Post by NewsHound on Jun 2, 2004 19:45:32 GMT -4
For those of you who are interested, here are the comments by the major political leaders on 12 major issues:
#1 - Health Care
Harper
Offer new federally administered pharmacare plan to lower the cost of expensive prescription drugs. Press for faster processing of drug approvals. Support health research and innovation. Ban embryonic research for at least three years, and encourage granting agencies to focus on more promising adult (post-natal) stem cell research
Layton
Launch a national child-care plan, a national not-for-profit homecare program for those caring for elderly or disabled relatives, and a national pharmacare program to lower the cost of prescription drugs by having the federal government buy them in bulk. Shorten the length of patent protection for the makers of expensive new drugs. Ban unhealthy trans-fatty acids from prepared and fast foods and restore funding to the ParticipAction pro-exercise program.
Martin
Set up national home-care program to cover the costs of rehabilitation and drugs until a new national pharmacare strategy can be worked out with the provinces, with 2006 target date. Create new spaces for students in medical schools and fast-track up to 1,000 immigrants with medical degrees from abroad through the accreditation process. Work with the new national Health Council to develop specific, measurable targets for shorter hospital waiting times and shorten waits by 2009. Improve public health system to deal with crises similar to the SARS outbreak.
----------
#2 - Economy
Harper
Redirect industrial subsidies toward lower taxes and increased research and development. Relax foreign ownership rules on Canadian industry in the telecommunications, broadcast distribution and airline industry. Refocus regional development agencies on attracting new private sector investments. Promote the viability of private businesses by removing interprovincial trade barriers and lobbying for a reduction of international trade barriers and tariffs.
Layton
Grow the economy and employment by means of a National Environmental Infrastructure Program that would create "green" jobs fixing up municipal water and sewerage systems. Gradually replace top-down regional development agencies with bottom-up, local community economic development agencies.
Martin
Use the taxation system, the Business Development Bank of Canada, the scientific community and regional development initiatives to boost research and development to make Canadian business more innovative and competitive. Continue to lower the debt-to-GDP ratio, with the goal of keeping interest rates low and being able to respond to emergencies more quickly and without breaking the bank.
--------
#3 - Regional Issues
Harper
Reduce federal gas taxes if provinces agree to use this tax room to fund infrastructure in provincial and municipal jurisdictions.
Layton
Give cities five cents from the federal tax on every litre of gas sold. Bring in a national public transit strategy to help municipalities upgrade public transit, a new tax benefit for employers who provide transit passes to their employees, and grants to municipal transit authorities for the purpose of lowering transit fares. Implement a National Housing Strategy that would devote at least 1% of the federal program budget to building non-profit, affordable housing, and provide low-interest loans to provincial governments, municipal housing authorities and co-op housing organizations.
Martin
Transfer $2 billion a year to municipalities from federal gas tax revenues, amounting to five cents from every litre of gas sold, with the funding beginning within five years. Implement promise to rebate GST to cities, saving them $7 billion over 10 years. Invest up to $1.5 billion more over the next five years, on top of current funding, to stimulate the growth of assisted housing. Ensure big cities and small communities receive a fair share in infrastructure spending and Green Municipal Funds. Give municipalities a voice on immigration policy, with a view to attracting new residents.
--------
#4 - Defence
Harper
Participate in exploring a North American Missile Defence system in conjunction with the United States, perhaps with NATO in charge.
Layton
Keep Canada out of the National Missile Defence program.
Martin
Look at joining the National Missile Defence program designed by the United States, on the grounds that such high-tech security for the two countries is "indivisible."
--------
#5 - Education
Harper
Eliminate inequities between single and dual income families and introduce a deduction for dependent children. Support the creation of a matrimonial property code to protect spouses and children in cases of marriage breakdown.
Layton
As well as building more affordable housing, launch a national not-for-profit homecare program for those caring for elderly or disabled relatives, to reduce stress on families.
Martin
Bring in a new grant system for low-income students, and contribute to a learning account for young children in low-income families.
--------
#6 - Workplace
Harper
No stated policy found.
Layton
Enhance disability supports by building an integrated and adequate income safety net, improving training and education, and promoting paid work and volunteer opportunities for persons with disabilities.
Martin
Provide more support for disabled Canadians, helping them enter the workplace and reforming how the tax system treats them.
--------
#7 - Border Issues
Harper
Establish a Perimeter Security Agency by combining the Customs Agency with a revitalized Coast Guard, Ports Police and Air Transport Security Agency to ensure efficient and effective sharing of information with Canada's North American partners.
Layton
Safeguard civil liberties so that Canadians from ethnic communities are not targeted unfairly by the Anti-terrorism bill, and all Canadians can feel free to express legitimate dissent.
Martin
Enforce Anti-Terrorism Bill on grounds that Canada's security is "indivisible" from that of the U.S.
----------
#8 - Justice
Harper
Oppose the decriminalization of marijuana.
Layton
Fully decriminalize marijuana while introducing a non-punitive education program to reduce adult marijuana use. Restrict personal use and production of the drug through regulations, not the Criminal Code.
Martin
Decriminalize possession of small amounts of marijuana
--------
#9 - Social Issues
Harper
Uphold the freedom of individuals and families to nurture aspects of culture that are important to them. Make French in Quebec and elsewhere in Canada a national priority. Affirm a federal role in the preservation of Canada's natural and historical heritage. Resolve outstanding redress issues of the Ukrainian-Canadian and Chinese-Canadian community. Restructure the CRTC, reducing its mandate to registration and/or marketing of bandwidth and to dealing with international communications negotiations. Negotiate a reciprocity agreement with the United States to create an open market in the licensing of television satellite distribution.
Layton
Safeguard the free flow of diverse opinion across Canada by fighting the concentration of media ownership, giving tax incentives to independent groups who operate community media agencies, ensuring the operating budget of the CBC doesn't go below $1 billion, and protecting culture in trade deals.
Martin
Enhance the Voluntary Sector Initiative to help strengthen not-for-profit organizations. Modernize our arts and culture policies and federal cultural institutions while continuing to reflect Canada's regional diversity and multiculturalism.
--------
#10 - Environment
Harper
Develop a national alternative energy strategy to increase the use of renewable energy and support innovative research and development.
Layton
Leverage the government's Petro-Canada stake to create a new Crown corporation for renewable energy that would encourage the use of alternative energy sources such as solar, wind, tidal and geothermal power, as well as ethanol and bio-diesel fuels. Change existing tax laws and tax credits that artificially lower the true costs of fossil fuels and nuclear energy, instead offering tax incentives for those who invest in renewable energy systems and research. Bring in mandatory fuel efficiency for all vehicles in a partnership with progressive and powerful American states. Bring in a National Energy Price Commission to monitor, review, and regulate the price of oil, gas and home heating fuel.
Martin
Continue funding federal research into alternative energy sources.
--------
#11 - Foreign Affairs
Harper
No stated policy found.
Layton
Push for binding rules in international trade agreements to protect human rights, labour standards, cultural diversity and the environment.
Martin
Push for stronger human rights laws around the world through trade negotiations, the Canada Corps, and existing programs to train foreign electoral, police and justice officials.
--------
#12 - Political Reform
Harper
Consider changes to electoral systems, including proportional representation; the single transferable ballot; fixed election dates; and the use of referendums. Bring in a system of voluntary party registration that will establish a permanent party membership list, so that only those registered in advance of fixed deadlines will be eligible to vote in nomination or leadership races.
Layton
Introduce some form of proportional representation.
Martin
No stated policy found.
#1 - Health Care
Harper
Offer new federally administered pharmacare plan to lower the cost of expensive prescription drugs. Press for faster processing of drug approvals. Support health research and innovation. Ban embryonic research for at least three years, and encourage granting agencies to focus on more promising adult (post-natal) stem cell research
Layton
Launch a national child-care plan, a national not-for-profit homecare program for those caring for elderly or disabled relatives, and a national pharmacare program to lower the cost of prescription drugs by having the federal government buy them in bulk. Shorten the length of patent protection for the makers of expensive new drugs. Ban unhealthy trans-fatty acids from prepared and fast foods and restore funding to the ParticipAction pro-exercise program.
Martin
Set up national home-care program to cover the costs of rehabilitation and drugs until a new national pharmacare strategy can be worked out with the provinces, with 2006 target date. Create new spaces for students in medical schools and fast-track up to 1,000 immigrants with medical degrees from abroad through the accreditation process. Work with the new national Health Council to develop specific, measurable targets for shorter hospital waiting times and shorten waits by 2009. Improve public health system to deal with crises similar to the SARS outbreak.
----------
#2 - Economy
Harper
Redirect industrial subsidies toward lower taxes and increased research and development. Relax foreign ownership rules on Canadian industry in the telecommunications, broadcast distribution and airline industry. Refocus regional development agencies on attracting new private sector investments. Promote the viability of private businesses by removing interprovincial trade barriers and lobbying for a reduction of international trade barriers and tariffs.
Layton
Grow the economy and employment by means of a National Environmental Infrastructure Program that would create "green" jobs fixing up municipal water and sewerage systems. Gradually replace top-down regional development agencies with bottom-up, local community economic development agencies.
Martin
Use the taxation system, the Business Development Bank of Canada, the scientific community and regional development initiatives to boost research and development to make Canadian business more innovative and competitive. Continue to lower the debt-to-GDP ratio, with the goal of keeping interest rates low and being able to respond to emergencies more quickly and without breaking the bank.
--------
#3 - Regional Issues
Harper
Reduce federal gas taxes if provinces agree to use this tax room to fund infrastructure in provincial and municipal jurisdictions.
Layton
Give cities five cents from the federal tax on every litre of gas sold. Bring in a national public transit strategy to help municipalities upgrade public transit, a new tax benefit for employers who provide transit passes to their employees, and grants to municipal transit authorities for the purpose of lowering transit fares. Implement a National Housing Strategy that would devote at least 1% of the federal program budget to building non-profit, affordable housing, and provide low-interest loans to provincial governments, municipal housing authorities and co-op housing organizations.
Martin
Transfer $2 billion a year to municipalities from federal gas tax revenues, amounting to five cents from every litre of gas sold, with the funding beginning within five years. Implement promise to rebate GST to cities, saving them $7 billion over 10 years. Invest up to $1.5 billion more over the next five years, on top of current funding, to stimulate the growth of assisted housing. Ensure big cities and small communities receive a fair share in infrastructure spending and Green Municipal Funds. Give municipalities a voice on immigration policy, with a view to attracting new residents.
--------
#4 - Defence
Harper
Participate in exploring a North American Missile Defence system in conjunction with the United States, perhaps with NATO in charge.
Layton
Keep Canada out of the National Missile Defence program.
Martin
Look at joining the National Missile Defence program designed by the United States, on the grounds that such high-tech security for the two countries is "indivisible."
--------
#5 - Education
Harper
Eliminate inequities between single and dual income families and introduce a deduction for dependent children. Support the creation of a matrimonial property code to protect spouses and children in cases of marriage breakdown.
Layton
As well as building more affordable housing, launch a national not-for-profit homecare program for those caring for elderly or disabled relatives, to reduce stress on families.
Martin
Bring in a new grant system for low-income students, and contribute to a learning account for young children in low-income families.
--------
#6 - Workplace
Harper
No stated policy found.
Layton
Enhance disability supports by building an integrated and adequate income safety net, improving training and education, and promoting paid work and volunteer opportunities for persons with disabilities.
Martin
Provide more support for disabled Canadians, helping them enter the workplace and reforming how the tax system treats them.
--------
#7 - Border Issues
Harper
Establish a Perimeter Security Agency by combining the Customs Agency with a revitalized Coast Guard, Ports Police and Air Transport Security Agency to ensure efficient and effective sharing of information with Canada's North American partners.
Layton
Safeguard civil liberties so that Canadians from ethnic communities are not targeted unfairly by the Anti-terrorism bill, and all Canadians can feel free to express legitimate dissent.
Martin
Enforce Anti-Terrorism Bill on grounds that Canada's security is "indivisible" from that of the U.S.
----------
#8 - Justice
Harper
Oppose the decriminalization of marijuana.
Layton
Fully decriminalize marijuana while introducing a non-punitive education program to reduce adult marijuana use. Restrict personal use and production of the drug through regulations, not the Criminal Code.
Martin
Decriminalize possession of small amounts of marijuana
--------
#9 - Social Issues
Harper
Uphold the freedom of individuals and families to nurture aspects of culture that are important to them. Make French in Quebec and elsewhere in Canada a national priority. Affirm a federal role in the preservation of Canada's natural and historical heritage. Resolve outstanding redress issues of the Ukrainian-Canadian and Chinese-Canadian community. Restructure the CRTC, reducing its mandate to registration and/or marketing of bandwidth and to dealing with international communications negotiations. Negotiate a reciprocity agreement with the United States to create an open market in the licensing of television satellite distribution.
Layton
Safeguard the free flow of diverse opinion across Canada by fighting the concentration of media ownership, giving tax incentives to independent groups who operate community media agencies, ensuring the operating budget of the CBC doesn't go below $1 billion, and protecting culture in trade deals.
Martin
Enhance the Voluntary Sector Initiative to help strengthen not-for-profit organizations. Modernize our arts and culture policies and federal cultural institutions while continuing to reflect Canada's regional diversity and multiculturalism.
--------
#10 - Environment
Harper
Develop a national alternative energy strategy to increase the use of renewable energy and support innovative research and development.
Layton
Leverage the government's Petro-Canada stake to create a new Crown corporation for renewable energy that would encourage the use of alternative energy sources such as solar, wind, tidal and geothermal power, as well as ethanol and bio-diesel fuels. Change existing tax laws and tax credits that artificially lower the true costs of fossil fuels and nuclear energy, instead offering tax incentives for those who invest in renewable energy systems and research. Bring in mandatory fuel efficiency for all vehicles in a partnership with progressive and powerful American states. Bring in a National Energy Price Commission to monitor, review, and regulate the price of oil, gas and home heating fuel.
Martin
Continue funding federal research into alternative energy sources.
--------
#11 - Foreign Affairs
Harper
No stated policy found.
Layton
Push for binding rules in international trade agreements to protect human rights, labour standards, cultural diversity and the environment.
Martin
Push for stronger human rights laws around the world through trade negotiations, the Canada Corps, and existing programs to train foreign electoral, police and justice officials.
--------
#12 - Political Reform
Harper
Consider changes to electoral systems, including proportional representation; the single transferable ballot; fixed election dates; and the use of referendums. Bring in a system of voluntary party registration that will establish a permanent party membership list, so that only those registered in advance of fixed deadlines will be eligible to vote in nomination or leadership races.
Layton
Introduce some form of proportional representation.
Martin
No stated policy found.