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Bloc Quebecois Platform

The Bloc is a left-wing orientated, ideologically driven, and regionally based political party. The Bloc tends to supports social democratic principles and Quebec nationalist policies. The party is orientated towards Quebec with little or no support outside the region.

Policy Overview

Leader: Gilles Duceppe 

The primary goal of the Bloc Quebecois is an independent Quebec, and most of their policies are tied to that concept. They believe that, until sovereignty is achieved, the federal government should transfer control of important issues to the provinces.

Health Care  

The Bloc Quebecois intends to create an independent health care system, run by Quebec . They promise to maintain universal health care. They oppose any federal intrusion into health care, and believe the federal government should increase money transferred to Quebec.

Same-sex Marriage

The majority of Bloc Quebecois MPs are in favour of allowing same-sex couples to marry. The Bloc Quebecois have promised to allow a free vote in Parliament on the issue.

Defence

The Bloc Quebecois has suggested that the Canadian military be devoted to peacekeeping missions. They have proposed the following reforms:

• A review of spending on military equipment over $100 million
• Parliament should vote on whether to send troops to zones of conflict and war
• Forbid Canadian soldiers to participate in wars deemed to violate international law

Marijuana

The Bloc Quebecois favours decriminalization of small amounts of marijuana. They would impose fines, but no criminal record. Drug prevention and awareness programs would be a priority.

Municipalities

The Bloc Quebecois wants to see increased federal funding in municipalities. They have promised 1% of federal government spending to affordable housing.

Crime

The Bloc Quebecois sees the rehabilitation of young offenders as a priority. They reject the “Loi sur les jeunes contrevenants” imposed by Ottawa .

Gun Registry

The Bloc Quebecois favours maintaining the Gun Registry. They would, however, ask for an independent inquiry into the Liberal mismanagement and cost overruns of the program.

Democratic Reform and Accountability

The main goal of the Bloc Quebecois is to promote sovereignty and create a country called Quebec. Therefore, any federal guidelines regarding health, education, and family are considered a democratic deficit. Democratic reform can only be achieved by creating a sovereign Quebec.

The Bloc Quebecois has also suggested the following proposals:

• Government institutions should have no religious affiliation
• The state must have influence in society and be a partner with all citizens
• An accountable, transparent, and honest government

Taxes

The Bloc Quebecois proposes that Quebec should recover millions of dollars paid in taxes to Ottawa because the two levels of government have resulted in the duplication of many services. They propose the following reforms:

• Income tax cuts for those in lower-income brackets, and heavier taxes on wealthier citizens
• Enable Quebecois to choose in terms of taxation priorities
• A surtax on large oil company profits
• Federal transfers to the Quebec government so they can set up parental leave programs, Old Age pensions, and low-cost daycare programs

Foreign Policy

The main goal of the Bloc Quebecois is to represent Quebec to the rest of the world. The party takes credit for keeping Canada out of the Iraq war in 2003. Conflict resolution, peacekeeping, defence of human rights, and protection of the environment are priorities of the Bloc's foreign policy. They support the following reforms:

• An increase in aid to Third World Countries
• International cooperation in education, public health, sustainability, and good governance
• Do not support a missile-defence system with the USA
• Support for an international treaty banning the militarization of space

Immigration

The Bloc Quebecois promises that a sovereign Quebec would promote immigration to attract immigrants to all regions of Quebec. They would promote cultural diversity through the creation of a National Institution.

Environment

The Bloc supports economic growth while practicing environmental responsibility. They would ratify the Kyoto Protocol and initiate the following reforms:

• Promote public transportation and the use of green cars
• Make the preservation of fresh water a priority
• Mandatory labeling of all genetically-modified products
• Give a greater role to Environment Canada and Health Canada in taking the necessary measures to protect the health of citizens in light of increasing environmental problems
• Reduce greenhouse effect pollutants
• Invest in wind energy, hydro-electric energy, and the Hibernia project (off-shore oil), all of which would also create jobs
• Promote a tax on non-renewable energy sources and provide incentives for pollution industries to reduce emissions

Aboriginals

The Bloc recognizes Aboriginal rights and nations. They have promised to negotiate social and economic contracts between Quebec and First Nations groups.

Trade

The Bloc believes that the federal government should allow Quebec an equal partnership in international trade agreements where Quebec interests are at stake. They have proposed the following reforms:

• Creation of a Free Trade Zone of the Americas, with the assurance of wealth distribution and a focus on the common good rather than special interests
• All free trade agreements should be approved by the House of Commons
• Ensure that North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) tribunals are open and accountable
• Develop better plans for the softwood lumber dispute and the fisheries
• Adopt a common currency of the Americas and ensure each country can adapt to it
• Condemnation of inequitable policies of the World Band and International Monetary Fund

Education

Education is a priority for the Bloc Quebecois. They would lobby Ottawa to increase transfers for post-secondary education. They have also proposed the following reforms:

• Full GST reimbursement for all public education institutions
• Removal of restrictions that prevent international students from working while in school
• Students that have been awarded bursaries should be exempt from certain restrictions if they leave school due to health reasons or maternity leave

Child Care

The Bloc wants the federal government to make fiscal transfers to Quebec so the province can implement and maintain the following programs:

• Generous parental-leave and compassionate-leave programs
• Low-cost daycare systems

The Bloc claims that Ottawa owes Quebec money by not contributing to Quebec 's low-cost daycare system, and demands that money be transferred.

The Economy  

The Bloc believes that provinces should have more control over their own economies. They have proposed the following reforms:

• $8 billion per year federal transfers to the provinces to eliminate the fiscal imbalance
• A more generous Employment Insurance that would reach more workers (including self-employed and seasonal workers) and scale back existing surpluses
• Eliminate the gasoline surtax
• A new infrastructure rebuilding program to be run by the Quebec government

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