'Back off' medicare, Layton warns Klein
Last Updated: Thursday, December 22, 2005 | 4:27 PM ET
CBC News
Speaking in Edmonton, Layton singled out Alberta Premier Ralph Klein.
"I came here to deliver a message, one that he needs to hear. Back off," Layton said.
"You are not going to destroy public health care. New Democrats won't let you. Make no mistake about it."
NDP Leader Jack Layton in Edmonton, Thursday.
Layton condemned a study by the Alberta government to determine what medical procedures can be downloaded to private insurers.
Layton slammed Liberal Leader Paul Martin, saying he has done little to defend medicare.
He noted that Martin's late father – Paul Martin Sr. – helped establish medicare as a minister in the cabinet of former prime minister Lester Pearson.
"We now have a Liberal prime minister who seems to think that Lester Pearson is just the name of an airport. Paul Martin's Liberals are so busy playing the political games, they've forgotten what they believe in.
"Under Paul Martin, the Liberals have lost their values and broken so many promises they don't even bother to pretend anymore," Layton said.
He then turned to the Conservatives, describing them as "today's Liberals in a hurry."
"Stephen Harper wants to privatize faster, pollute faster, integrate our economy into the United States faster," he said.
Layton's remarks, considered his most aggressive in the campaign, come a day after a harsh exchange between Martin and Harper over national unity.
Layton scolded the two for what he called crass political chest-thumping. But he denied he was doing the same thing with health care.
