What the Liberals Are Offering...
Federal Leader: Stéphane DionParkdale-High Park: Gerard KennedyFemale Candidates: 37%What’s mentioned on
their website:
1. Economic prosperity
2. Social justice
3. Environmental sustainability
Concerning the issues that I feel are most important to me:
Afghanistan...The first hit in a search for Afghanistan on the Liberal website brought up
an article concerning the Conservative’s secrecy of its actions in Afghanistan, and an appeal for more communication between the Tories and the opposition. As of right now, the Liberals support the Canadian military mission in Afghanistan until 2011.
The Environment...The Liberal’s have a nifty “Green Shift” plan, with a
spiffy website to go along with it. It’s based mostly on tax cuts, using money as a motivator. While I see the merit of this approach, I try not to think of Canadians as such money-grubbers. The plan might just work, though, if put into place… money talks, or so they say. They talk about supporting a shift from fossil to renewable fuels and emphasizing conservation in Canadian households, but they also explicitly mention that corporate tax cuts will happen, to “attract investment and create jobs”, and at one point, abruptly discounts any suspicion that this is tax grab by the government.
The Federal Budget... The Liberals are just trashing the Conservative’s economical progress (or lack thereof), which is normal, and warranted. But they do go on to say they want to work towards, “an economy based on knowledge, ingenuity and innovation. An economy that is economically and environmentally sustainable, spearheading new green technologies.”
Northern Sovereignty... Liberal Northern Affairs critic Larry Bagnell says:
“Canada’s North means more than just resources to be exploited and good locations for military installations. There are very serious issues in the North that the federal government must address including literacy, the climate change crisis, and settling land claims. Only the Liberal Party has a strategy to deal with all of these issues.”
They want to give them some money and better education, make sure land claims settlement programs are played out, curb arctic waste dumpings and climate change, buy some search and rescue planes and station them in the north, complete northern seabed mapping, and re-instate a Circumpolar Ambassador. All good things! The Liberals have a clear plan for the north, I just hope they stick to their word, if elected.
Next, I'll be summing up what I think The Green Party can offer...
Labels: 2008, federal election, liberal
What The NDP Is Saying...
Federal Leader: Jack Layton Parkdale-High Park: Peggy NashFemale Candidates: 39%What’s mentioned first and foremost on
their website:
1. More jobs, in a new energy sector.
2. “Protect and modernize” public health care- with environmental emphasis.
Concerning the issues that I feel are most important to me:
Afghanistan...Sadly, a search for “Afghanistan” on the NDP website results in numerous (
probably around 98) statements given by Layton, expressing his condolences. I say sadly, only because of how truly sad the war in Afghanistan is. The NDP are working to get our combat troops out of that country, and to emphasize peace-keeping. Here's the NDP response to the Tory/Lib Afghanistan mission extension, from Mar. 14, 2008:
“The NDP’s plan for peace includes pursuing a political solution delivered by the UN. The UN’s mandate to preserve and promote international peace and security and its longstanding experience in peace negotiations make it the appropriate international body to be in charge in Afghanistan – not NATO.”
The Environment... We know that the environment is a big part of the NDP’s platform. They’ve already passed
Bill C-377- Kyoto Plus, which sets scientifically based targets for lowering emissions (an 80% reduction from 1990 levels by 2050, with interim targets every five years). They’ve also re-worked the budget to put more money into the environment, rather than offer corporate tax cuts. What’s best, is that they incorporate the environment on almost every level of their platform. There aren’t many facts though, on what they plan to do if the NDP get the majority of votes.
The Federal Budget...I’m finding the NDP website a bit frustrating. The others have categorized their platform into pertinent sub-sections, but the NDP site just lays out all of their past successes. Alas, I can gather from the site that the NDP believe the forestry industry workers (and the working person in general) are an important part of Canada, and that their jobs need to be protected. The NDP is also working for cheaper education, and diminishing the gap between the rich and everyone else.
Northern Sovereignty... The last thing I wanted to research was the plan to protect our northern sovereignty. Layton actually went on an extensive tour of the Arctic last year, and came up with a few ideas. Mostly, he wants to invest in northern community infrastructure, such as a deep-water port in Iqaluit. I think this is a step in the right direction.
Stay tuned for my notes on what the Liberal Party is offering...
Labels: 2008, federal election, new democratic party
The Times, They Are A Changing
With the election coming up in less than a month, I figured I should take some time out and read through the various party websites, and see what's what. I made some notes, cause I'm a geek like that, and I decided to post them on here. Maybe they'll help someone else decide who to vote for on October 14th.
The issues that are important to me are as follows:- Stance on Afghanistan…
- Environmental action plan…
- Goals for federal budget…
- Protecting Canada’s north…
- Immigration…
- Aboriginal consideration…
- Cycling…
The problem with these websites sometimes, is their lack of future-oriented information. The reason these sites are up is to help us choose who our
future leader will be. But what’s mentioned is often just past successes, and of course the failures of the opposition. I want to see cut and dry blueprints for what to expect when the Liberal, New Democrat, or Green parties take over (please, please, please).
A B C… Anything But Conservative.Stay tuned for my summary of the NDP's offerings, concerning some of the issues that are important to me (and maybe you)...
Labels: "canada votes", 2008, canada, decision, federal election
