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Liberal Party of Canada Platform

Leader: Paul Martin

Paul Martin has attempted to distinguish himself from his predecessor Jean Chretien by promising to address the democratic deficit and government accountability. Health care and municipalities have been established as priorities for Martin's campaign.

Health Care

The Liberals have introduced a new $9 billion, 5-year program for medicare reforms. This plan includes:

• A waiting times reduction strategy, focused on five critical areas – cancer, joint replacement, sight restoration, heart, and diagnostic imaging
• Primary care reform to ensure all Canadians have access to a health care provider 24 hours a day
• Increasing spaces in colleges and universities to deal with the shortage of health care providers
• The establishment of a national home-care program
• A national pharmaceuticals strategy to introduce a new drug coverage plan
• Better enforcement of the Canada Health Act
• An additional $3 billion to the provinces in the next 2 years

Same-sex Marriage

The Liberal government under Chretien posed a reference to the Supreme Court on whether draft legislation allowing same-sex marriages is constitutional. The Martin government has asked the hearing until the fall. The Liberals would allow a free vote in the House of Commons on this issue.

Defence

The Liberals have promised more people and resources for the Canadian Forces, including buying new armoured vehicles and replacements for the Sea King helicopters. They have introduced Canada's first national security policy to shape the government's actions, with an emphasis on strengthening North American security. The 2004 budget saw reforms to defence spending:

• An additional $250 million for Afghanistan and the war on terror
• $50 million for Canada 's participation in Haiti
• $650 million over 5 years to address security priorities
• Tax exemptions for Canadian Forces personnel while serving on high-risk international missions

Marijuana

The Liberals are in favour of decriminalizing small amounts of marijuana. They introduced legislation to that effect in February.

Municipalities

In the 2004 Budget, the Liberals introduced reforms for municipalities:

• They are provided with GST relief that will mean up to $7 billion over the next 10 years
• $350 million over 5 years to help fund public transit in Toronto
• Promises to examine sharing of gas tax revenues

Plans for infrastructure programs and affordable housing are also promised by the Liberals. Programs to strengthen and support not-for-profit organizations, small businesses, and entrepreneurs are also promised.

Crime

The Liberals have promised to reinstate child protection legislation. They also want to fight child exploitation on the internet to protect the safety of children.

Gun Registry

The Liberals have plans to modify the $1 billion dollar gun registry:

• Waiving registration fees
• Capping spending at $25 million per year
• Reduced penalties

The Liberals will also stiffen jail penalties for criminals who use guns, and give judges more latitude in domestic disputes that involve guns.

Democratic Reform and Accountability

The Liberals have said they are open to a more democratic and accountable system of government. Their proposed reforms include:

• More free votes for MPs
• Senate reform
• Parliamentary involvement in the appointment of Supreme Court Justices
• Ethics Commissioners for government
• Internal auditing of government spending
• Re-establishment of the Office of the Comptroller General of Canada and comptrollers to sign off on all government spending
• Expenditure review of all government programs

Taxes

The Liberals' priority is to balance the books while providing adequate funding for health care and education. Improved tax fairness for Canadian Forces personnel and people with disabilities is promised.

Foreign Policy

The Liberals promise public input into a foreign policy review. They promise continued support of international organizations such as the United Nations. They plan to make reforms in the following areas:

• Improve relations with the United States
• Introduce legislation to enable the export of lower-cost pharmaceuticals to developing countries
• Increase of $248 million in international aid

Immigration

The Liberals are interested in encouraging immigration of skilled workers:

• Speed up recognition of foreign credentials and prior work experience
• $15 million annually to enhance language training for skilled immigrants
• Encourage foreign-trained doctors to work in Canada

Environment

The Liberals have promised to form partnerships to work on environmental issues. They will also increase funding to help improve the environment:

• Will work with the provinces on a climate change plan in accordance with the Kyoto agreements
• Will work with the USA on cross-border issues
• $4 billion over 10 years to clean contaminated sites, with additional funding to clean up non-federal sites
• New funding to support the development of new environmental technologies
• Encourage Canadians to reduce their emissions by 20% through the “one-tonne challenge”

Aboriginals

The Liberals have promised to work with the Aboriginals and increase funding to improve their programs:

• Invest in the Aboriginal Human Resources Development Strategy and the Urban Aboriginal Strategy
• Establish an independent Centre for First Nations Governance

The Liberal government also created a new Cabinet Committee on Aboriginal Affairs.

Trade

The Liberals have promised to encourage better relationships with the United States , as well strengthen ties to China , India , and Brazil .

Education

The Liberals will re-evaluate Canada 's student loans programs and make changes in the following areas:

• Provide a new grant of $3,000 to first year post-secondary students from low income families
• Raise the weekly loan ceiling in Canada Student Loans program from $165 to $210
• Increase income thresholds for determining eligibility for student loans
• Increase the maximum amount of debt reduction for students facing financial difficulty to $26,000

The Liberals have also introduced learning grants for young families. They have promised to provide more worker training and update employment benefits.

Child Care

The Liberals have promised reforms in the following areas:

• Increase the size of the GST tax credit for low-income families
• Expand tax credits for caregivers who stay at home

The Economy

The Liberals have emphasized their 6 consecutive budget surpluses. They promise to keep interest rates low and further reduce taxes. Investment in education, technology, and the collection of reserve funds for emergencies are also promised. They have promised to introduce a debt repayment plan, with the goal of lowering the national debt to 25% of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

Mapleleafweb Links

• 2004 Liberal Throne Speech
• 2003 Federal Liberal Budget
• 2002 Liberal Throne Speech
• 2001 Federal Liberal Budget
• Canada, the UN and the War in Iraq
• Legacy of PM Chretien

External Links

• Liberal Party of Canada Website
• Paul Martin Website

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This page was last modified: August 10, 2007