Think how much Canada better could be.

THE NDP COMMITMENT TO CANADIANS

www.ndp.ca Think how much better Canada could be. The NDP Commitment to Canadians. PAGE 1 Ottawa Election 2000

Dear Friend, For seven years in a row, the Liberals in Ottawa have chosen to cut services that you count on. Well, there’s a massive surplus now — building to over $130 billion. What did the Liberals choose to do? They could have cut hospital waiting lists, cut pollution, cut tuition fees, cut child poverty. Instead, the Liberals chose to cut taxes for those who needed a break least. They gave millionaire bank presidents with hefty stock options a $500,000 tax break. Working families made sacrifices in these seven years of cuts. Working families should be able to share in the benefits of the surplus. The choices have never been more clear than in this election. On the one hand, the Liberals are using the surplus to benefit the banks, big corporations and the wealthy. And the other parties are just Liberals in a hurry when it comes to cutting services that Canadians need and expect. On the other hand, Canada’s New Democrats are fighting for a better choice. We want to use this surplus wisely. Instead of squandering it on tax cuts for the wealthy, we want to invest in our families and our future. We want to invest in health care, stop the growth of for-profit medicine and extend medicare to include home care and basic prescription drugs.

Think how much better Canada could be. The NDP Commitment to Canadians. PAGE 2 We want to invest in our environment by cleaning up our air and water and making it safe. We want to invest in our young people by increasing child tax benefits and student grants. We want to invest in our working people through economic policies that make full employment a reality. And we know we can pay for this investment without adding to the national debt. We wnat a new approach to global trade and investment that puts the well being of working families, the environment and democracy before the interests of global corporations. The pages that follow spell out our choices for Canadians. Read what we have to say, think about how much better Canada could be, and make your choice. I believe you’ll choose to vote New Democrat and help the next Parliament work for working families.

Think how much better Canada could be. The NDP Commitment to Canadians. PAGE 3 MAKING SURE QUALITY HEALTH CARE IS THERE WHEN YOU NEED IT Every Canadian deserves high quality health care, no matter where they live or how much money they have. Our health care — based on need, not ability to pay — is part of who we are. It is essential to our quality of life and to our economic competitiveness. We want to be sure it will always be there when we need it. To achieve that we know that our health care system must respond to the changing needs of Canadians.

But our cherished health care is under low of 13.5 per cent under the Liberals. attack. Deep cuts by the Liberal gov- We will index federal support to growth ernment have eroded public confi- in the population and the economy and dence, opened the door to privatization take into account demographic factors. We’ll make sure quality and sowed the seeds for a system that A five-year rolling commitment, negoti- health care is there when allows people with money to get better, ated with the provinces, would ensure you need it by faster care than those without money. stability and prevent unilateral off-load- After their cuts put health care on the ing of health costs. • increasing federal critical list, the Liberals stood by while • Halt the drift towards privatization funding for medicare Ralph Klein brought in Alberta’s Bill and two-tier health care by legislation • stopping two-tier 11, an act to allow private hospitals to preventing public health dollars from make money at the expense of Canadi- medicine funding private, for-profit hospitals. ans who need health care. • creating a national This would be done by amending the The Liberals have talked about defend- Canada Health Act to clarify that fed- home care plan ing health care. But faced with a clear eral transfers would be withheld from • creating a national choice, the Liberals gave only two provincial or territorial governments pharmacare plan cents to health care for every dollar in that allow private for-profit clinics to tax cuts — cuts that benefit mostly big provide insured health services covered corporations. by provincial or territorial health insur- ance plans. New Democrats know that guaranteed quality health care requires money, • Create a national home care plan leadership and innovation. Here’s what under the Canada Health Act to support We’ll provide strong we’ll do. families caring for their loved ones out- federal leadership side of institutions. We will extend uni- We’ll increase federal versal health coverage to pay for home Canadians want good reliable health funding for medicare care, community care and palliative care regardless of where they live or the care services, while allowing flexibility size of their wallets. They don’t care The NDP will rebuild health care to to suit the needs and circumstances of which level of government does the job meet the needs of all Canadians, pro- different provinces. — they just want it to happen. The tecting and enhancing its public, uni- Liberals have been using the excuse of versal character while bringing in the • Introduce a national pharmacare provincial jurisdiction over health to changes needed to ensure it’s affordable plan. The first step is to cover the drugs duck their responsibility to lead and co- in the future. The NDP will: discharged patients need while recover- ordinate. New Democrats believe that, ing at home and to protect Canadians • Immediately increase federal cash for all Canadians to have quality health who face chronic disease and cata- transfers for health care to 25 per cent of care, the federal government has to strophic drug costs not covered by ex- shared public health spending from the stand up for primary care reform, the isting public or private drug plans.

Think how much better Canada could be. The NDP Commitment to Canadians. PAGE 4 setting and keeping of national stan- • Monitor the health care system to • Restoring the independent scientific dards, training and recruitment of ensure that the principles and goals of capacity of the Health Protection health care workers, and innovative the Canada Health Act are being Branch, ending its reliance on industry ways of getting the best value for the achieved. information and funding, re-establish- health care dollar. Building on initia- ing its legislative powers to regulate tives already underway in some prov- We’ll provide help safety under our food and drug laws, inces, New Democrats will: for the high costs of and ensuring it has the capacity to con- duct independent analyses of the po- • Promote comprehensive primary prescription drugs tential impact of genetically modified care reform through initiatives such as Prescription drug costs eat up more and organisms. the expansion of community health more of Canadians’ health care dollars. centres operating around the clock. Rather than put working Canadians • Implementing mandatory labeling for genetically modified foods to give • Ensure that Canada has enough doc- first, the Liberals listened to the drug consumers accurate product informa- tors, nurses and other health care per- companies. They chose to keep the tion and preserve their right to choose. sonnel by working with the provinces Mulroney government’s Bill C-91, and territories to anticipate future de- which helped drive up costs for both • Expanding support for research into mand, coordinate training and recruit- the health care system and individual the links between health — especially ment, remove obstacles to mobility for Canadians. The federal government the health of children — and contami- health care providers, and upgrade re- must show leadership and work with nants in the environment. sponsibilities and pay for nurse practi- the provinces to protect Canadians and • Playing an expanded role in pro- tioners. stabilize and manage drug costs. In ad- dition to a national pharmacare pro- grams supporting good nutrition and • Establish, in cooperation with the gram, New Democrats would: physical fitness among young Canadi- provinces, national health goals to give ans. all Canadians an equal chance at a • Increase competition among drug healthy life, regardless of income or manufacturers by reducing the waiting We’ll improve where they live. Health goals would in- time to a maximum of 10 years before Aboriginal health volve both outcome and performance another company can market the drug. Aboriginal Canadians are the poorest measures. • Institute a federal-provincial system group in our society and have the worst • Develop outcome goals that include of bulk purchasing to reduce the per- health status of all Canadians. Aborigi- reducing infant mortality, chronic dis- unit cost of widely used pharmaceuti- nal infants are more than twice as ease and early death among low-in- cals. likely to die before the age of 18 come and Aboriginal Canadians to lev- • Establish drug registries and ensure months than are other Canadian in- els experienced by other Canadians and that physicians prescribe the most cost- fants. The federal government must set performance targets that include effective products. close this shameful health gap by shorter waiting periods for common adopting proposals from the Royal procedures. We’ll improve Commission on Aboriginal Peoples. health protection • Implement a community infrastruc- and disease ture program to deal with urgent prob- prevention lems of housing, clean water and waste management. The Liberals have let Ca- • Educate and train Aboriginal people nadians down to staff and manage health and social in the impor- services in Aboriginal communities and tant area of in mainstream institutions. health pro- • Reorganize existing health and so- tection. New cial services into a system of health and Democrats healing centres under Aboriginal con- will protect trol, ensuring adequate human and fi- the health of nancial resources are in place to carry working out the task. families by:

Think how much better Canada could be. The NDP Commitment to Canadians. PAGE 5 ACTING TODAY TO PROTECT TOMORROW

Canadians are increasingly concerned about the state of the environment in their communities and around the globe. They worry about the quality of the air they breathe and the safety of the water they drink. And they are deeply concerned about the kind of ecological legacy they will leave to their children.

We’ll protect the • Expanding marine protected areas environment and the national parks system and pro- tecting the parks system from commer- We’ll act today to The Liberal record on the environment cial development that threatens its in- is a litany of neglect, delay and broken tegrity. protect tomorrow by promises. New Democrats will protect • Introducing tough punishment for • implementing the environment by: polluters, including criminal charges for comprehensive, • Asserting a strong federal presence corporate owners, directors and manag- enforceable and in both environmental monitoring and ers who break the law. understandable regulatory enforcement. • Developing an environmental Bill of standards for water • Implementing comprehensive, en- Rights to ensure the legally enforceable forceable and understandable standards right of all Canadians to a safe and and air quality and for water and air quality and for food healthy environment. for food safety safety. We’ll invest in and • investing in services • Developing and implementing a na- improve the environment that clean up the tional water strategy, including devel- water, clean up the opment of national safe drinking water Public services — like clean water and standards and a ban on bulk water ex- effective waste disposal and diversion, air, stimulate green ports. good roads and accessible public transit investment and — are essential to strong, healthy com- • Instituting agreements that give en- expand public transit munities. By the 1990s, Canada was in- vironmental protection precedence vesting just 2.1 per cent of the Gross • making workplaces over trade agreements in trans-bound- Domestic Product in public infrastruc- safer ary movement of hazardous wastes and ture — about half of what we spent other environmentally dangerous throughout the 1960s and 1970s. Two goods. decades of neglect have meant poorer prove energy efficiency and cut back • Ensuring that a “green screen” inte- public services, major problems like grates environmental criteria into all poor water quality and pollution, and a the release of waste into the environ- ment. federal government decision-making. $75-billion deficit in municipal and en- vironmental infrastructure. Too many corporations have opposed • Implementing endangered species and habitat protection legislation de- Ecologists warn that, without major efforts to deal with these pressing is- sues. The Liberals have listened to cor- veloped in cooperation with other gov- new investment and a national ap- porate Canada, ignoring the fact that ernments, affected communities and proach to water quality, access to fresh labour, making use of traditional Ab- water will soon become Canada’s worst no economy or society can exist inde- pendently of the environment. The original knowledge and vesting identifi- environmental crisis. Significant public Liberals have made no progress in de- cation of species at risk with indepen- and private investments are also needed dent scientists. to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, im- veloping a sustainable economy for Ca- nadians.

Think how much better Canada could be. The NDP Commitment to Canadians. PAGE 6 loan security for the cost of retro- fitting residential, commercial and industrial build- ings to meet higher standards of energy efficiency and make greater use of energy from alternative sources, resulting in reduced green- house gas emis- sions and lower costs. • improve recy- cling, composting and recovery sys- tems to improve the diversion rate of household, We all want jobs and economic pros- Clean up our air commercial and industrial waste. perity, but we also want to protect the air we breathe, the water we drink and • renew efforts to achieve short-term • encourage dynamic environmental industries and the development of new the food we eat. With leadership from reductions in greenhouse gas emissions environmental technology. the federal government, working fami- in the wake of the Liberals’ abandon- lies can have both environmental and ment of commitments made at Kyoto, Expand public transit economic security. Japan in 1997. • invest as a partner in integrated, co- New Democrats believe Canada needs • set up a Clean Air Fund to back ordinated and affordable public transit a new commitment to rebuilding our community-based initiatives that rec- and commuter rail service in and publicly-owned and publicly-operated oncile job creation with the challenge around our major urban centres. This infrastructure. The NDP will set up a posed by climate change. The fund would be part of a national transporta- multi-year National Environmental In- would be used for tree planting, alter- tion strategy. frastructure Investment Program native energy, and transition programs (NEIIP) to channel investment into for workers displaced by actions taken We’ll make work pressing environmental concerns like to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. environments safer water and air quality, toxic waste dis- • support expansion and encourage Working people have the right to feel posal, energy efficiency and the clean- greater use of public transit. up of environmental hot spots. NEIIP safe and secure in their workplaces. They need strong health and safety will be used to: • put mandatory limits on sulphur content in gasoline. laws. And corporate officials must be Clean up our water held accountable when their conduct Stimulate green investment results in death or injury in the work- • set up a Clean Water Fund to up- place. In the aftermath of the Westray grade municipal water and wastewater • change the federal tax system to en- treatment plants to improve water qual- sure that tax policies encourage a more mining disaster, New Democrats have fought for laws to make work environ- ity, water conservation and effluent sustainable economy. Taxes should be ments safer. New Democrats will management. We cannot have another reduced on sustainable activities, par- Walkerton. ticularly those that involve a greater amend the Criminal Code to ensure that investment in labour, and increased on corporate officials are held accountable • clean up toxic hot spots like the non-sustainable activities. for unsafe workplaces. Sydney Tar Ponds and sites in the Great Lakes. • create a Green Jobs Fund to provide

Think how much better Canada could be. The NDP Commitment to Canadians. PAGE 7 MAKING JOBS THE FIRST ECONOMIC PRIORITY

Several years of economic growth have lowered Canada’s official unemployment rate from the appallingly high levels experienced in the 1990s. However, more and more Canadians find themselves working longer hours at insecure jobs for rates of pay only marginally higher than a decade ago. While the stock market is soaring, corporate profits are high and CEO incomes skyrocketing, prosperity has not benefited working Canadians and their families.

Over the past 20 years, governments children is healthier than the one we We’ll ease the adjustment have relegated employment to the bot- inherited. To ease worker and community adjust- tom of the priority list. The public in- terest has taken second place to the We’ll work to create jobs ment to change, New Democrats will: narrow interests of corporations. This We must reinvigorate the federal • Improve Employment Insurance and has not only caused hardship for work- government’s role in making Canada build better links between EI and train- ing families, it has undermined the competitive in the new economy of ing programs. foundations of the economy of the fu- technology and globalization. New • Guarantee workers the right to ad- ture. New Democrat economic policy Democrats will: vance notice and severance pay in the goals are: • Establish employment targets in par- event of layoff and priority over all • Full employment, defined as paid allel to inflation targets through a legis- other claims in bankruptcy proceedings. work for those who want it. lated shift in the Bank of Canada’s We’ll deepen investment • Decent and fulfilling jobs that pro- mandate to require that monetary vide adequate pay and benefits, the policy works toward targets for both To broaden and deepen the investment right to organize, reasonable job secu- employment and inflation. capital base in Canada, New Democrats will: rity, access to training, opportunities for • Initiate programs, like the National advancement, predictable working Environmental Infrastructure Invest- • Enlarge the mandate for investment hours, access to leisure and sufficient ment Program, that can grow in good of the Canada Pension Plan to require flexibility to balance work and family economic times and stimulate the that investment decisions take into ac- life. economy during economic downturns. count the general economic interests of • Fair and equitable sharing in the op- • Ensure federal reinvestment in edu- Canadians as well as return on invest- ment, that decisions pass through an portunities created by technological cation. change and of the burden of adjustment “ethical screen,” and that the CPP in- to that change. • Rebuild social programs like medi- vestment board includes worker and care and public infrastructure that have community representatives. • Economic development consistent deteriorated over the last decade. with sustained high environmental • Provide a legislative framework for quality and a transition to sustainability • Provide federal leadership to guaran- joint trusteeship as well as for active in- that distributes fairly the burden of ad- tee fairer treatment for part-time workers. vestment by pension funds based on en- justment. • Expand federal investment in re- vironmental and community economic criteria. • An approach to environmental pro- search and development in post-sec- tection that takes advantage of the ondary educational institutions, the transition to sustainability while ensur- National Research Council and in pri- ing that the environment we leave our vate, non-profit research and develop- ment centres.

Think how much better Canada could be. The NDP Commitment to Canadians. PAGE 8 We’ll provide leadership system in a state of chaos and confusion We’ll strengthen on training in some provinces. New Democrats will community economic restore the federal government’s central development Working families know life-long train- and coordinating role in labour market ing is a must in the knowledge-based training. New Democrats will establish New Democrats believe that a key task economy. Increasing capital mobility, national training standards, supported is to ensure that working people in all rapid job turnover, and the continuing and enforced by the restoration of fed- regions of Canada have the education, advance of new technologies make con- eral training funding. Training transfers training, health care and transportation tinual skills upgrading a necessity for should be based on six principles. infrastructure they need. Beyond that, employed, as well as unemployed, Ca- Training must: efforts to create jobs and strengthen lo- nadians. This requires federal leader- cal economies should focus on capital • be accredited, sequential and trans- ship to create a significant training in- formation and local decision-making. frastructure and public support for ferable. More than 40 years of experience has programs to ease transitions into em- • be available as a right to all workers shown that federal handouts to entice ployment and re-employment. with equity for women, people with dis- businesses to locate in economically abilities, visible minorities and Ab- Since 1993, the Liberals have cut $4 disadvantaged areas do not solve re- original people. billion from training programs and de- gional disparity. Too often when the volved responsibility for training under • reinforce respect for human rights subsidies run out, the businesses leave. EI to the provinces. This has left the and progressive workplace policies. Despite this dismal record, the Liberals have stuck to this approach, failing to • provide child care and supplemen- adequately support community eco- tary costs. nomic development. • not be linked to workfare schemes. We’ll provide • include workers and their unions in access to capital We’ll make jobs our first training decisions. Small business and community-based, economic priority by The NDP will: non-profit enterprises committed to • setting targets for jobs • Re-establish the role of the federal strengthening local economies don’t • rebuilding programs like government as a lead player in job have the access to capital they need. training, backed up by the creation of a New Democrats will: health care $1 billion national training fund. • broadening and • Expand the role of the Business De- • Establish a Canada-wide roster of velopment Bank of Canada so that deepening our capital employment services, linking federal capital can be made available for long- investment base and provincial training and labour ad- term investment in community-based • providing leadership on justment programs for all unemployed businesses. Investment decisions would Canadians. job training be coordinated through partners such as provincial and territorial development • easing the adjustment for • Increase training funds for social as- sistance recipients and seasonal and agencies, credit unions and caisse people affected by the short-term workers who do not qualify populaires, and local development changes for EI. agencies. • strengthening community • Ensure that public training institu- • Introduce a new legislative frame- economic development tions and existing union-run appren- work so that democratically-controlled ticeship and training programs will be financial institutions like credit unions • providing access to the preferred providers of training. and caisses populaires can play a greater capital role in providing investment capital to • supporting local local communities. development agencies We’ll support local development agencies The old top-down approach to eco- nomic development has spawned politi-

Think how much better Canada could be. The NDP Commitment to Canadians. PAGE 9 cal slush funds like the Canada Jobs • Provide investment, technical and but Ottawa hasn’t begun to provide the Fund at HRDC and created an alphabet marketing support for entrepreneurs provinces with the cash needed to soup of agencies like ACOA and DREE and community economic development maintain that road network. New with broadly-focused mandates that groups. Democrats will: don’t address the pressing needs of • Keep farmers’ costs down by amend- many of our communities. We’ll support greener, safer transportation links ing grain transport legislation to pro- New Democrats believe we need a new vide for future productivity sharing approach, one that taps into the tradi- Canadians have always worked collec- with farmers through enhanced railway tion of cooperation and self-reliance tively, through government, to build competition and allowing short-line that exists in communities, one that and maintain transportation links. We carriers to use existing rail lines. targets communities and regions with still need an efficient, high quality and • Cooperate with the provinces to de- the worst economic problems, and one safe network of highways, railways, fer- velop a national highways program that that works through community-based ries, ports and airports to move goods deals with the crisis created by federal agencies. The NDP will: and people. But our transportation in- abandonment of its responsibility for frastructure has deteriorated. The Lib- • Phase out agencies like ACOA and rail transport. erals have shown they lack the vision redirect federal funds to broadly-based and the will to ensure that communi- • Ensure a major role for fuel-efficient community economic development or- ties have the reliable transportation rail passenger and freight service as part ganizations, with built-in accountabil- links essential to participation in the of an integrated transportation system. ity and transparency, operating in re- modern economy. New Democrats will: gions and communities of greatest Canada is the only industrialized coun- need. Priority for funding would go to • Ban price gouging by a monopoly try where the national government projects in communities hit by eco- carrier. The new Air Canada monopoly does not support urban transit. As nomic restructuring. requires a regulatory regime that caps gridlock and air pollution from auto ex- prices on domestic flights and haust reach crisis levels in our major ur- guarantees frequent flights to ban centres, the Liberal government all regions of the country, washes its hands of responsibility. New especially smaller com- Democrats will create a national strat- munities. egy to support improved urban public transit, essential if Canada is to meet •Promote fair fuel its international environmental com- prices by forcing mitments while improving the quality oil companies to of life in Canadian cities. New Demo- be transparent crats will: about how they set their prices • Provide federal grants to help mu- and establish a nicipalities upgrade public transit fa- federally-ap- cilities. pointed energy • Provide a tax benefit for employers price commission providing public transit passes to their to review and ap- employees. prove fuel price increases. • Make grants to municipal transit au- thorities for the purpose of lowering Over the last 20 transit fares. years, Liberal and Tory governments • Make Canada a world leader in have abandoned green transportation research and de- their responsibil- velopment by designating funds for de- ity for the rail- velopment of new, less-polluting tech- ways. Traffic has nologies. been forced off the rails and onto provincial roads,

Think how much better Canada could be. The NDP Commitment to Canadians. PAGE 10 PROVIDING REAL HELP FOR FAMILIES AT HOME, AT WORK AND AT SCHOOL

Secure jobs, good education, affordable housing, a safe physical environment and community support are keys to building strong, successful families. New Democrats believe in a Canada that gives all families an equal opportunity to realize their hopes and dreams. The Liberal government let the social and economic supports for families deteriorate and allowed poverty to deepen. New Democrats want to make sure that every family is given the tools to succeed at home and at work by:

• Doubling the Canada Child Tax changing eligibility for EI parental ben- Benefit to $4,200 per year, what it re- efits. Working parents would no longer ally costs to raise and nurture a child. be penalized for absences from the Income thresholds should be raised to labour force, and federally-regulated We’ll provide real help increase benefits to low and middle-in- employers would be required to offer re- for working families by come earners. We’ll extend the benefit duced hours upon return to work after • doubling the Child Tax to all low-income families with chil- maternity or parental leave. Benefit dren through federal legislation ending • Restoring EI benefits to two thirds of the clawback of the CCTB from social • investing in housing weekly pay and eliminating discrimina- assistance recipients. tory features to allow for coverage of at • creating better • Responding to the crisis in least 70 per cent of unemployed work- opportunities for homelessness with a national housing ers. Coverage and benefits will recog- children and youth strategy that spends one per cent of the nize the reality of today’s workforce — federal program budget to create 25,000 more part-time and on-call workers, • providing early child units a year of non-profit, affordable more mobility between jobs and high care and education housing. The NDP plan would provide levels of short-term unemployment. • making post- low-interest loans to provincial govern- • Treating part-time employees fairly secondary education ments, municipal housing authorities, by adopting model federal legislation to co-op housing organizations and other affordable provide part-time workers with the partners in the social housing sector. same pro-rated benefits, job security • reforming EI We’ll give working and job advancement prospects as full- time workers. families a break dren and youth with the skills they will • Reintroducing a minimum wage for need to succeed. In the New Democrat For working families, changes on the federally-regulated employees. job have increased the pressures of cop- vision, every child will start school ready to learn and graduate ready to ing with day-to-day living. Families We’ll create better succeed. now have to work harder just to keep opportunities for pace. Instead of supporting working children and youth We’ll provide early child families, the Liberals chose to cut un- employment insurance benefits and Canadian families know that education care and education coverage. New Democrats will support and training are vital to the future suc- A child’s experience in the early years working families by: cess of their children. The Liberals talk lays the foundation for future success. about the need to be competitive in the But Canada’s children are falling be- • Helping young families balance world economy, then fail to equip chil- work and family responsibilities by hind.

Think how much better Canada could be. The NDP Commitment to Canadians. PAGE 11 European countries and some U.S. •accessible to all Canadians regardless policies that forced up tuition fees and states provide publicly-supported pro- of barriers, location, ability or cost student debt, all the Liberals did was grams that parents may choose for their •quality of services ensured by strong create a useless Millennium Scholar- pre-schoolers and kindergarten-aged standards ship program that will help only seven children. Few Canadian families have •non-profit. of every 100 students. these options. Seventy per cent of Ca- Education is the best investment a gov- nadian mothers with children under six We’ll make ernment can make in the economy. are in the paid workforce. But only 10 post-secondary education New Democrats will force down the per cent are able to choose regulated, affordable barriers to higher education for ordi- affordable, quality early childhood edu- nary working families and ensure our cation and care that is cost-shared by Public education is still the best way to achieve equality and a higher standard young people will no longer graduate family and government. Canadian of living for all. At one time, people into poverty. We will: families need programs that expand and support real parental choice. The Liber- needed a minimum of 12 years of edu- • Replace the Millennium Scholarship cation to succeed in the work world. als have responded with years of foot- Fund, which helps only seven of 100 Today they often need 16 to 17 years of dragging and half-baked, under-funded students, with the Canada Education proposals. New Democrats will: formal education to prepare for jobs. Accessibility Fund, which will give But receiving good education and grants to help a greater number of stu- • Work with provincial and territorial training is much more difficult for most dents in financial need. governments to create a national plan working families. for child care and early childhood edu- • Make the Canada Student Loan Pro- Canada has the third highest university cation. The National Early Years Fund gram interest-free during the life of a tuition in the industrialized world, with will be fully funded at $3.5 billion a loan and credit all interest repaid since year by 2004 and be based on five prin- average fees up by 125 per cent over 1995 as payment on the principal of the past decade. Average student debt ciples: the loan. on graduation tripled between 1990 •comprehensive, covering pre- and post- • Work with the provinces on an im- natal care, early learning and child and 1998, to $25,000. Access to stu- dent loans has been tightened and re- mediate freeze on tuition fees to be fol- care, parental supports and parents payment terms are more stringent. Af- lowed by a strategy to roll back fees to both at home and in the labour 1995 levels through federal reinvest- market ter cutting post-secondary transfers to the prov- ment in the core budgets of colleges •integrated, meaning it will be inces and and universities. available across education, social and health pursuing • Repeal laws that discriminate other services against students seeking bankruptcy protection. • Deny federal funding for the estab- lishment and operation of private, for-profit universities.

Think how much better Canada could be. The NDP Commitment to Canadians. PAGE 12 NEGOTIATING FAIR TRADE DEALS

Canada is a trading nation. International trade is vital to our economy. But trade must be the servant, not the master, of democratic societies. Trade must be a vehicle for raising living standards and improving environmental protections. It must not be a tool to undermine the quality of life for working families in pursuit of mega-profits for global corporations.

New Democrats were part of the “carve out” of culture, health care, edu- popular movement against corporate cation and other public services from globalization that culminated in the international trade agreements, includ- “Battle in Seattle” and the defeat of the ing the General Agreement on Trade in We’ll negotiate fair trade Multilateral Agreement on Investment. Services at the WTO. deals by Public rejection of that failed model • Ensure that international environ- has led to a new search for fair and • making sure rules are in mental agreements take precedence democratic alternatives. New Demo- place to protect human over trade agreements. crats continue to believe that Canada rights, core labour should play a leading role on the world • Seek elimination of the investor- standards, cultural stage in that search for an alternative state dispute mechanism of the North set of global fair trade rules — rules American Free Trade Agreement diversity and the that will protect the rights of workers (NAFTA), which gives foreign corpora- environment and the environment, provide for cul- tions the right to sue and intimidate • eliminating NAFTA rules tural diversity and ensure the ability of democratically-elected governments, national governments to act in the pub- and exclude such mechanisms from any that let foreign lic interest. future trade agreement. corporations sue New Democrats will fight for a new • Negotiate a clear exemption for wa- democratically-elected approach to global trade that puts the ter under NAFTA, the WTO and all governments interests of working families ahead of other trade agreements so that Canada those of global corporations. New regains the right to ban bulk water ex- Democrats will: ports and the ability to preserve, pro- tect and conserve Canadians’ fresh wa- • Ensure that, before Canada negoti- ter resources. ates any new trade and investment transactions. The tax would discourage rules at the World Trade Organization • Work with progressive legislators short-term capital flows that have de- (WTO), the Free Trade Agreement of and activists in the three NAFTA stabilized many developing countries. the Americas (FTAA), or any other countries to build a majority in favour In addition, New Democrats will: of getting needed changes in NAFTA trade forum, binding and enforceable • Play a leading role in the interna- or failing that, replacing the agreement international rules are in place to pro- tional campaign for a new global finan- altogether. tect human rights, core labour stan- cial framework that allows nations to dards, cultural diversity, and the envi- We’ll regulate maintain meaningful control over their ronment. At the same time a complete exchange rates and interest rates. review of the WTO’s dispute settlement global finance • Oppose any move to adopt the U.S. mechanism will be conducted. New Democrats will continue their dollar as Canada’s currency. • Protect Canada’s ability to manage support of the Tobin Tax, a proposal our most important social programs that would have all countries simulta- without interference from commercial neously place a small tax of 0.1% on interests by negotiating a complete the $1 trillion daily in cross-currency

Think how much better Canada could be. The NDP Commitment to Canadians. PAGE 13 STANDING UP FOR CANADIAN COMMUNITIES

All Canadians, no matter where they live, have a right to economic opportunities, public services, cultural expression, safety and security. The federal government must make sure no one — individual Canadians, families or communities — is left behind. The global corporate marketplace has put enormous pressure on Canadian communities. The domination of the market has wreaked havoc from the fishing communities of Atlantic Canada and the coal mines of Cape Breton to the farms of the Prairies and the coastal communities of British Columbia. Far from helping these communities adjust to economic disruption, Liberal policies have made things worse.

We’ll fight for farm families The Liberals, although they say Cana- dian farmers must become more com- petitive to survive, choose to slash sup- port payments while the American and European governments continue to sup- port their farmers. This has placed the family farm in jeopardy. New Demo- crats will implement a national Family Farm Support program with the follow- ing components: • Adequate income support for farm- ers devastated by international subsi- dies, including working in concert with our trading partners to reduce or elimi- nate those subsidies. • Meaningful disaster assistance for farmers affected by severe weather. • A strong commitment to orderly marketing, the Canadian Wheat Board and supply management.

Think how much better Canada could be. The NDP Commitment to Canadians. PAGE 14 • Protection for both the family farm their actions. Gang violence and the environment by promoting en- and organized crime activities vironmentally-sustainable farming We’ll stand up for Canadian in our ports and cities must be methods and increasing the capacity for communities by eliminated. New Democrats Agriculture Canada to support sustain- • protecting the family will: able farming methods. farm and the • Address the underlying We’ll stand up environment causes of crime by dealing with for forestry, fishing poverty, investing in children • supporting sustainability and families and rebuilding and coastal communities in our forestry and communities. Corporate greed and the lack of politi- fishery • Support preventive interven- cal will by past federal governments has • beginning to rebuild the tion for high-risk youth by in- had a devastating effect on our forestry CBC vesting in community facilities and fishing sectors. New Democrats be- and programs for youth and lieve that only by working with local • making our communities through drug dependency pro- governments, labour, Aboriginal safer grams, literacy programs, treat- peoples, women’s organizations, small ment for victims of sexual and business, social action and other com- physical abuse and help for tion society, the voices of our artists, munity groups can we ensure that those children with behavioural and renewable resources will be here for fu- writers, creators and citizens need to be learning disorders. ture generations. New Democrats will: strengthened, and our information sources must become more diverse. The • Support community polic- • Support sustainable forestry by in- NDP is committed to strengthening ing, restorative justice and re- vesting one per cent of the forest cultural infrastructure and the distinct habilitation programs for young sector’s contribution to Canada’s voices of Canadian cultural workers. offenders through initiatives economy in reforestation, the develop- New Democrats will: like alternative sentencing and ment of selective harvesting methods, victim reconciliation. sustainable management plans, and the • Establish a floor-operating grant of marketing of forest products obtained $1 billion per year to begin rebuilding • Restore Canadians’ faith in from sustainably-harvested timber. the CBC as a distinctive national the justice system through bet- broadcaster firmly rooted in all regions. ter resources for victims of • Ensure that fishery goals of conserva- crime and ensure that the sys- • Promote diversity in Canadian news tion and sustainability are achieved tem operates speedily and effec- through community-based, co-manage- media and book publishing by empow- tively. ment of fish resources. ering the Competition Bureau to re- view takeovers that concentrate owner- • Make sentences and bail • Ensure that aquaculture is developed ship. conditions tougher for chronic in a responsible manner that protects repeat violent offenders. adjacent waters and communities. • Promote diversity of expression through tax incentives to assist commu- • Enact new laws and pro- • Support coastal communities by cre- nity groups, cooperatives or entrepre- grams to combat domestic vio- ating a national shipbuilding policy neurs to invest in community media. lence, spouse abuse, stalking that will enable Canadian shipbuilders and home invasions. to compete against their subsidized in- We’ll make ternational competitors. • Ensure the RCMP have the communities safer funding, personnel, training We’ll support Canada’s While statistics show that crime rates and equipment they need to cultural community continue to decline, not all Canadians combat crime in our communi- feel safe in their homes or communi- ties. Canada’s cultural community gives ties. Many women continue to live in voice to our rich diversity and helps • Reinstitute a dedicated na- fear of domestic violence, and seniors build national identity. But that com- tional ports police force to fear an increasing threat from home in- munity is being undermined by trade combat organized crime and vasions. deals, global media concentration and smuggling in our seaport com- indifference or hostility from the Lib- Those who commit violent crimes munities. eral government. In a global informa- should know there are consequences for

Think how much better Canada could be. The NDP Commitment to Canadians. PAGE 15 TARGETING TAX FAIRNESS Canadians sacrificed their social programs to help pay off the deficit. Now that we have a surplus, the Liberals stole the Alliance platform and cut taxes, mostly for the benefit of the big corporations, the banks and the wealthy.

We’ll see everyone To ensure tax relief for middle-income • Introduce an excess profit tax (20 gets a fair share Canadians, New Democrats will: per cent tax on rates of return by finan- cial institutions that exceed 10 per • Guarantee full indexation of all tax and pays a fair share cent). levels and credits. New Democrats believe that working • Bring Canada’s tax system into line families have sacrificed enough. It’s • Retain the reduction of the middle- with most other industrialized countries time for everyone to pay a fair share of income rate from 26 per cent to 23 per by introducing a millionaire’s tax on the cost of building a better Canada. cent. transfers of inherited fortunes of $1 mil- New Democrats will provide tax relief New Democrats support ending the re- lion or more. The transfer of farms and targeted at low and middle-income Ca- gressive GST/HST, and we will take small businesses within the family nadians. We will: steps to reduce the impact of these would not be taxed. • Double the maximum Canada Child taxes on lower-income Canadians. At • Treat capital gains income the same Tax Benefit to $4,200 per year. the same time, we recognize that end- as other income — 100 per cent of ing the GST/HST will have to be done • Ensure that no individual making capital gains income would be subject gradually and with reference to the to taxation instead of the proposed 50 $15,000 or less per year pays federal need to reinvest in the public services tax. per cent. Ensure that existing exemp- working families want and need. In the tions from capital gains are available to • Make disability and medical expense short term, New Democrats will: small businesses and family farms. tax credits fully refundable to all Cana- • Enhance the GST tax credit for dians with disabilities. • Disallow political lobbying costs, lower-income Canadians by $200 a meal and entertainment expenses and Restoring full indexation of the per- family. salaries over $300,000 a year as deduc- sonal income tax has been a long- • Immediately remove the GST on tions for corporate tax purposes. standing demand of New Democrats. books and magazines. • Remove the GST exemption from Canadians don’t mind paying taxes in brokerage fees. return for public services. But the Lib- • Improve enforcement of income tax We’ll see that low and erals chose to cut $100 billion from laws to ensure tax cheats are caught. middle-income families taxes, giving $500,000 in cuts to a bank president and nothing to an unem- Public health must take precedence get a fair share by ployed worked in Atlantic Canada. over protecting corporate profitability. • doubling the Child Tax Tobacco pricing is strongly related to New Democrats will add fairness to the the increase in smoking among Benefit to $4,200 tax system by ensuring that corpora- Canada’s youth, a factor linked to the • making sure no tions and the wealthy pay their fair dramatic rise in lung cancer among share. We will: individual who makes young women. New Democrats will re- $15,000 or less pays • While retaining full indexation and store taxes on cigarettes and other to- federal tax the middle-income rate reduction, re- bacco products to their levels prior to place with fair-share taxation the Lib- 1994. • increasing the GST eral tax giveaways to the economic credit elite.

Think how much better Canada could be. The NDP Commitment to Canadians. PAGE 16 ENSURING EQUALITY FOR ALL CANADIANS New Democrats have a proud history of standing up for equality and social justice. We have fought for the democratic rights of all Canadians, regardless of their gender, skin colour, sexual orientation or religion. Progress towards equality is threatened. Globalization has widened the gap between rich and poor. The Liberals have failed to provide the leadership and funding needed to ensure that all Canadians can participate on an equal footing.

We’ll fight for equality As an interim measure, and in recogni- accessible income support program for tion of treaty rights and Aboriginal in- Canadians with disabilities. In the in- New Democrats will further the goal of herent right to self-government, the terim, New Democrats will: equality for all Canadians through: federal government must work with • Top up pensions for those whose • Anti-poverty measures such as the Aboriginal communities to foster eco- only source of income is Canada Pen- increase in the Child Tax Benefit. nomic development. New Democrats sion Plan disability pension, ease re- will increase access to lands and re- • National child care and home care strictions and create clearer eligibility sources and implement co-management programs that broaden the choices criteria and an improved appeal pro- of resources, consistent with conserva- open to women. cess. tion and the established participation • Improved EI benefits and coverage. of other groups. • Improve access to employment training for persons with disabilities, re- • Protection of funding for programs We’ll support Canadians gardless of their eligibility for other that support equity for racial and ethnic with disabilities programs like EI or social assistance. minorities and for groups that advocate for the disadvantaged. The federal government must show leadership to ensure that Canadians • Improved pay equity legislation. with disabilities have the support they • Fair immigration policies that stop need, no matter where they live. Equal- We’ll fight for equality for discrimination against ordinary appli- ity of citizenship for persons with dis- all Canadians by cants from developing countries. abilities is guaranteed by the Charter and promised by federal policy, but for- • setting up new anti- • A comprehensive reproductive midable barriers remain. Disabled Ca- health policy that recognizes women’s poverty and anti- right to control their own bodies and nadians deserve better than the patch- discrimination work of services they currently endure. opposes recriminalization of abortion. New Democrats will: measures • Amendments to the Human Rights • protecting programs Act to recognize same sex marriages. • Ensure that all future policies and practices of federal government depart- that support minorities We’ll work with ments, agencies and programs are • working with Aboriginal communities viewed through a “disability lens”. Aboriginal • Make the disability tax credit fully New Democrats believe the next Par- communities refundable. liament must implement the recom- • supporting programs mendations of the Royal Commission New Democrats believe that a priority for persons with on Aboriginal Peoples to renew the re- for federal-provincial negotiations is lationship with Aboriginal peoples on a the creation of a single, adequate and disabilities more equitable basis, to resolve out- standing land claims and to recognize the inherent right to self-government.

Think how much better Canada could be. The NDP Commitment to Canadians. PAGE 17 BUILDING A STRONGER CANADA IN A STRONGER WORLD

Canada’s New Democrats believe in globalization for people — not just for corporations. New Democrats have long been committed to working for global peace and security through the United Nations, global nuclear disarmament and arms control, human rights, democratic development and global solidarity. The NDP will work to:

• Strengthen the central role of the ing, and upgrade equipment to ensure long-term goal of 0.70 per cent of Gross UN in maintaining peace and security forces personnel can perform their jobs Domestic Product. and protection of international human in safety. • Support Jubilee 2000, the movement rights. • Redirect additional resources to for debt relief for the poorest countries. • Democratize the UN through in- peacekeeping and enhance Canada’s creased participation by public and role as a peace broker within the frame- civil society organizations and restric- work of the UN as the alternative to tions on the veto power of the perma- participation in NATO and NORAD. nent members of the Security Council. The NDP stands up for our peacekeep- More than a decade after the end of the ers and those Canadian Forces person- We’ll build a stronger Cold War, progress on universal nuclear nel who stand in our defence at home Canada in a stronger disarmament and arms control has been and abroad. We will: distressingly slow. Now the proposed world by • Increase pay and benefit levels for development of the National Missile • enhancing the role of armed services personnel, improve Defence (NMD) by the U.S. jeopar- housing and living conditions on mili- Canada’s forces as dizes the modest gains made. New tary bases, and upgrade educational and Democrats will: international health care services for forces families. peacekeepers • Actively support negotiation and The NDP believes that Canada’s for- adoption of an international treaty to • working to address eign policy should be guided by the eliminate all nuclear weapons based on principles of conflict prevention. We the roots of conflict the model convention adopted by the need policies that address the roots of • increasing our United Nations in 1997. conflict — poverty, environmental international aid • Oppose Canadian participation in degradation and the power of global • working to reform and further development of the NMD. corporations and the governments that support them. New Democrats will: the IMF and the • Improve arms exports controls so that Canadian-made weapons are not • Work through the UN to reform the World Bank used to fuel arms races or supply repres- International Monetary Fund and the sive regimes. World Bank to eliminate the imposi- tion of austerity measures as a condi- The NDP will enhance the role of tion of lending. Canada and its defence forces as inter- national peacekeepers. The NDP will: • Sanction Canadian companies that deal with totalitarian regimes. • Provide better training for peace- keeping personnel, make Canada an in- • Immediately increase international ternational leader in teaching conflict development assistance toward the resolution, mediation and peacekeep-

Think how much better Canada could be. The NDP Commitment to Canadians. PAGE 18 DEVELOPING RESPONSIVE FEDERALISM FOR A REVITALIZED DEMOCRACY

Working families from coast to coast to coast find unity in our shared values of tolerance, compassion and community. New Democrats believe that national unity will be assured when the federal government, working with the provinces, takes as its primary objective the building of a healthy, compassionate society that ensures the well being of all Canadians.

Working Canadians need guarantees ties need to preserve and develop their that their social, economic, environ- language and culture. mental, cultural and democratic rights We’ll develop responsive • Ensure that federal-provincial fiscal will be protected and promoted by all arrangements allow all provinces to federalism by levels of government. The NDP advo- meet their responsibilities to provide • working cooperatively cates responsive federalism, a frame- quality public services to their citizens. work that recognizes Canada’s diversity with other governments and the need for governments to work We’ll set up a new deal • setting up a new deal for together cooperatively. Responsive fed- for Canada’s cities our cities eralism will: More than 75 per cent of Canadians • making government • Support a social union based on the now live in urban centres. It’s time for a more accountable principle of co-decision, meaning that new deal for cities, based on direct governments in Canada would work co- partnerships with the federal govern- operatively to develop priorities for so- racy and can have grave results — such ments. New Democrats will, through cial policy and set Canada-wide stan- as 1988 when the Mulroney Tories, these new partnerships, provide direct dards for social programs. with 43 per cent of the vote, dragged help for struggling cities as they cope Canadians into the Free Trade Agree- • Recognize Quebecers as a people, with their responsibilities to provide ment even though most Canadians op- which means embracing Quebec as a di- mass transit, affordable housing, urban posed it. New Democrats will establish verse, multi-ethnic society and the cen- redevelopment, and settlement services an election reform commission to con- tre of one of the two linguistic societies to new Canadians. sult with Canadians on the best way to to which immigrants to Canada belong introduce proportional representation. and recognizing that Quebec must have We’ll work to build the tools necessary to respond to the a new democracy New Democrats are committed to mak- challenges this fact entails. ing government more accountable. As a further element of responsive fed- New Democrats will: • Secure justice for Aboriginal peoples eralism, New Democrats will support and First Nations and recognize the in- reforms that will enhance the ability of • Abolish the Senate. herent right to self-government. Canadians to work together to create • Amend the Elections Act to incorpo- the kind of Canada they want — not • Make the recommendations of the rate funding of party leadership cam- the Canada the large corporations Royal Commission on Aboriginal Af- paigns under the disclosure require- want. fairs a priority. Resources devoted to ment. negotiating land claims settlements A system of proportional representation • Remove the prime minister’s arbi- should be increased to step up the pace will ensure that Canadians can make trary power to make unilateral appoint- of resolving these disputes and acceler- their vote count in every election. Our ments without any checks or balances. ate negotiations on self-government. current system of electing Members of Parliament distorts results so that a mi- • Give the House of Commons au- • Protect French-speaking minorities nority normally forms government and thority to ratify international agree- outside Quebec by ensuring that the makes decisions for the majority. This ments and decisions to send Canadian principle of co-decision will apply to is an affront to the very idea of democ- military personnel abroad. the provision of the tools these minori-

Think how much better Canada could be. The NDP Commitment to Canadians. PAGE 19 You may obtain a copy of this document from www.ndp.ca

PUBLISHED BY CANADA’S NEW DEMOCRATS FALL, 2000

Authorized by the Registered Agent for the New Democratic Party of Canada

Think how much better Canada could be. The NDP Commitment to Canadians. PAGE 20