Federal NDP leadership candidate Brian Topp stood by his suggestion to raise income taxes for Canada’s wealthiest during a visit to Nelson Sunday.
Some pundits feel the former party president’s recent pledge to make high earners pay more doomed his chances, but Topp says he doesn’t regret it.
“There are those who think raising these issues is grabbing the third rail and giving it a big hug,” he admitted. “But the time has come to talk about inequality in Canada … Was that a political blunder? We’ll see. Is it high time to have that debate in Canada? Yes, it is. I’m proud I helped trigger that debate.”
Topp met party faithful at the Best Western Baker Street Inn as part of an ongoing countrywide tour. He has the backing of Nelson-Creston MLA Michelle Mungall.
Topp said he sympathizes with participants in the Occupy movement, including those in Nelson, who have taken to the streets to protest economic disparities.
“I think they are helping contribute to an important tipping point: when the mainstream of Canadian society concludes we’re on the wrong track with an approach that gives billions in tax giveaways to the people who need them the least, and has little to offer the people who need help the most,” he said.
Topp, one of eight candidates seeking the leadership, is considered amongst the frontrunners. He also has the support of former leader Ed Broadbent.
However, he says replacing the late Jack Layton is impossible.
“All you can really do is continue his work. That’s what we’re doing. We sorely miss him, but I think the party and caucus are holding together quite nicely, thank you. We’re holding up in the polls, we’re holding up well in terms of our work in parliament.”
Topp said the party is debating what approach to use in tackling the governing Conservatives. He disagrees with those who say a “beat ‘em up, take ‘em on” approach is required — describing it as “attempting to use the Conservative playbook against the Conservatives.”
He said that risks alienating traditional NDP supporters. Instead, he feels for every criticism they make, they should provide a positive alternative.
“Then when people look at our campaign they go ‘Fundamentally, you’re being positive and you’re giving me a reason to vote as oppose to a reason to be angry at someone else.’”
Topp, who was Roy Romanow’s deputy chief of staff in Saskatchewan in the 1990s, added that should the NDP win, they must be competent in office.
“We must not defeat ourselves in office. We don’t want to go through the painful process of learning to be pilots in midair.”
He also said the NDP does not have to change its stripes to form government.
“I don’t think we have to become Liberals to win. We don’t have to become what we’re fighting against. I think we can get a mandate as New Democrats. We can govern consistently with principles and values of the NDP.”
The party picks its new leader March 24.