Should Canadians worry about an NDP-led government in Ottawa?

As we head into the final weekend of the election campaign, only one thing is for certain barring an unforeseen collapse, Jack Layton will be a more prominent figure on Parliament Hill.

In an effort to halt the NDP surge, right-leaning pundits, taking the lead from the current trifecta of political parties, have done their best to propagate angst about the prospects of a Layton-led government.

Toronto Sun Reporter Susan Levy "piled-on" and wrote about Layton's spendthrift ways and keenness for pageantry while on Toronto's City Council.

"Whatever pet cause he was zealously promoting - the environment, the homeless or himself - money was no object to this relentless spender," she wrote.

" . . . this folks is what Canadians can look forward to if the Patron Saint of Many Causes finds himself in a position of power, or heaven forbid, prime minister: shameless theatrics, A Sky's the Limit attitude when it comes to spending on the environment and the downtrodden; A Unions Rule mentality and most of all Taxes, Taxes and more Taxes."

University of British Columbia political scientist Michael Byers mocks the opposition attacks.

"This week's attack ads seek to tap into that same primordial anxiety about the unknown. We're told that the NDP platform is "science fiction," that an NDP government would be "amateur hour," that Jack Layton eats babies," he wrote on his website.

"OK, I made that last part up - though on close examination, the other claims are just as ridiculous."

Byers argues New Democrats have formed provincial governments for decades across the country, and have generally succeeded in addressing peoples' needs and interests while, at the same time, delivering balanced budgets.

He said Canadians should expect a Layton government to have an ambitious but pragmatic governing agenda.

"Expect Layton to adhere to his commitment to balance the federal budget within the next four years, by returning the corporate tax rate to the 2008 level and eliminating the roughly $2 billion in subsidies to the oil sands," he wrote.

"Expect investments in employment insurance, affordable housing and health care. Expect a new emphasis on green jobs, with significant investments in environmental retrofits and public transportation. Expect a cap-and-trade system . . . expect legislation on proportional representation."

Right-leaning politicos may not like it, but whether he becomes the official leader of her majesty's loyal Opposition, or somehow Canada's 23rd prime minister, Layton and the NDP will have earned the right to have an effect on Canada's political agenda.

(Reuters Photo)