United Steelworkers across the country, including those here in Sudbury, have agreed to support Brian Topp in his quest for leadership of the federal NDP party — "the leadership race none of us wanted".
“We're working to replace somebody that we all wanted to work with,” Topp said while visiting the Steelworkers Hall Dec. 15.
Topp worked closely with Jack Layton prior to his death while he was serving as president of the national NDP and as national campaign director in 2006 and 2008.
The Longueuil, Que., native, who now resides in Toronto with his wife and two sons, is a union activist with ACTRA Toronto and has served as deputy chief of staff in Saskatchewan.
His decision to run for Layton's position was sparked by the desire to carry on where the former leader left off.
“The NDP is on the march, there's no doubt about that,” Topp said. “What we can do, and that's what the Steelworkers want to do too, is carry on where he left off. Get the job done, take on the Harper government and hold it accountable and replace it. I'm looking forward to doing that.”
According to Topp, it's something all the federal leadership candidates want.
“It makes people think our debates are boring because we all get along,” Topp said.
Steelworkers Local 6500 president Rick Bertrand said Topp is the “perfect candidate” for the job.
“(Topp) was beside (Layton) from the beginning, and we see already know that he supports the north,” Bertrand said. “We see Brian doing the same — coming up to northern Ontario and supporting the workers here. It's very important we have somebody at the federal level that doesn't forget about the workers in Ontario, and especially here in northern Ontario.”
While Bertrand said he didn't see anything wrong in the other candidates, Topp seemed like the best choice.
“I see a bit of Jack in Brian,” Bertrand said. “He's always been there for the workers.”
Other key issues Topp is pressing for, according to briantopp.ca, is reducing income inequality by restoring balance to Canada’s tax system and social democracy.
Posted by Jenny Jelen
