This Party Platform Is Part of a Historical Collection That Was Originally Collated by D

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This party platform is part of a historical collection that was originally collated by D. Owen Carrigan. This unique collection was published by The CoppClark Publishing Company in 1968 as a book entitled Canadian Party Platforms 1867-1968.

We wish to sincerely thank Pearson Ed, the new owners of Copp Clark Publishing Company, for graciously accepting to help preserve this historical document through the POLTEXTwebsite for consultation and use by researchers and students of Canadian history and politics.

Please cite this document as follows:

Liberal Party of Canada. (1949). «Resolutions Adopted by the Third National Liberal Convention». ln D. Owen Carrigan. 1968. Canadian Party Platforms 1867-1968, Toronto, ON: The Copp Clark Publishing Company, (181-187).

Cette plateforme politique provient d'une compilation historique effectuée par D. Owen Carrigan. Cette collection unique a été publiée par The Copp Clark Publishing Company en 1968 sous le titre Canadian Party Platforms 1867-1968.

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Parti libéral du Canada. (1949). «Resolutions Adopted by the Third National Liberal Convention». ln D. Owen Carrigan. 1968. Canadian Party Platforms 1867-1968, Toronto, ON: The Copp Clark Publishing Company, (181-187). CAMPAIGN OF 1949 181

Real protection to women as first-c1ass citizens That is why your crusade for decent wages, and governmental care for their special problems lower priees, social security and better homes is and necessities such as equal pay for equal work, inseparable from the fight for peace. To vote in medical care and maternaI benefits under health defense of your own family and home in Canada, insurance at time of childbirth, federal assistance you must also vote for peace in the worId. Use to child day-care centres and nurseries. your vote to drive home your demand for a New Deal. Use it to elect fighters for Peace! Vote for Peace, Democracy, Jobs and Homes! PROTECT CANADIAN DEMOCRACY!

28. Outlaw ail forms of anti-Semitism and every expression of racial and religious bigotry. Pass a fair employment practices act. 29. Full equality for French Canada. Liberal Platform of 1949 30. Abolish the Senate and appeals to the Privy Council. ["Resolutions Adopted by the Third National 31. Repeal the present National Labor Code. Liberal Convention Ottawa, 1948," The Liberal Enact guarantees of labor's right to collective Party of Canada (Ottawa: National Liberal Fed- bargaining, to strike, and to elect union officiais eration, 1957), pp. 63-9] of their own free choice "in a new labor code as demanded by organized labor. No more "govern- Liberalism has three key words: Unit y, Security, ment by order-in-council." Freedom. Liberal policies are those whieh protect, 32. A Canadian Bill of Rights, guaranteeing sustain and enlarge the freedom of the individual. freedom of speech, freedom of religion, freedom The Liberal believes no man is fit to exercise of press and association. Quash the Quebec Pad- irresponsible power over others. He believes in lock Law. Equal economie and citizenship rights freedom because he believes the resources of for lndian and Eskimo peoples. human personality and endeavour to be rich and varied beyond calculation or prediction. He be- This is the platform of living democracy. The lieves in freedom because he believes the com- fight for this platform is a great people's crusade. munit y of individuaIs associated in family, church This is your platform. This is your crusade. and diverse free associations to be broader in ex- Your experience in the fight for the real interests tent and richer in experience than the state. of the people shows the need for a democratie The Liberal believes in progress because he be- people's government to save the nation from war lieves in the capacity and judgment of ordinary and a new economie crisis. We work for the people; and because the Liberal believes in liberty broadest democratie unit y to achieve such a gov- and progress he believes also in security for aIl ernment. At the same time in the course of the citizens as giving them more freedom for a better day-to-day battles for the immediate interests of and fuller Iife. our people, we, of the Labor-Progressive Party, The Liberal believes in unity because the in- point out that the basic causes of unemployment, dividual must work with others and "in unity is crisis, fascism and war, can be rernoved only by freedom". the establishment of socialism through the demo- The Liberal philosophy is a distinct and posi- cratic will of the majority of the Canadian people. tive view of human affairs and not a compromise. ln the election battle to win the peace and to Liberalism rejects the unreasoning preservation, preserve and extend democratie and economie in the name of freedom, of outworn existing ar- rights, the Canadian people will strengthen their rangements and measures. It rejects the mainten- movement for a new social order where the ex- ance of privilege however historie, Liberalism ploitation of man by man will cease. equally rejects the theory that state ownership of The profiteer and the warmonger are one and the instruments of production in itself constitutes the same. The union-smashing bosses, who block progress and a solution of social problems. The decent wages, good housing and hate democracy course of human development is not to be ex- at home, are the littIe Caesars who are driving to plained by a materialist formula. war abroad. There's profit in high priees, union- Liberalism is diametrically opposed to Com- smashing and red-baiting at home. There's more munism. profit still for them in a new war-until the day Liberalism is a fighting faith, not a static creed. of reckoning and ruin. Jt renews itself and gains new life as it attacks 182 CANADIAN PARTY PLATFORMS

each fresh objective thrown up by the changes of Liberalism, in the future as in the past, will history. devote itself to the development of Confederation, The Liberal faces the new problems of a new remembering always the meaning of the word and age able to adopt new methods and deviees, but its assumption of union in diversity. It will con- guided by a tested philosophy. He finds freedom tinue to keep united the elements which, scattered only in security and security only in freedom. over half a continent, make up the Canadian people. The Liberal party of Canada stands for- The Liberal party stands for the effective par- 1. The importance and dignity of the individual ticipation of ail the people of Canada in the na- and the family. tional life as emphasized by the enactment of the 2. The preservation and extension of political Citizenship Act. liberty as a means to ensure economie and ail As a symbol of national unity the Liberal party other liberties. favours an exclusively Canadian flag. 3. The supreme command of the people over the parliament and legislatures, the members of which they elect; and the responsibility of govern- EXPANSION OF TRADE ment to the people through their elected repre- sentatives. The Liberal party through its policies has made 4. The existence and operation of democratie- Canada the third trading nation in the world. The ally organized political parties. prosperity of every part of Canada depends on an 5. The equality of ail citizens before the law. expanding trade. 6. The independence of the judiciary. The Liberal party stands for- 7. The organization of human relations to the a) the reduction and removal of world trade end that each person shall be safe against ail forms barriers; of oppression or exploitation whether by the state b) continued arrangements to facilitate trade or by other individuals or interests. between countries of the British Commonwealth; 8. The encouragement of individual effort and c) further reciprocal trade agreements with the personal initiative consistent with the interests of United States and other countries and the earliest ail the people. possible removal of emergency restrictions and ex- 9. The provision of adequate social security. port embargoes; 10. The equality of women in the functioning d) encouragement of cnergetic steps by private of the democratie state. industry to develop export markets; support of ex- Il. The continued encouragement of young ports in periods of need by export credits and in- people to participate in the work of government surance; expansion of the trade Commissioner and of the party. service and successful enterprises like the Inter- 12. The maintenance of Canada as a federal national Trade Fair; union and respect for the constitutional rights of e) encouragement of industrial diversification; her provinces. f) continuation of the .work of the Canadian Government Travel Bureau and other steps to ex- NATIONAL UNITY pand the tourist trade as a great industry and a powerful means to strengthen the ties of friend- The Liberal Party is truly a national party. It ship between nations. has its roots deeply implanted in every Province of Canada, and within the ranks of ail classes of the Canadian people. From its inception it has SUPPORT OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHING fought strenuously for the autonomy of the Cana- dian people,-the upbuilding of a great Cana- The Liberal party recognizes that, not only dian nation as their ideal. economically but socially, agriculture is Canada's It firmly believes that national unity can be most important industry. Throughout the war achieved and maintained through full recognition years and since the end of the war the farmer in the spirit, and in the letter, of the rights and made an immense contribution of human effort privileges of the diverse elements which make up to meet the constant demands for production. It the population of Canada. A truly national Cana- is essential that agriculture in Canada as a whole dian spirit can only be fostered, and maintained, should enjoy a sound economie position, with a if regional and provincial aspirations develop a greater degree of stability and security so as to noble loyalty to the one common country. avoid the violent fluctuations of priees which have CAMPAIGN OF 1949 183 occurred in the pasto The way of life of the farm- CONSERVATION AND DEVELOPMENT OF NATURAL er is in itself a great national asset and his pros- RESOURCES perit y is the foundation of national prosperity. It is the policy of the Liberal party to foster that The Liberal party recognizes that Canada has prosperity through secure markets at fair priees. been specially favoured by Providence with a great The Liberal party supports measures to this end wealth of natural resources, much of which is incIuding: still undeveloped. The Liberal party strongly sup- a) establishment of that type of marketing ports: legislation which will enable agriculture to market a) The adoption by the Government of Can- farrn produce to the best advantage in domestic ada, in co-operation with the Provinces, of a vigor- and world markets; ous development of our naturaI resources in b) seeking external markets through inter- accordance with a programme of research, explor- national co-operation; ation, survey, access roads and the Iike, which c) encouraging co-operative enterprises, and will provide for the conservation and progressive the enactment of any federal legislation necessary development of agriculture, forests, mining, fish- in that behalf; ing, animal Iife, water-power, and national parks; d) reducing the costs of production; b) Continued support of the National Research e) extending research facilities, experimental Council and the other research agencies of the stations and demonstration projects to increase government. production and to find new uses for products; f) co-operation between Federal and Provincial IMMIGRATION governments in improving quality to increase marketability; The Liberal party is in favour of an extensive g) stabiIity and security to agriculture as pro- policy of selective immigration, particularly of dis- vided by the agriculture Priees Support Act; placed persons and relatives of Canadians, having h) co-operation between Federal and Provincial regard to the capacity of the country to absorb governments in irrigation and soil conservation immigrants without injury to a weIl baJanced projects. economy or making a fundamental alteration in i) reducing the rate of interest on government- the character of our population, based on a com- sponsored farm credit and increasing its avail- prehensive nation-wide survey of the requirements ability. of each province so that aIl immigrants can be The Liberal party recognizes the important part rapidly absorbed without injury to a weIl balanced played by fishing in the national economy and in economy. the Iife of the nation. ln addition to the measures advocated above, insofar as these are applicable to IMPROVED TRANSPORTATION fishing, the Liberal party supports: a) The extension of the programmes of fishery The Liberal party recognizes that transportation development, incIuding inshore and offshore fish- has been a major economie problem of Canada. ing, to increase the stocks of the valuable species, The overhead cost of linking East and West to- thereby adding income and continuity of fishing. gether has been a national concern from the b) The institution of new programmes designed earliest days. While great material achievements to widen the domestic and foreign markets for fish have been made, changes in operating costs and with inspection of fish from sea to table and im- new methods of transportation are continually proved methods of preparing, storing, and market- afIecting the situation. ing. The Liberal party stands for: c) Low cost fishing equipment, establishment a) the maintenance of the integrity of the Can- of adequate landing facilities, of safe anchorages, adian National Railways and the Trans-Canada adequate aids to navigation, and encouragement of Airlines as publicIy-owned and publicIy-controlled improved fishing practices. services; b) the appointment of a Royal Commission to thoroughly review and investigate the whole Can- SOIL CONSERVATION AND LAND USE adian transportation rate probJem other than i) the prescriptions contained in the proviso The Liberal party realizes that our soil is our to sub-section 5 of Section 325 of the Rail- greatest national resource and believes that we way Act and in the Maritime Freight Rates should have a National Soil Conservation and Act, and Land Act for Canada. ii) the application now pending before the 184 CANADIAN PARTY PLATFORMS

Transport Board for a removal of the moun- RECOGNIZED PLACE OF LABOUR lN THE tain differentials in order amongst other COMMUNlTY things. a) to prepare recommendations for an im- The Liberal party recognizes the great contri- proved uniform basic rate structure for bution of labour to the united effort of the country Canada, and as to accounting problems in the struggle for freedom in the Second World insofar as they affect uniformity of ac- War. Labour is not a commodity but a principal counts, and the segregation of railways mainstay of national life. The Liberal party assets from non-railway assets and their affirms the principle of the co-operation of man- incidence on fixed charged, dividends agement, workers and the community. and other income. The Liberal party urges the Federal and Pro- b) to consider and report upon the princi- vincial governments, within their jurisdiction, to ples and finding of facts upon which develop good relations between labour, manage- the recent order of The Transport Board ment and the community by: for a 21 % increase in freight was based. a) the promotion of joint labour and manage- ment committees; c) Consideration being given to the reference to said Royal Commission of the question of in- b) adequate representation of labour on boards vestigating the extent, if any, to which the daims and agencies of governments; of Western Canada that subventions should be c) the enactment of measures which experience paid from the National Treasury to compensate with the new Labour Code may show to be neces- for inequalities in the burden of transportation sary to promote collective bargaining, the seule- costs as between the four economie areas of Can- ment of disputes, and improve industrial relations; ada should be allowed. Such Royal Commission d) maintaining conditions favourable to fair inter alia shall give consideration to the daims of wages, vacations with pay, fair employment prac- Western Canada that a large expenditure of money tices, union security, improved working conditions, has been made by the government of Canada to full employment, all to the end that workers may build canals and other public works in central receive just treatment and a fair share of the Canada to improve water transportation, thereby revenue of production, with due regard to their forcing competitive rates down in central Canada enforcement. resulting in rates elsewhere having to be increased to provide necessary railway revenues; SOCIAL SECURITY and also the further daim that national policy has caused trade to flow in uneconomic channels, The Liberal party stands for a national pro- whereby, for example, the trade of the prairies in gramme of social security in collaboration with large measure has had to pass over a large unpro- federal and provincial governments with the ductive area, so far as freight revenues are con- foIlowing objectives: useful employment for aIl cerned, between the prairies and central Canada, who are willing to work, standards of nutrition with a resulting extra freight rate burden on the and housing adequate to ensure the health of the prairies which extra burden should, in equity, be whole population; social insurance against pri- borne at least in part by the nation as a whole. vation resulting from unemployment, from dis- d) The development by the governments of ability, from ill health and from old age. Canada and the United States of the St. Lawrence The programme will include a steady extension waterways system as a further means to bridge the of insurance on a contributory basis to protect ail distances which divide the country, as a source of citizens from a temporary loss of income and to power needed for national development, and as a provide for their old age; health insurance cover- strategie measures of major importance. ing medical, dental, surgi cal and hospital health e) Completion of the Trans-Canada Highway. services on a contributory basis; more equal care f) Support of the Canadian Maritime Com- and opportunity for aU children through family mission in its policy of developing a Canadian allowances; and pensions for the blind. Merchant Marine and the protection of this Merchant Marine against foreign competition HOUSING whilst trading in Canadian waters. g) Necessary amendments to the Canadian The Liberal party recognizes the vital social Shipping Act 1934 so as to crea te a distinctive importance of the housing problem in Canada, Registry of Canadian ships. and the value of the efforts made under Federal CAMPAIGN OF 1949 185

legislation in dealing with it, The great need of the justices and complexities and to bring about the moment is to provide suitable homes for a vast further simplification of tax forms and procedures, number of people of small income, who are now and the avoidance of double taxation. living in conditions inconsistent with good citizenship. To this end, the Liberal party stands for an adequate programme in co-operation with the EXTERNAL CO-OPERATION provinces and municipalities, of low cost housing, subsidized if necessary, by the Federal Govern- The Liberal party believes in co-operation be- ment. tween nations as between individuals, to be achieved under a system of collective security. The Liberal party believes that Canada should VETERANS WELFARE continue to work for the development of the United Nations as an agency for the maintenance The Liberal party expresses its admiration of of peace and security and the promotion of the achievements of the men and women who human welfare. served in our Armed Forces in both World Wars. The relations of Canada with the nations of the ln the Veterans' Charter, Canada established British Commonwealth are closer and more cordial mast comprehensive provisions for her veterans. than they have ever been, and over the years These provisions are being constantly amended Canada's relations with the United States have and improved in the lightof experience in their been especially friendly. administration. It will ever be a prime object of Liberal policy The Liberal party realizes that, as time goes on, to work for the maintenance of the fraternal as- additional needs will be brought to light, par- sociations of the British and American peoples. ticularly regarding disabled and aged veterans and We equally hope that they will march in a larger the dependents of those whose deaths were caused company, in which ail the nations will be united by war service, and assures veterans and depen- in the service of mankind. dents that adequate provision will be made to meet The Liberal party favours the association of such needs. Canada with the United Kingdom, the United States, and the free countries of Europe in a North Atlantic security arrangement under the SOUND FISCAL POLICY Charter of the United Nations.

The Liberal party recognizes that the debt charges of Canada have been greatly increased in ADEQUATE NATIONAL DEFENCE consequence of Canada's part in two World Wars. The national budget has been greatly added to by The Liberal party supports a defence policy for Canada which shall have as its aim increased services of aIl kinds, making it more than ever desirable that there should be the utmost a) to provide the forces to defend Canada economy in controlled government expenditures. against attack; The tax burden should as far as possible be dis- b) to provide operational and administrative tributed equitably and in accordance with the staffs, equipment, training personnel and reserve capacity to pay. ln reducing taxes first, consider- organization capable of rapid expansion; ation should be given to easing the burden on the c) to work out with other free nations plans for lowest income groups, and to reduce those forms joint defence based on self-help and mutual aid of taxation which interfere with freedom of trade, as part of a combined effort ta preserve peace and increase the cost of living, restrict incentive, or to restrain aggression. otherwise discourage the expansion of employment. REFORMS lN THE NATIONAL INTEREST The Liberal party believes that fiscal poIicies should be designed to promote the expansion of A-Supreme Court of Canada national production and national income, with The Liberal party believes that the Supreme reasonable debt reduction and lower governmental Court of Canada should be the highest judicial expenditures in time of high employment and authority for Canada. increased public investment and tax reduction B-Electoral Reform when required to stimulate employment. The Liberal Party stands for electoral laws The Liberal party is in favour of the continu- which will ensure the true representation of the ous scrutiny of our tax legislation to rem ove in- Canadian people in Parliament; and in order to 186 CANADIAN PARTY PLATFORMS improve the procedure and reduce the cost of should be made available to industry in the Mari- elections is in favour of the examination and time Provinces. review of the present Dominion Elections Act. c) That Trade treaties should be negotiated C-Penal Reform giving consideration to the marketing of the The Liberal party stands for measures to reform natural products of the Maritime Provinces, their and modernize the penal system so that rehabili- fish and lumber and products of farm and mine. tation and rec1amation of the offender rather than d) That Maritime transportation problems re- punishment alone may be accomplished along the ceive attention with a view to improving aerial lines of the Archambault Report. facilities and making fullest possible use of Mari- time ports.

DOMINION-PROVINCIAL RELATIONS EMPLOYMENT AND A HIGH STANDARD OF LIVING The Liberal party recommends that the pro- posaIs placed before the Dominion-Provincial The Liberal party affirms as its aim the attain- Conference of 1945 and 1946 remain its objective ment of a high and stable level of prosperity and and stands ready to support the implementation employment and income by encouraging agri- of these. culture, industry and trade, with fair wages for workers and fair priees for primary producers. Liberalism recognizes reasonable profits as the MARITIME PROVINCES best means to stimulate production, for without production there can neither be prosperity nor Whereas the Maritime Provinces are an impor- security. A free economy distributes plenty rather tant part of Canada and essential to its well-being than rations scarcity,-it provides for more and in peace and in war, and more people a larger share of more and more. Whereas the people of these provinces have not The Liberal party believes in the minimum of enjoyed the increase in population, in industry, in interference and control by the state in the daily commerce and in wealth at the same rate as other lives and occupations of the people and is opposed parts of Canada, so that instead of standing the to any system of overall control of the economy; highest in per capita wealth as at the time of Con- but it is in favour of intervention or assistance by federation, these provinces have relatively de- the government when required to meet the needs c1ined, and of the people. Whereas it should be the objective of the The Liberal party supports: Liberal party that Canadians should enjoy equal a) Private enterprise to main tain and increase opportunities to build their homes, rear their production; families and engage in productive effort and employment as weil in one province as in an- b ) Measures to combat arrangements which other, and weaken competition, create rnonopolies, unjustly Whereas successive Royal Commissions have affect priees or produce scarcities; recognized that inequalities have existed and as c) Action by the state in those fields in which revealed by recent reports of the Dominion Bureau the public interest calls for public enterprise; of Statistics such inequalities still exist, and d) A public investrnent programme co-ordi- Whereas the Maritimes' natural access to world nated with provincial and municipal programmes markets by sea routes has been hampered by and times to be increased or decreased to offset National Policy and interprovincial trade handi- fluctuations in the national economy. capped by high freight-rates and inadequate high- e) Continued Federal assistance to provide way facilities. suitable housing for low and medium income Therefore be it resolved that measures calcu- families; to clear slums, to aid in cornmunity lated to remedy the foregoing conditions be insti- planning, and to encourage research on building tuted and particularly: methods; and continued federal co-operation with a) That the principles underlying the Maritime the provinces and municipalities, to achieve a Freight Rates Act be indorsed and applied so as steady improvement in housing. to give effect to the original purpose recommended f) That where priee increases in any field have by the Duncan Commission on Maritime Claims. proven to be unreasonable, selective priee con troIs b) That decentralization of industry should be should be reimposed for the protection of the encouraged and for this end cheap electric power consumer. CAMPAIGN OF 1949 187

[The Sydney Post-Record, May-June, 1949] TRANS-CANADA HIGHWAY

HEALTH INSURANCE The government will be ready to contribute ta a Trans-Canada highway just as soon as agreement The LiberaIs' aim is a nation-wide contributory is reached with the provinces. "H probably is health insurance plan which will end, for every- desirable in the national interest to have a con- one, the tragedy of inadequate health care and the necting link from coast to coast." financial strain of lengthy illness. TRANSPORTATION PENSIONS There is "an immense amount of work to be OId Age Pensions and pensions for the blind done in the modernization of our railways and the have been steadily increased by the Liberal gov- improvement of other transportation facilities to ernment. But it isn't stopping there. Its aim is a bring aIl parts of Canada more closely together nation-wide plan of contributory pensions which and to link us more closely to our natural export will help everyone to enjoy a comfortable and markets." secure old age-automatically and as a right. RAILWAY UNION HOUSING "Liberals want neither the sort of railway union The Liberal government is ready to help solve advocated by the C.C.F. nor the kind the Pro- the low-rental housing problem and has offered its gressive Conservatives secretly want." cooperation to provinces and municipalities.

NATIONAL SECURITY

The Atlantic Pact against aggression and war Progressive Conservative Platform has the complete support of all LiberaIs. of 1949

A NEW MANDATE [The Sydney Post-Record, June 9, 1949]

"We are asking you now for a new mandate- 1 have now visited ail ten provinces since Parlia- a mandate to continue to work for peace and ment was dissolved. ln one thing there is wide- security, for trade and prosperity, for full employ- spread agreement throughout the whole of Cana- ment and social security, for complete recognition da: it is time for a change. The important thing of Canadian nationhood and the development of for ail Canadians to decide between now and June all aspects of our national life." 27th is what that change will be. On earlier occasions over the radio 1 have put forward some T AX REVENUES of the reasons why a change is so necessary if we are to restore Parliament to the people and lift the "The Liberal Party aims at the widest possible burden of taxation and arbitrary controls from the distribution of the good things of Iife and one of shoulders of those who are doing the work of the the most effective approaches to this is to ensure nation in aIl their many daily tasks. At this time, that the great sources of tax revenues . . . . are with the election four weeks away, 1 would Iike to not monopolized by two or three of the wealthier review some of the major details of the Declar- provinces." ation of Policy which was drafted and unani- mously approved by tbe delegates of our Party DISLOYALTY from every constituency in Canada and represent- ing every occupation. 1 have already referred at "There are two ways to fight the enemies of different times to many of its detaiIs. This is no freedom in our country and we have stern hastily-drafted election manifesto. It is not my measures against those who are proven traitors statement of policy, or statement prepared by any and those who actuaIly foment disorder, but we group or committee. It expressed the unanimous shall not turn prosecution into persecution and opinion of delegates from every province who met we should be careful not to lose our freedom try- in Ottawa from September 30th to October 2nd ing to save it." last year.