So, as usual, I was spending my Sunday evening unwinding by watching the NDP YouTube channel, when I came across this gem – Jack Layton’s response’s to the Conservative budget. Remember, this Friday’s confidence vote on the ways and means motion is for that very same budget, and there’s been a lot of noise about the NDP supporting the Conservatives in that vote. So let’s see what Jack had to say back in January:

Among the highlights:

So, because a budget vote is a confidence vote, on behalf of the tens of thousands who are going to be thrown out of work but will not get any help from this government or this budget, on behalf of the people who have waited too long for child care or health care, on behalf of the seniors who have lived too long in poverty, and on behalf of future generations who are counting on us to take strong, urgent and bold action on the environment, we will vote no confidence in this government.

Our former leader and respected member of this House, Tommy Douglas, once said, “Courage my friends, ’tis not too late to build a better world”.

I am disappointed that others in this House are not willing to show that same courage and that same conviction at this important moment in time. Meaningless amendments will not change the fundamental failures of this budget or repair the trust that this government has broken with the Canadian people.

We cannot support such a budget or such a government.

My, how times have changed. What would Tommy Douglas think Jack?