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So-Called Working Families vs. the NDP

For years now, the NDP have issued platform after platform on both the provincial and federal levels using the term "Working Families". It has been a key part of NDP communications strategies. In the current provincial election in Ontario, the phrase "Working Families" is once again well used.

Consequently, it must have been a shock to the NDP when the so-called Working Families Coalition calls up and says the NDP should not be using the phrase "Working Families" because that phase belongs to the Coalition!

This story was reported by Graham Murray and is available in Inside Queen's Park as well as Ian Urquhart in the Toronto Star. Here is what Urquhart wrote in the Toronto Star on September 17th:

On July 20, Pat Dillon of the provincial building trades council wrote an accusatory letter to Michael Lewis, brother of former provincial NDP leader Stephen and a former Steelworkers official. . .

Dillon also complained that the NDP had appropriated the "working families" brand name for its own campaign slogan ("a fair deal for working families").

Lewis responded in writing last week with a stinging rebuttal that said only the NDP could be counted on to advance labour's agenda.

"There are some unions that see things differently, some who would support the Liberals for short-term gains," wrote Lewis.

"I believe that these unions are mistaken if they think that this promotes the interests of working families."

Lewis also mocked Dillon's suggestion that the NDP had stolen the "working families" brand.

"Long before the working families coalition was a gleam in Don Guy's eye, the NDP has been speaking about and fighting for working families right across Canada," wrote Lewis.

Don Guy is the Liberal campaign director. He is also president of a polling firm that has done work for the working families coalition.

Working Families Watch has spoken with Michael Lewis about this issue.

There are obvious explanations for why the Working Families Coalition picked this fight with the NDP. All of them point to the fact that the Coalition actually wants to only get Liberals elected. What other reasonable explanation is there for the fact that this organization is picking fights with the NDP over a core piece of the NDP communications plan?

Since the Working Families Coalition has proven itself to be anti-NDP and anti-PC, as well as very pro-Liberal - and it is run by senior Liberals - how can it be called anything but a Liberal front?

If you have a copy of the letter or any further information on this issue, please feel free to contact Working Families Watch at anas@workingfamilieswatch.ca