Bloc Quebecois Platform

Transcription

1 Trade Justice Bloc Quebecois Platform Propose that the federal government puts forward a more realistic plan regarding international aid so that it reaches the target set by the UN of 0.7% of the GNP by Provide $2 billion each year for affordable housing. Create a Family Tax Credit for families with children. Reform the Employment Insurance system so that it covers more contributors (Dec. 19 letter.) Defence Ensure that the Standing Committee on National Defence studies any proposal for spending on military equipment over $100 million. Demand that the government consult meaningfully with Canadians on the purpose of the army before going forward with huge spending. Support troops and veterans that are victims of post-traumatic stress disorder, and the use of Agent Orange. Multilateralism Demand the federal government take every possible measure to counter the worst aspects of globalization such as tax havens and flags of convenience, and, conversely, that it supports the initiatives of equitable commerce and responsible investment. Support greater democratization of the process for adopting international treaties and developing foreign policy.

2 Trade Justice Conservative Party Platform Retain all current commitments up to 2010, i.e., 8% annual increases and the special $500 million increase for 2006/7 and 2007/8. Add $425 million in total up to Reach the OECD average (currently 0.42%) for aid spending by Concentrate 's foreign aid on fewer countries and in countries that face genuine poverty and have a sincere desire to pursue human rights and good governance. Reverse the recent Liberal trend of taking aid dollars away from Canadian NGOs and giving it to large multilateral organizations. On HIV/AIDS: Clearly more needs to be done. (Dec. 1, Press Release). Double the size and capacity of the Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART) based at CFB Kingston, to enhance international disaster relief capability. Concentrate debt relief in countries that face genuine poverty and have a sincere desire to pursue human rights and good governance. N/A Provide families with a new $1200 per year Choice in Child Care Allowance for each child under six, starting in 2006, to supplement the Child Tax Benefit, the National Child Benefit Supplement and the Child Care Expenses Deduction. Invest $250 million annually for five years to help employers and communities create 25,000 new child care spaces per year. Honour the government s existing one-year bilateral commitments to provinces for institutional child care. Defence Increase defence spending to reach $1.8 billion over currently projected levels by (Dec 13, PR) Acquire a fleet of at least three strategic lift aircraft, based at CFB Trenton, and continue to replace s tactical airlift fleet of C- 130 Hercules aircraft and fixed wing search-and-rescue aircraft at CFB Trenton and elsewhere. Create a 650-strong airborne battalion, to be stationed at CFB Trenton, available for rapid or difficult deployments for emergency, humanitarian, or military operations. Multilateralism Enforce Canadian sovereignty in the North.

3 Green Party Platform Support the provision of royalty-free and low-cost AIDS medicines for Africa, Asia and South America. Increase foreign aid spending to 0.5 per cent of GDP by 2010, and meet 's commitment to spend at least 0.7 per cent by Deliver humanitarian aid and assistance effectively and efficiently. Provide security for international aid and development groups on the ground as well as assist international aid agencies and local authorities in implementing environmental protection and restoration measures. Erase debts with emerging countries that have been in default for over 10 years. Trade Justice Renegotiate our multilateral trade agreements, such as NAFTA and the upcoming FTAA, to include fair trade tariffs that work to protect human rights and our ecosystems, as well as terminate investor-state dispute mechanisms that erode 's sovereignty and environmental laws. Propose a reform of the WTO, the IMF and the World Bank, placing these institutions under the authority of the UN general assembly, and shift the direction of international trade away from "free trade" to "fair trade" focusing on the global protection of human rights, labour standards, cultural diversity, and ecosystems. Pass the Well-Being Measurement Act and implement the Canadian Index of Well-being. Create a Comprehensive Anti-Poverty Strategy for. Expand child tax credits and benefits. Create tax incentives for businesses to implement flexible schedules and on-site child care. Support a nation-wide healthy lunch and snacks program from K-12. Boost funding for early childhood education and work with other governments to link local childcare and education centres into a national network. Support child-focused programs that boost self-confidence and foster a love of learning. Defence Declare a military nuclear-free zone and abstain from participating in the development or use of space-based weapons.

4 Multilateralism Work to establish a standing international peacekeeping force under UN control. Create a Rapid Response Force with a mandate for peacekeeping and environmental restoration in both international crisis situations and domestic catastrophes like floods, earthquakes, storms and fires and ensure that this Force has the training and the means to deliver its support. Propose a reform of the UN Security Council, eliminating vetoes and expanding membership. Work to increase the influence of the International Court of Justice. Advocate a viable and secure state for Palestine and a secure state for Israel. Actively engage with the Chinese government to advance a federal model "Middle Path" approach to the Tibet issue. Initiate a review of 's current international security alliances. Promote and support the international missions of the United Nations.

5 Liberal Party Platform Retain the commitment to increase s ODA by 8 per cent annually. Establish the Pearson Scholarships ($60 million over five years) that would provide 50 scholarships for scholars from s 25 development-partner countries to study in, and for 25 Canadians to study abroad in fields such as multilateralism, international development and human rights. N/A Trade Justice Establish a Corporate Social Responsibility Centre to help ensure Canadian activities in emerging markets foster social and environmental goals. Make new investments in early childhood development and address deficiencies in the K-12 system to support Aboriginal children. Extend current commitment of $5 billion over five years for early learning and child care (ELCC) to at least $6 billion from 2010 to Make not-for-profit ELCC facilities eligible for the Strategic Infrastructure Fund and the Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund. Develop a National Quality Framework to support evidencebased benchmarks for future ELCC programs. Defence Restructure domestic military operations under a unified command. Add 5,000 regular troops and 3,000 reserves and provide up-todate equipment, enabling to better address humanitarian catastrophes and peace operations. Invest $13 billion over five years in such items as a new tactical airlift fleet, new medium-heavy capacity helicopters, logistics trucks, search and rescue utility aircraft and specialized facilities for Joint Task Force Two. Pursue the 3D approach (defence, diplomacy and development). Invest $20 million over five years in the Pearson Peacekeeping Centre. Multilateralism Press for UN reform. Advocate for an L-20 to bring together some 20 leaders of leading countries from the developed and developing world to address pressing problems. Lead a campaign at the UN to establish a treaty that will ban weapons in space.

6 New Democratic Party Platform Honour the Millennium Development Goals and commit immediately, through a plan, to increase s aid budget to 0.7% of s GDP by Improve our aid effectiveness by strengthening the partnership with civil society, both in and overseas. Introduce legislation before the next federal budget that establishes poverty reduction as the priority for s Official Development Assistance (ODA). Ensure the increased funding is reflected in the federal budget. Immediately implement the Pledge to Africa legislation to send drugs to developing countries to support the fight against HIV/AIDS. Develop an aggressive debt cancellation strategy for eligible countries. Trade Justice Increase the Child Tax Benefit by $1,000 per child above currently scheduled increases and inflation adjustments. This will be directed to the first tier of the benefit, which is not subject to clawback of provincial social assistance benefits. Enact legislation to establish an independent Children s Commissioner to monitor, advocate and recommend on behalf of the rights and welfare of s children; the Children s Commissioner shall report annually to Parliament. Defence Insist Parliament review important defence agreements such as the 2006 NORAD renewal agreement and Canadian Forces integration with the United States military. Reorient s defence procurement to support the priorities of peacekeeping, peacemaking, humanitarian and environmental support operations. Total defence spending would not be reduced. Good pay, family support, and good basic equipment are priorities. Commit Canadian troops to overseas operations only under the auspices of international peace and security organizations. Speed up the identification, location and cleanup of all DND chemical dumpsites (both on land and at sea). Speed up the investigation and compensation of military and civilian personnel exposed to Agent Orange/Agent Purple. Multilateralism Take leadership on the issues of peace and nuclear disarmament.