AYOUB ANSARI/KHALID MAGRAM
East Toronto Observer
Throughout the election campaign, Toronto-Danforth MP and federal NDP Leader Jack Layton said he was running to be prime minister.
Although, Layton did not win the top job, it did not stop him for reiterating his point on the election night.
“My name is Jack Layton, and to put ordinary families first I ran for prime minister,” he said.
Layton campaigned in over 100 ridings, took part in 84 events and held 45 rallies.
Media even dubbed the plane he used to criss-cross the country ‘Kitchen Air’ because of his repeated phrase, “We’ll defend you at the kitchen table, not the boardroom table.”
In his home riding, Layton sailed to victory on election night, garnering 20,416 votes, almost 45 per cent.
He defeated his closest rival, rookie Liberal Andrew Lang by more than 7,000 votes.
Nationally, his New Democrats won 37 seats, up eight from the 2006 election, but still short of what they were expecting.
“We didn’t quite get the gold medal this election, but we did give it our best shot and it was a very good shot,” he said.
Layton arrived at the NDP election night headquarters, the downtown club Kool Haus, at 8:30 p.m., accompanied by his wife, Olivia Chow, NDP MP for Trinity-Spadina.
A small but loud crowd of exuberant supporters carrying banners and chanting “strong leader” greeted the couple.
Cameras flashed intermittently, and the couple briefly paused for the media before heading upstairs to watch the results.
Ambiance inside the hall was electric, especially when the crowd learned about the increased number of NDP MPs being sent to the 40th parliament.
There was singing by Peter Katz, winner of the CBC Galaxie Rising Star Award, and a highlight reel of the NDP campaign playing on a big screen.
Just before midnight, the moment all were waiting for arrived when Layton delivered a speech to hundreds of party enthusiast – of all ages and backgrounds.
“We put concerns of working families front and centre in this election,” Layton said. “This is what New Democrats do, day in and day out, and that’s what we’re going to do in the next Parliament.”
Layton thanked his supporters and assured Toronto-Danforth residents he will be there for his constituents.
“It is an honour to serve you, and I’ll do all I can for our riding,” he said, to a loud applause.
Peter Tabuns, the NDP representative for the riding at the provincial level was present at the event, and said he was happy the riding has a strong voice at the federal level.
“Jack’s victory in Toronto-Danforth is good for this community,” he said.
