in Afghanistan. This conference call involved students from across Canada and we had a chance to get our questions answered. I got my question answered on the phone, and I also got it answered in an email which I will be sharing in my next post. The conference call got us prepared for the peace rallies taking place all across Canada last Saturday. There was over 150 people that showed up in Calgary, and we got a lot of support from motorists. I managed to collect 66 signatures on a petition calling on the Canadian Government to begin the withdrawal of Canadian Forces from southern Afghanistan, so that a comprehensive peace process can begin.

I will be out in Kensington this weekend collecting some signatures for this petition as well and I hope to double the amount of signatures. I’m planning on going out into the public each Saturday with petitions and/or pamphlets, just to let Calgarians know that the NDP is active in Calgary! I think it’s important to have presence in the community all year round.

I shall post again soon.

Harper’s environment plan can not be called a plan and certainly can not be labeled as environmental. Stephen Harper announced that the government will be implementing intensity-based targets.

You may ask, what are intensity based targets? Intensity based targets means that if the economy is growing, more greenhouse gases are allowed to be produced. Our economy is doing great right now, so that means our environment will suffer under the Conservative plan. An environmental plan should lessen our negative impact on the environment, but this just allows that impact to grow. This is not an alternative to the Kyoto accord and Canadians should feel insulted for being deceived. Let’s not wait for a depression or a stock market crash for us to lower our emissions, let’s protect the environment today and preserve it for our grandchildren!

“they were shocked and they were awed and they were blown in half” - Fun & Games, Barenaked Ladies

The BBC has a story on their website that states that 655,000 Iraqi civilians have died since conflict began in 2003, who would otherwise be alive if no conflict had taken place. And with 4000 Iraqi police officers dead within the past 2 years, it’s hard to say this is not a civil war.

Thanks to leftdog for pointing out that the number of deaths of Iraqi civilians is greater than the population of Winnipeg.

I’m just letting everyone know that about 3 months ago we started a message board over at the New Democratic Youth of Alberta (NDYA) website. It’s active, but we would love to see more members. The message board is intended for NDP members and supporters, regardless of age or where you live. So if you are interested in political discussion I suggest you check out the NDYA Message Board.