Promises and policies
A look at what’s on the table in the coming election
SIGNY HOLMES STAFF
You may or may not be aware that there’s a federal election coming up. Normally that statement would be laden with sarcasm, but this time around, with holidays, family, friends and food, it wouldn’t be too hard to lose track of a bunch of politicians scrambling madly about in full panic mode. For those of you who just aren’t sure who’s promising this and who’s advocating that, and who don’t want to wade through the insults and tap-dancing, here’s a brief sampling from the four parties that have candidates registered to run in every Manitoba riding.
The Liberal Party
Leader Paul Martin
Current number of seats held/Seats won in 2004 133/135
Current number of seats held in Manitoba 3
Website www.liberal.ca
Education:
The Liberals have said they will increase access to post-secondary education through a new 50/50 Plan under which the government will pay for half of an undergraduate student’s first-year tuition, and half of a student’s graduating year tuition. They also want to introduce the Lester B. Pearson Scholarships, which would be awarded to 25 Canadian students to study abroad and 50 international students to study in Canada each year. They have also said they will work with the provinces, territories and other partners to review Canada’s system of student financial assistance with the goal of providing lower interest rate costs for students.
Taxation:
The Liberal government says that they are focusing on lowering personal income taxes, a move they say is intended to give Canadians choice and the ability to set their own priorities when it comes to money. Their 2005 budget increased non-taxable income to $10,000, a change they say will save 860,000 people from paying taxes.
Environment:
The Liberals have announced a $5 billion plan to support a sustainable environment. They have also said they aim to increase support for research and development of wind energy and that they plan to work with provinces and territories to establish rules and common policies for wind power. The Liberals have said that clean air is a priority for them and that they are providing $100 million for the construction of ethanol plants.
Other issues:
Paul Martin’s government has reintroduced legislation decriminalizing small quantities of marijuana and this year passed the bill that redefined marriage. Martin has also announced that a Liberal government would remove the $975 landing fee for immigrants to Canada. Martin withdrew from the missile defence system proposed by the United States, but says the government has committed nearly $13 billion in new money for defence. The Liberal website describes Canada and the United States as having “the world’s most successful trading relationship” and refers to the North American Free Trade Agreement as a success. The Liberals say they have a concrete 10-year plan to strengthen the current health-care system, with a focus on shorter waiting times and more doctors and nurses.
“In Canada today, our economy is strong. Deficits are history. Unemployment is lower than it has been in 30 years. But this is no time to take anything for granted. It’s time to build on what we have accomplished together.”
- Paul Martin
The New Democratic Party
Leader Jack Layton
Current number of seats held/Seats won in 2004 18/19
Current number of seats held in Manitoba 3
Website www.ndp.ca
Education:
The NDP say their rewritten budget includes $1.5 billion for cheaper tuition and worker training. They criticize the fact that Canada is one of only two out of 29 industrialized nations that have no national system of needs-based grants for students.
Taxation:
The NDP say they got Martin to cancel $4.6 billion in what they term “corporate tax giveaways” so the money could be put toward areas such as reductions in tuition fees. Though some may say the NDP are known more for their dedication to social programs than their fiscal responsibility, the NDP point to the balanced budget adopted in June, which contains several changes they negotiated.
Environment:
Layton says an NDP plan for the environment would include a Clean Water Act, Clean Air Act and Polluter Pay Act, and would aim to reduce home energy consumption, which would reduce heating bills. They say they would commit to a 25 per cent reduction in greenhouse gases by 2020.
Other issues:
The NDP do not favour a punitive approach to dealing with marijuana. They would like to freeze immigration fees, eliminate the head tax and increase total immigration. Their military priority, they say, is peacekeeping, and they have stated that Canada should cancel debts owed by third-world countries. They oppose private health care.
“The NDP is about getting results for people. You saw the difference we made in the last Parliament, and there’s more to do . . . . I think it’s time.”
- Jack Layton
The Conservative Party
Leader Stephen Harper
Current number of seats held/Seats won in 2004 98/99
Current number of seats held in Manitoba 7
Website www.conservative.ca
Education:
The Conservatives say they will implement a tax deduction of up to $500 per year for textbooks and improve the Canada Student Loans Program by working with the provinces. One goal would be to lower the expected parental contribution rates for some income brackets. A focus in the Conservative policy has been to improve access to trades and apprenticeships, as they say there are 20,000 skilled trades positions that are currently vacant. Their plan includes tax deductions similar to those offered for textbooks on tools, $1,000 incentive grants that would total $80 million per year and tax credits to employers who hire apprentices.
Taxation:
The main change to tax policy offered by the Conservatives is an immediate drop in the GST from seven per cent to six per cent, followed by a drop to five per cent five years later. While this second drop would presumably require re-election of a Conservative government, the immediate drop would, according to the party, save Canadians $4.5 billion, though adjustments to other forms of taxation may occur. For students, the Conservatives say the first $10,000 of student scholarships and bursaries would be exempt from taxation.
Environment:
The Conservatives say they would require five per cent renewable fuel content in our fuel by 2010, rather than the current figure of less than one per cent. They say that this will reduce greenhouse gas emissions while also boosting demand for the wheat, corn and canola needed for ethanol. The plan for cleaner air also includes a 16 per cent tax credit on transit passes for buses, light-rail and subways.
Other issues:
Harper has said he would like another vote on the issue of same-sex marriage. The Conservatives advocate “getting tough with drug crime,” and would impose mandatory minimum prison sentences of at least two years for many drug-related offences. They are strongly opposed to legalizing marijuana. The Conservatives say they would halve the landing fee for immigrants and work to improve assessment and recognition of foreign credentials. They say they will add to Quebec’s armed forces and to defence spending in general. The Conservatives also say they will defend primary producers in trade disputes and look at opening up new markets in the Asia-Pacific Region. They say they will work to reduce patient wait times and increase the number of doctors and nurses.
“Canada needs a new government to bring accountability to Ottawa, to get on with addressing the real concerns of ordinary working people and their families.”
- Stephen Harper
The Green Party
Leader Jim Harris
Current number of seats held/Seats won in 2004 0/0
Current number of seats held in Manitoba 0
Website www.greenparty.ca
Education:
The Greens say they will press the government to work with the provinces and post-secondary institutions to reduce tuition, harmonize government programs into a single needs-based grant program and increase investment in post-secondary education. They say they will also work to boost participation in apprenticeships.
Taxation:
The Green party is critical of the reduction of corporate taxes while corporate profits have been increasing. They would like to shift taxes onto pollution and what they term non-sustainable products. Their strategy would be to tax harmful product and production processes and use this money to fund social programs. The Green party say they would work to reduce taxes for Canadians earning less than $45,000 per year, and that they would work to see a decrease in reliance on gambling revenues by provincial governments.
Environment:
The Greens make the environment a high priority and say that they believe clean air, soil and water are a basic right for all Canadians. They say they would work to regulate and heavily tax harmful chemicals, which would push companies to come up with safer alternatives. They say they would also work to replace clear-cutting with more sustainable methods of wood harvesting. They would like to prevent the mass export of fresh water.
Other issues:
The Green party claims it will work to remove barriers to recognizing the professional credentials of immigrants. They want to see Canada declared a military nuclear-free zone and focus on peacekeeping and humanitarian aid. They say that they support “fair trade, not free trade” and will work to renegotiate our trade agreements to protect human rights and ecosystems. They strongly oppose two-tier health care.
“The Green party can restore Canadian values of fairness, equality and justice needed to bridge the growing gap between government and citizens, and between businesses and the communities in which they operate.”
- Jim Harris
