Phase II

It hasn't taken long for the NDP to follow up its English-language ads unveiled last week with a new set in French: "Equité Salariale" and "Changement". While the latter looks to be fairly similar to the Change ad in English, the former which focuses on pay equity looks to be a strong addition to the NDP's message - and indeed may be worth translating for broader distribution nationally.

Here's a rough translation of "Equité Salariale":

Let me ask you a question. Do you believe that a woman should receive equal pay for work of equal value?

I think so. But Stephen Harper's budget attacks the right to pay equity. And Liberal leader Michael Ignatieff chose to stand with Stephen Harper against pay equity.

I expected better from a new Liberal leader. But happily, the NDP is there to defend people like you and me. Visit npd.ca to find out more.

For those wondering: yes, "happily" is a translation of "heureusement", in a seeming reference to Bloc campaigns of yore.

One other interesting element to note is that unlike the English ads, neither of the French ads focus on Jack Layton personally. That strikes me as surprising given that Layton has actually fared better in Quebec than elsewhere in best-PM polling - but it may make sense if the NDP has concluded that it's the party brand rather than Layton's that has the most room for growth among its French broadcast audience.

Update: The ads are now available from the NDP's French site.