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Thanks - I meant it as a followup to Fidel's question, but I was a bit slow off the hop. With a public internet provider, I could have been in there at lightning speed.
We'll try to get to your question if we have time, Polunatic2.
Our sixth question addresses your public image and the gamesmanship of politics in Canada--from babbler Hoodeet:
Niki - a question that wasn't pre- approved - oops.
I have dealt with the Conservative attack machine directly. In 2006 I was targeted because i was nominated and campaigned in support of same-sex marriage. In the 2011 election I was targeted by Conservative robocalls because I support trans-gendered rights. I have found the best way to fight the Conservative attack machine is to expose it and fight back on the issue itself.
I believe that I have as much experience as many of my opponents, but more to the point-I believe that my age is more of an asset. I have a perspective that I can bring to public policy questions that is different than that of many other political leaders; I've talked about pensions, for example, from the perspective of a young person, as part of a generation that fears we may never be able to retire. I think that perspective can be very powerful, if the party takes advantage of it. I can reach voters that other leaders simply can't.
The key message of our campaign is that we need New Politics. I think that Canadians have reinvented politics; they're looking for something different from leaders today. They know that one person doesn't have all the answers and they get frustrated by leaders like Stephen Harper who pretend that they do. It's part of what makes them cynical about politics. And they believe something, and I believe something, that I think Stephen Harper has forgotten. Leadership isn't about power foryourself. Leadership is service to others.
Canadians know that all of us rely on advisors. Stephen Harper relies on spin doctors and corporate lobbyists. For myself, I will make it clear that I intend to make decisions based on solid evidence about what works and what doesn't. And I will put forward a vision of a new kind of leadership-one where leaders have the confidence to allow others to show leadership, too.
It will mean leading a government where politicians provide funding and establish guidelines at the macro level but allow people with expertise to make decisions at the micro level. It will mean working with provinces and territories,and Aboriginal communities to solve problems ; the fact is Ottawa doesn't always know best. I look forward to working with the other leadership candidates in this race, veteran Members of Parliament and our great team of new MPs.
I believe that in the next election the Conservative attack machine will be totally discredited and that our message of hope and real change for Canada will connect with Canadians from coast to coast to coast and we will be able to elect Canada's first NDP federal government.
Great answer!
And I think we have time for one final question which is, er, also mine. But one close to my heart:
As post-secondary education critic for the NDP in the last Parliament, I was proud to oppose the regressive Harper agenda on research and more broadly post-secondary education. It is critical to stand up for academic freedom and the value of all research in our institutions. The Harper government's ideological interference in research from the social sciences to the environment must be exposed and opposed. I believe that decisions about what projects receive government funding or tax incentives, or which projects are given the green light by regulators, should be free from political or bureaucratic interference.
A key theme of our campaign has been the growing inequality in Canada. That inequality is seen in the increased cost faced by students when it comes to tuitions and debilitating levels of student debt. I was the only candidate in our first all-candidate debate to speak of accessible education as part of my plan for an inclusive economy.
On February 1st, I was proud to participate in the CFS National Day of Action where I stood in solidarity with students and called for:
-Increased federal funding for post-secondary education;
- A dedicated transfer of federal funds for post-secondary education backed by a Post-Secondary Education Act modelled on the Canada Health Act to guarantee standards of quality and accessibility;
-Lifting the cap in federal support for the PSSSP to ensure that more Aboriginal Canadians can access post-secondary education and participate in the Canadian economy
Hi Niki! Thanks so much for dropping by babble. BTW, I saw you at the CJPME town hall last Thursday, but didn't get a chance to say hi. Thank you so much for earning an A+ from them for your positions on the Middle East.
In our all-candidate's debate in Montreal I also expressed my solidarity with the students in Quebec who are calling for affordable and accessible education.
I believe that education is key to moving forward - and the priority must be to support our post-secondary education system and make it affordable and accessible to all.
Well that's a great note to end on! Thank you, Niki!
Kim! It was great to see you there! I feel it is critical to speak out for peace and justice in the Middle East. I also believe it is essential that our party continues to advocate for justice for Palestinians, and for peace in the Middle East and around the world.
I couldn't agree more, Unionist.
Niki, it was so wonderful having you on babble. Thank you so much for dropping by and answering our questions. Don't be a stranger.
Thank you for having me! It was a pleasure to be on and discuss a range of critical topics for our party! I look forward to keeping in touch.
Now, if only we could get some of the candidates on the same thread at the same time!
Unionist - still dreaming no little dreams.
Maybe next time.
I'm sorry I missed this. Niki, you gave some great answers, particularly on foreign policy questions. Thank you so much for answering one of mine. Based on your answers, I feel confident moving you up to my top three ballot choice.
Harrumph. My submitted question did not get asked. Harrumph, I say.
Niki did a terrific job of explaining her approach. I have already sent her one cheque and wiil send her another. She deserves support for her courage in entering the race, and for presenting the new face of the NDP to Canadians.
I guess you forgot about Jack Layton and Dawn Black's plan to keep Canadian soldiers in Afghanistan to protect NGOs and UN workers after the combat mission ended.
Did you not vote twice for the Libya mission? The first vote being the initial mission and the second vote being the 1st 90 day extension of the initial mission?
yeah she forgot to mention voting yes the first time - the one that really counted.
Niki Ashton did a great job today.
Thanks Niki and everyone. I'm liking Niki for leader. And PM!
Short term memory, common trait in all politicians.
Hey Niki,
When was the last time you checked in on the 'New Libya' you helped bomb into being?
http://www.informationliberation.com/?id=38655
http://news.sky.com/home/world-news/article/16181894
Canadian too..
Is it me or does it seem like most NDP candidates forget about what really happen or was said about Afghanistan over the last decade or Libya over the last year?
I can't really blame Niki about Afghanistan because of her age but Libya she should know better.
It is considered bad form to even raise the issue. The NDP are good and when they are not, it is just a mistake, usually blamed on others. Besides, the others are always worse, right? Libya is already forgotten. Have you heard any regrets from them? They are already on to Syria with the NDP leader excoriating Minister Baird for not going further sooner. He closed the Canadian embassy in Syria yesterday, whereas according to Helene Laverdiere:
'We have been asking the government for weeks now to recall the Canadian ambassador. We still think it would have been a good move. It would have sent a statement to the Assad regime to recall the ambassador and could have been done weeks ago..'
so you see the shock troops of Canadian imperialism, the NDP, is one step ahead of the CONS. And so imperialism marches on...
'a party of the working class', run by the middle class, in the interest of the ruling class
Yeesh. Make your point and move on...