Ethics and Liberal Corruption

Canada's had enough of the Liberals' corruption - but the Conservatives' "accountability" package is weaker than what it replaces.

Health Care

Most Canadians dearly want to see Canada's public health care system alive and properly funded. Yet the Liberals cut billions from health transfers, and privatization crept in to fill the void this created. Now our public health care system is under threat as never before.

Opportunities through education and training

Tuition fees have almost tripled in the last 14 years, rising 5 times faster than inflation. But the budget the Liberals tabled in 2005 included billions of corporate tax cuts they hadn't even promised, and nothing to make education more affordable.

Clean air, clean water & the environment

The Liberals promised to cut pollution by 20% by 2005. Instead, pollution is up by 24%. Our greenhouse emissions have gone up too. Meanwhile, Harper has pulled us out of Kyoto!

Protecting workers' pensions

If a company goes bankrupt, its workers' pensions are last on the list. And 59% of Canadian corporate pension plans are underfunded to begin with. The NDP is the only party who will do something about this.

Housing & homelessness

Millions of Canadians don't have adequate housing, and 1/5 of all renters spend more than 50% of their income on rent.

International Aid

As Canadians, we're proud of our humanitarian record. We have the means, the ability and the compassion to reach out to others in need. It's an important part of our national identity. But under Paul Martin, Canada's foreign aid levels have slipped, and we're not meeting all of our international aid committments -- despite record budget surpluses. In 1992, we committed to increase the quantity and quality of our aid to the world's poorest countries; by 2002, our aid to the least developed countries had fallen by almost 50% in real terms.

Honouring obligations to Aboriginal Canadians

Kingstonians were shocked to learn about the contaminated drinking water on the Kashechewan, and many other, reserves. But contaminated water isn't the only problem Aboriginal Canadians face. Housing and health care in many Aboriginal communities is inadequate. Aboriginal people have higher rates of infectious and chronic disease, and Aboriginal babies are more likely to be born underweight or premature, or die before their first birthday. Meanwhile, treaty negotiations keep stalling, and the Liberal government never implemented the nine-year-old recommendations of the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples. Even the UN has condemned Canada's record on respecting treaty rights.

Immigration

With birth rates falling, Canada needs the skills and diversity of new immigrants to keep us strong. But under the Liberals, immigration is down and immigration backlogs are up. The Liberals have had 12 years to address the issue of recognizing foreign credentials, so doctors, engineers and other professionals can practice their much-needed skills in Canada -- but after 12 years, they still have no plan, let alone progress.

Balanced budgets

The Liberals support balancing the budget by cutting funding for health, education and housing to fund corporate tax cuts. The NDP is committed to balanced budgets that invest in Canadians and Canadians' future.

Creating Canadian Jobs

Canada's unemployment rate is at a historic low right now -- largely due to oil prices, not Liberal policy. But Canada's been bleeding good manufacturing jobs, in favor of jobs that offer less pay, less security and weaker pensions. Kingston has seen manufacturing jobs leave the city, to be replaced by low-paying retail and seasonal tourist jobs. The NDP will invest in the infrastructure industry needs, and the education and training Canadians need.

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