Introduction
You can use this tool to explore each party's policy on pretty much anything. Some parties may not have a policy on everything, and some may just not have announced theirs yet.
Feel free to mark each policy with a ,
, or
. We'll keep track, and tally up which party you agree with most on the final page.
Agriculture & Food
Agricultural business
Liberal
- Make Canada the world's second-largest exporter of agricultural products by 2025.
- Merge existing financial and advisory services into Farm Credit Canada.
- Increase Farm and Food Development Canada's capital lending capability to $5b/year.
Canada Grain Act
Diversity of growers
Farmer protections
Liberal
Food waste
Green farming
Green
- Establish emissions targets.
- Fund research and support for farmers shifting to organic and regenerative farming systems.
- Renew the Environmental Farm Plan Program to help farmers protect wildlife habitat, maintain water quality.
- Improve soil quality.
Establish climate change emission targets for all components of the food system, including nitrogen fertilizer use, livestock production and transportation.
Fund research and extend support for farmers shifting from conventional to organic and regenerative farming systems which work with nature, not against it, to produce food.
Renew the national Environmental Farm Plan Program to help farmers protect wildlife habitat areas and marginal lands, maintain water quality in streams, lakes and aquifers, and retain and improve soil quality, increase carbon sequestration and decrease water requirements.
Restore the Prairie Farm Rehabilitation measures for adaptation to drought conditions.
Restructure Canada’s Business Risk Management Programs to help farmers cope with climate risk, with the focus on disaster assistance.
From Election Platform 2019, retrieved 2019-09-22.
Indigenous food sovereignty
NDP
Locally-grown food
NDP
Green
- Invest $2.5m/year into a land and quota trust program and farming apprenticeship programs to expand local small-scale agriculture.
- Set targets for domestic production.
- Rooftop gardens.
- Re-establish infrastructure for local food production.
- Preserve and record existing farmland.
Invest $2.5 million per year into a land and quota trust program and farming apprenticeship programs to expand local small-scale agriculture and help new farmers get started.
Set a target to replace a third of Canada’s food imports with domestic production, increasing regional food self-reliance and returning 15 billion food dollars back into our economy.
Support rooftop and community gardens and urban food production systems to increase access to local food.
Assist in re-establishing the infrastructure for local food production in canneries, slaughterhouses and other value-added food processing.
Protect supply management systems while allowing production for local markets outside this system.
Reinstate the Canada Land Inventory program to provide a comprehensive record of existing and potential agricultural land.
Provide effective fiscal incentives to other levels of government to preserve farmlands under their jurisdictions.
From Election Plan 2019, retrieved 2019-09-22.
Mental health of growers
NDP
Nutrition North
Payment protection for growers
NDP
Supply management
NDP
An NDP government will make sure that farmers are fully compensated for the losses they have incurred, and will defend Canadian agricultural products like canola from unfair retaliation in overseas markets.
Treatment of farm animals
Green
Adopt animal welfare legislation to prevent inhumane treatment of farm animals including in intensive factory farming operations. This will set minimum standards of treatment and have a timetable for phasing out intensive factory farming and other inhumane animal husbandry practices. It will set standards for distances live animals can be transported, and conditions for animals in slaughterhouses and auctions.
From Election Platform 2019, retrieved 2019-09-22.
Youth nutrition
NDP
New Democrats will partner with provinces, territories, municipalities, and Indigenous communities to work towards a national school nutrition program that will give every child in Canada access to healthy food and the food literacy skills to make healthy choices for life. We'll aim to make culturally-appropriate food available to children in every community in Canada, so that all children can grow and learn.
From A New Deal for People, retrieved 2019-09-22.
Education & Training
Job training
Liberal
- Introduce a Canada Training Benefit, giving workers money to help pay for training, provide income support during training, and offer job protection.
- Create a Canadian Apprenticeship Service, supported by up to $10,000/apprentice, over four years, for every new position created.
To give apprentices more certainty and more opportunities to gain work experience, we will move forward with creating the Canadian Apprenticeship Service, in partnership with provinces, territories,employers, and unions. With this new help, apprentices who enter the Red Seal trades can be more confident about the future, knowing that jobs will be available when they need them.
To support this effort, we will work with our partners to create more opportunities, providing up to $10,000 per apprentice, over four years, for every new position created. This investment will help 12,500 more apprentices finish their training on time.
We will also lead by example – directly hiring upto (sic) an additional 250 apprentices each year, requiring that government suppliers participate in the Canadian Apprenticeship Service, and requiring that federal construction contracts meet targets for greater inclusion of women in the trades.
From Forward, retrieved 2019-10-01.
NDP
We're committed to working with the provinces to ensure that Canadians have access to education throughout their professional lives, including proactive training and retraining, as well as support when they are unemployed. Our vision is one where training opportunities are flexible enough to work with people's busy lives, and significant enough to really improve job prospects.
To get there, we'll change EI rules to allow workers who quit their job to go to school to qualify for for EI benefits, so that families can count on some income support during that period of transition back to school. We'll also expand options for workers in designated sectors and regions to take EI funded training in advance of losing a job while at the same time promoting investment to ensure that regional economies are creating good jobs that support families and communities. Finally, to make sure that businesses are investing in the training that Canadians need, a New Democrat government will require employers to spend at least 1 percent of payroll on training for their employees annually.
In order to deliver these changes we'll work closely with the provinces to establish national training priorities, and create a new Workers Development and Opportunities Fund to expand training options beyond people who qualify for EI. This fund will be provincially directed, with dedicated support for marginalized workers, those in transitioning sectors and for efforts to improve literacy and essential skills.
From A New Deal for People, retrieved 2019-09-22.
Post-secondary education
NDP
Green
- Allocate $10 billion to post-secondary and trade school supports.
- Make college and university tuition free for all Canadian students.
- Remove the 2% cap on increases in education funding for Indigenous students.
- Forgive extant student debt held by the federal government.
Make college and university tuition free for all Canadian students. This would be financed by redirecting existing spending on bursaries, tuition tax credits, saved costs of administering the student loan system, and the hundreds of millions of dollars of student loan defaults written off every year. Tuition scholarships provided by colleges and universities can be redirected to offset other student costs.
Tie funding in federal-provincial transfers to universities, providing more to universities and colleges with a measurable focus on student-professor contact, mentorship, policies of inclusion and tenure track hires.
Remove the two per cent cap on increases in education funding for Indigenous students and ensure all Indigenous youth have access to post-secondary education.
Forgive the portion of existing student debt that is held by the federal government.
From Election Platform 2019, retrieved 2019-09-22.
RESPs
Conservative
A couple who begins contributing $25 a month to an RESP right after their child’s birth will receive $1,620 by age 18. That’s $540 more than they would receive currently.
Another couple that is able to invest $50 a month will receive $3,240 in government contributions by age 18. That’s $1,080 more than they would receive currently.
Low-income parents will receive 50 per cent on the first $500 they invest every year. Today, they only receive 40 per cent.
From Andrew Scheer announces plan to boost the RESP, retrieved 2019-10-08.
Student loans
Liberal
To help more students prepare for good jobs while taking on less debt, we will move forward with more generous Canada Student Grants and more affordable and flexible student loans.
We will give full- and part-time students up to $1,200 more per year, through increased Canada Student Grants, and will give students two years after graduation to get started in their career before they need to begin paying off their student loans, interest-free. We will also change the rules so that graduates won’t have to start repaying their loans until they make at least $35,000, and if their income ever falls below this level, their payments will be put on hold.
To make it easier for parents to focus on their families rather than their debt, we will allow new parents to pause their student loan repayments, interest-free, until their youngest child reaches the age of five. New parents who have graduated but haven’t yet finished paying off their student loans will also get to hit pause until their child turns five.
Additional compensation will be offered to provinces and territories that do not participate in the Canada Student Loan Program.
From Forward, retrieved 2019-10-01.
NDP
Environment, Climate Change, & Energy
Carbon pricing
NDP
Green
Conservation
Liberal
- Conserve 25% of Canada's land and 25% of Canada's territorial waters by 2025, working toward 30% of each by 2030.
- Introduce Canada's first-ever Aquaculture act.
- Invest in marine science and fighting invasive species.
- Protect fish stocks and marine habitats from climate change.
To better support healthy ecosystems that help fight climate change, we will move forward with an ambitious plan to plant two billion trees over 10 years. This will help create about 3,500 seasonal jobs in tree planting each year, and will be part of a $3 billion commitment to better conserve and restore forests, grasslands, agricultural lands, wetlands, and coastal areas.
From Forward, retrieved 2019-10-01.
Conservative
NDP
Conservation is a vital way to protect ecosystems and preserve biodiversity. New Democrats will protect 30% of our land, freshwater, and oceans by 2030 and back those protections with funding and enforcement. We’ll also work with other levels of government to develop a system of urban national parks – and a national approach to tree-planting using responsible reforestation to help lower our carbon footprint.
From A New Deal for People, retrieved 2019-09-22.
Green
- Give Canadians the right to a healthy environment.
- Expand marine protected areas to 30% of territorial waters by 2030.
- Ramp up development and implementation of endangered species recovery plans.
- Commit $400m to create Indigenous-led protected and conserved areas.
Pass legislation to give Canadians the right to a healthy environment, promoting greater transparency in decision-making, public participation rights and access to judicial review mechanisms.
Expand marine protected areas from 10 to 30 per cent of Canada’s territorial waters by 2030.
Increase funding to federal departments to dramatically ramp up the development and implementation of endangered species recovery plans required by legislation, placing tight deadlines on completion and invoking emergency powers of the federal government to protect species when provincial governments fail to do so.
Protect a minimum of 30 per cent of freshwaters, oceans and land by 2030.
Commit $100 million annually over the next four years to create Indigenous-led protected and conserved areas and fund stewardship of these lands and waters by Indigenous guardians.
Fully restore the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act, which was gutted by the Harper government in 2012, and adopt the recommendations of the independent Expert Panel on Environmental Assessment, commissioned by the Liberals and then ignored.
Increase funding to Parks Canada to ensure that the ecological integrity of our national parks is maintained, and where necessary restored, and that heritage sites are fully protected and maintained.
From Election Platform 2019, retrieved 2019-09-22.
Emissions targets
Liberal
- Work towards net-zero by 2050.
- Set legally-binding, 5-year milestones.
- Appoint a group of scientists, economists, & experts to recommend the best path to net-zero.
- Introduce a Just Transition Act to transition energy workers to other industries.
- Plant 2b trees over 10 years.
set legally-binding, five-year milestones, based on the advice of the experts and consultations with Canadians, to reach net-zero emissions;
appoint a group of scientists, economists, and experts to recommend the best path to get to net-zero;
exceed Canada’s 2030 emissions goal by introducing new carbon reducing measures; and
ensure energy workers and communities can shape their own futures by introducing a Just Transition Act, giving workers access to the training, support, and new opportunities needed to succeed in the clean economy.
From Forward, retrieved 2019-10-01.
NDP
Green
- Interim targets would be set at five-year intervals beginning with 2025.
- Set legal emissions limits for industries that decline over time, with penalties for exceeding those limits.
Energy production
Liberal
NDP
- Establish a Canadian Climate Bank to power Canada with net carbon-free electricity by 2030, encourage smart grid technology, and support made-in-Canada manufacturing of renewable energy technologies.
- Support community owned clean energy products.
New Democrats will set a target to power Canada with net carbon-free electricity by 2030 and move to 100% non-emitting electricity by 2050. To drive this progress, we will establish a new Canadian Climate Bank. This bank will help boost investment in renewable energy, energy efficiency, and low carbon technology across the country. It will also provide support for interested provinces to inter-connect power grids and introduce smart grid technology to bolster Canada’s energy security and distribute clean power across the country. The Climate Bank will also support made-in-Canada manufacturing of renewable energy components and technologies, and help scale up Canada’s clean energy industry.
Meeting this carbon-free electricity goal in a way that respects local communities and creates good jobs is essential. We’ll support investments in innovative community-owned and operated clean energy projects to keep jobs and expertise local, work in partnership with Indigenous and northern communities to move off diesel, improve energy security, and cut emissions and air pollution.
From A New Deal for People, retrieved 2019-09-22.
Green
- Implement a major ramp-up of renewable energy with 100% of Canada's electricity coming from renewable sources by 2030, including in remote and northern communities.
- Implement a national electrical grid strategy to enable renewable energy flow between provinces and territories.
Implement a major ramp-up of renewable electricity. By 2030, 100 per cent of Canada’s electricity will come from renewable sources. This includes getting remote and northern communities off diesel generators.
To enable renewable electricity to flow across provincial and territorial boundaries, implement a national electrical grid strategy, including building connections between eastern Manitoba and western Ontario, and upgrading connections between New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. This will be paid for with money now allocated for expanding the Trans Mountain pipeline ($1.6 billion announced in December 2018, towards an estimated $10-13 billion), and create thousands of jobs nation-wide.
Work with provincial governments to determine which orphaned oil and gas wells are geologically suited to produce geothermal energy. This will turn provincial liabilities into potential income-generating renewable energy, ideally in partnership with First Nations. Those with weaker geothermal energy potential may be used in district energy, including for greenhouses.
From _Election Platform 2019_, retrieved 2019-09-22.
Fossil fuel subsidies
Freshwater
NDP
- Implement a national freshwater strategy and work with provinces and territories to protect waterways under international agreements.
- Fully restore navigable waters protections for all of Canada's lakes and rivers.
Canada’s freshwater resources are critical for the health and well-being of our ecosystems, our communities, and our local economies. A New Democrat government will implement a national freshwater strategy and work with the provinces and territories to protect our waterways under international agreements. We will also reverse the harmful changes brought in by the Conservatives, fully restore navigable waters protections for all of Canada’s lakes and rivers, and invest in research to support freshwater protections.
From A New Deal for People, retrieved 2019-09-22.
Green
- Using the existing Green Infrastructure Fund, launch a national program to restore natural buffer zones along waterways.
- Invest in climate-proofing essential infrastructure, prioritizing drinking and waste water systems to protect against flooding, droughts, and contamination.
Green buildings and housing
Liberal
- Help retrofit 1.5 million homes for energy efficiency.
- Give interested homeowners and landlords a free energy audit.
- Help homeowners and landlords pay for retrofits with an interest-free loan of up to $40,000.
- Introduce a Net Zero Homes Grant of up to $5000.
help retrofit 1.5 million homes to help Canadians make their homes more energy efficient, and better protect them from climate-related risks;
give interested homeowners and landlords a free energy audit;
help homeowners and landlords pay for retrofits by giving them an interest-free loan of up to $40,000;
help people buy newly built homes that are certified zero-emissions by giving them a Net Zero Homes Grant of up to $5,000; and
To help Canadians save more on their monthly energy bills, we will also move forward with making Energy Star certification mandatory for all new home appliances starting in 2022.
And to help make large commercial buildings more energy efficient, we will move forward with a national competition to create four $100-million long-term funds to help attract private capital that can be used for deep retrofits of large buildings, such as office towers.
From Forward, retrieved 2019-09-30.
Conservative
Installation of high-quality insulation
Investments in high-efficiency furnaces
Replacement of doors and windows with more efficient models
Upgrading of ventilation, heating and cooling systems
Installation of solar panels
From Scheer announces Green Home Renovation Tax Credit to lower greenhouse gas emissions, retrieved 2019-10-08.
NDP
- Require and fund large-scale building retrofits in all sectors to reduce energy demand.
- Retrofit all housing stock in Canada by 2050, with low-interest loans payable through energy savings.
- Update the National Building Code to ensure net-zero energy in new buildings by 2030.
[...] a key component of our plan is to require large-scale building retrofits in all sectors to reduce energy demand, create jobs, and save people money. A New Democrat government would begin by working in partnership with the provinces and territories to fund energy efficient retrofits on social housing units and government buildings, expanding outwards from there.
We will set a target of retrofitting all housing stock in Canada by 2050, providing low-interest loans repayable through energy savings to pay for home upgrades like insulation, windows, heat pumps, and other renewable technologies.
We’ll improve the National Building Code to ensure that by 2030, every new building built in Canada is net-zero energy ready. Energy efficiency and sustainable building practices will be at the core of our national housing strategy, leveraging the power of federal investments to create good jobs all across the country delivering the affordable housing Canadians need.
To set our communities up for climate change resilience, a New Democrat government will work with provinces, municipalities, and Indigenous government to make sure that Canadian communities have the resources they need to cope safely with extreme weather events.
From A New Deal for People, retrieved 2019-09-22.
Green
- Launch a massive energy efficiency retrofit of residential, commercial, and institutional buildings, financed through direct grants, zero-interest loans, and repayments based on energy/cost savings.
- Require new construction to meet net-zero emission standards by 2030.
Launch a massive energy efficiency retrofit of residential, commercial and institutional buildings. To make a renewable energy transition possible, we have to eliminate energy waste. According to trade union research, this will create over four million jobs.
Finance building retrofits and installation of renewable energy technologies such as solar and heat pumps through direct grants, zero-interest loans and repayments based on energy/cost savings.
Change the national building code to require new construction to meet net-zero emission standards by 2030 and work with the provinces to enact it.
From Election Platform 2019, retrieved 2019-09-22.
Green governance
Green
Green government operations
NDP
Green jobs
Liberal
NDP
- Create over 300,000 jobs within a first mandate, and rebuild local economies with family-sustaining work country-wide.
- Bring more innovative clean technologies to market.
- Protect workers' pensions.
- Invest in infrastructure to contribute to emissions reductions.
Our plan will create over 300,000 good jobs in all communities within a first mandate, and rebuild local economies with meaningful, family-sustaining work in every part of the country, all while helping to make the changes we need to succeed in a low-carbon future.
New Democrats are making a commitment to workers most impacted by the changes in our economy that they will not pay the price of action on climate change. We will work together with labour, employers, and the provinces and territories to find solutions for workers and communities, including dedicated employment support that combines access to expanded EI benefits, re-training, and job placement services, paired with significant investments to create quality local jobs and support thriving communities.
We’ll work with the provinces to provide training and re-training for the new job market, as well as labour market research to keep Canada on the cutting edge of the evolving work environment.
New Democrats will also vigorously defend pensions, so that workers can always count on the retirement security that they’ve earned, and make sure that people who are close to the end of their careers have a bridge to a dignified retirement.
An important part of our plan will include making sure that physical, digital, and social infrastructure investments contribute to emissions reductions and support all regions and communities,especially those already experiencing the impacts of climate change with the good, family-sustaining jobs they bring.
We will also expand support and technological assistance to bring more innovative Canadian clean technologies to market and support manufacturing right here at home.
Green
Establish a Canadian Sustainable Generations Fund to make critical investments in trades, apprenticeships and education required for the transition to a green economy. These investments in skills training will complement targeted national infrastructure investments in energy efficiency, renewable energy production, digital upgrades, clean-tech manufacturing and emerging technologies, tourism, the creative economy, and the care economy.
Establish a National Community Benefit Strategy that leverages public procurement to maximize opportunities for social hiring and procurement, including Indigenous procurement, youth employment and demand-driven skills development programs.
Enhance the federal Youth Employment and Skills Strategy by creating a Community and Environment Service Corps. This will provide $1 billion annually to municipalities to hire Canadian youth.
From Election Platform 2019, retrieved 2019-09-22.
Major energy projects
Liberal
Conservative
- Create a national energy corridor to carry Canadian energy & resources from coast to coast.
- Repeal Bill C-69.
- End ban on shipping traffic on the north coast of BC.
- Build the Trans Mountain Pipeline.
- Assert federal jurisdiction over projects that are "for the general advantage".
We will replace Bill C-69 with a new process that sets clear expectations and timelines for environmental reviews. This will secure and maintain investment in Canada's energy sector as we restore confidence and certainty.
Further, we will reduce politicization of the review process and make sure that all designated projects undergo a rigorous consultation process. Foreign funded groups will be banned from using the approvals process to blog energy projects that are in our national interest. This new process will adhere to world-class environmental standards.
A new Conservative government will work collaboratively with provinces, territories, industry, and Indigenous groups.
From Andrew Scheer's Plan for You to Get Ahead, retrieved 2019-10-11.
To promote mutually beneficial conversations between Indigenous communities and resource project proponents, we will provide $10 million per year to the organizations that foster collaboration and encourage strong partnerships between these two groups.
From Andrew Scheer's Plan for You to Get Ahead, retrieved 2019-10-11.
NDP
We will ensure that proposed projects align with our emissions reductions targets, respect Indigenous rights, and create good jobs here in Canada.
From A New Deal for People, retrieved 2019-09-22.
Green
- Approve no new pipelines, or coal, oil, or gas drilling or mining.
- Continue extant oil and gas operations on a declining basis with bitumen production phased out between 2030 and 2035.
- Ban fracking.
- Cancel the Trans Mountain pipeline.
- No new pipelines, or coal, oil or gas drilling or mining, including offshore wells, will be approved. Existing oil and gas operations will continue on a declining basis, with bitumen production phased out between 2030 and 2035. Hydraulic fracturing (fracking) operations will be banned outright due to impacts on groundwater quality, methane release and seismic activity.
- Cancel the Trans Mountain pipeline (and its $10-13 billion cost) as well as other subsidies to fossil fuel industries, totaling (sic) an additional several billion dollars a year. This money will be redirected to the Canadian Grid Strategy and renewable energy transition.
From _Election Platform 2019_, retrieved 2019-09-22.
Pesticides & herbicides
Green
- Set targets for reducing use of pesticides through programmes to assist farmers in moving to organic farming.
- Revive and expand the National Pesticides Monitoring and Surveillance Network.
- Create a reporting database for to keep track of health impacts of pesticides.
- Ban neonics.
Set targets for reducing the use of pesticides in agriculture through programs to assist farmers in moving to organic and regenerative farming.
Revive and expand the National Pesticides Monitoring and Surveillance Network.
Create an adverse effects reporting database for doctors and emergency rooms to keep track of health impacts of pesticides and other chemicals.
Ban neonicotinoid pesticides, which kill bees and other pollinators, and support farmers in shifting to alternatives.
Ban all forestry and cosmetic uses of glyphosate-based herbicides as well as their use as a pre-harvest desiccant.
From Election Platform 2019, retrieved 2019-09-22.
Threats from climate change
Liberal
- Create a low-cost national flood insurance programme to protect homeowners at high risk of flooding.
- Work with provinces and territories to complete all flood maps in Canada.
- Develop a national action plan to assist homeowners with potential relocation.
- Invest $1 billion.
Invest $1billion over the next decade in the Disaster Mitigation and Adaptation Fund.
Toxic substances
Green
- Strengthen CEPA.
- Invoke the precautionary principle in making decisions about approvals of products, substances, projects, and processes with potential for irreversible harm.
- Regulate microfibres as a toxic substance.
- Ban all toxic ingredients in personal care products.
Strengthen the Canadian Environmental Protection Act (CEPA) to limit the approval and use of toxic chemicals that affect our health and environment.
Regulate microfibres as a toxic substance under CEPA.
Invoke the precautionary principle in making decisions about approvals of products, substances, projects and processes where there is the potential for irreversible harm. If there is no scientific proof of safety, then approval will be withheld.
Ban all toxic ingredients in personal care products.
From Election Platform 2019, retrieved 2019-09-22.
Waste & pollution
Liberal
- Ban harmful single-use plastics.
- Set new standards and targets for businesses that manufacture plastic products or sell items with plastic packaging to have them take full responsibility for collecting and recycling.
- Strengthen the Environmental Protection Act.
Conservative
- Work with provinces and municipalities to put an end to raw sewage being dumped in waterways.
- Review and modernize air quality standards.
- Reinstate the Lake Simcoe Clean-Up fund.
- Ban export of plastic waste.
NDP
To reduce waste in our landfills and communities, a New Democrat government will ban single-use plastics across Canada and hold companies responsible for the entire lifecycle of their plastics products and packaging. We’ll help municipalities improve their waste management and recycling programs and work towards a zero-waste future.
From A New Deal for People, retrieved 2019-09-22.
Green
- Set targets to reduce production of solid waste.
- Hold manufacturers financially responsible for waste.
- Require an increasing percentage of recycled plastic feedstock in durable plastic products.
- Require all products to be fully recyclable.
- Phase out export of solid waste.
Set national targets to reduce the production of solid waste and work with provincial, territorial and Indigenous governments to achieve those targets.
Implement an extended producer responsibility program to hold manufacturers financially responsible for the waste associated with the production, distribution, packaging and end of life of their products.
Require an increasing percentage of recycled plastic feedstock in durable plastic products.
Require all products to be fully recyclable using readily available processes.
Phase out Canada’s export of solid waste to other countries. If we produce it, we should manage it.
Establish a plastics lifecycle advisory group, comprising representatives from all sectors in the lifecycle of plastic products, scientists, and federal and provincial government representatives, to provide guidance and recommendations in establishing plastics biodegradability, recyclability and sustainability standards.
Adopt a precautionary approach to limit the production and use of persistent contaminants in plastic, based on evolving research into the human health impacts of micro-fibres and other micro-plastics.
In consultation with food distributors and sellers, set 2022 reusable and refillable packaging targets for supermarkets and other food stores.
By January 2022, ban the production, distribution and sale of all unnecessary or non-essential petroleum-based single-use plastics, including: carry-out and produce bags, balloons, straws, plates, cups, lids, cutlery, cotton buds, drink stirrers, cigarette filters, and plastic water bottles (less than four litres); packaging, including multilayer packaging, packing straps, all multipack rings, takeaway packaging, and all expanded polystyrene (styrofoam) packaging; and all single-use plastics that are not easily recyclable or have additives that make them non-recyclable, including thermoset plastics.
Extend the ban on microbeads to include household and industrial cleaning products.
By 2021, require all new washing machines sold in Canada to have a removable, cleanable filter to capture micro-fibres that otherwise pass through water treatment plant filters and into water bodies.
By 2021, fund proper solid waste management systems in Indigenous and Arctic communities.
Turn off the pollution taps flowing into coastal waters including municipal sewage and industrial effluents. Climate protection policies to prohibit new offshore oil and gas development and phase out existing operations will reduce the threat of marine oil spills.
Legislate cruise ship waste discharge standards that meet or exceed those of our coastal neighbours.
To reduce and mitigate plastic waste from fishing gear that entangles and kills marine animals, by January 2021 implement an Extended Producer Responsibility program for all companies making or selling synthetic fishing gear which would fund the retrieval of lost or abandoned fishing gear, commonly known as ghost nets, and the collection and recycling of old, damaged, and recovered fishing gear.
From Election Platform 2019, retrieved 2019-09-22.
Government & Democracy
Conflict-of-interest
NDP
Green
- Strengthen the Conflict of Interest Act to include financial and other penalties for breaking the law.
- Impose strict conflict of interest screening criteria for appointments to federal regulatory boards and agencies.
Strengthen the Conflict of Interest Act to include financial and other penalties for breaking the law.
Impose strict conflict of interest screening criteria for appointments to federal regulatory boards and agencies, minimizing the potential for bias and preferential access by the regulated industry.
From Election Platform 2019, retrieved 2019-09-22.
Diversity in politics
Liberal
- Ensure another gender-balanced Cabinet reflecting the diversity of Canada.
- Improve diversity in appointments to federal agencies and bodies, and promote more qualified diverse Canadians to senior positions within the public service.
NDP
Electoral reform
NDP
- Bring in Mixed Member Proportional Representation in a first mandate in government.
- Establish an independent citizen's assembly to recommend how to put it in place for the next election.
- After that election is held, hold a referendum to confirm the choice.
A New Democrat government will bring in mixed member proportional representation that works for Canada – and we will do it in our first mandate in government. We’ll establish an independent citizen’s assembly to recommend the best way to put it in place for the next election to ensure both local representation and a federal government that reflects the voters’ choice of parties.
Once Canadians have the opportunity to experience the new voting system and compare it to the old one, we will hold a referendum to confirm the choice.
From A New Deal for People, retrieved 2019-09-22.
Green
- Ensure that the 2019 election is the last "first past the post" election.
- Launch a Citizens Assembly on Electoral Reform mandated to make recommendations on an electoral system that would "make every vote count".
- Recommendations would be implemented in time for the 2023 election.
Ensure that the 2019 election is the last “first past the post” election. By March 2020, we will launch a Citizens Assembly on Electoral Reform with the mandate to make recommendations to parliament on an electoral system that would “make every vote count.” Legislative changes to implement the recommendations of the Citizens Assembly would be made in time for the 2023 federal election.
Remove the requirement for party leaders to sign candidate nominations, accepting proof of a fair and open process at the local (Electoral District Association) level.
Require all parties to submit their campaign platform cost estimates to the Parliamentary Budget Officer for review.
Mandate Elections Canada to develop a truth in advertising framework for election campaigns that empowers the Commissioner of Elections to investigate citizens’ complaints related to campaign advertising and impose sanctions if the complaints are found to be justified.
From Election Platform 2019, retrieved 2019-09-22.
Government Transparency
Green
- Scrap all fees except the filing fee on Access to Information requests.
- Provide enforceable deadlines.
- Authorize the Information Commissioner to order the release of information.
- Place the administration of parliament, the PMO, and ministers' offices within ATI.
Expand access to information about the government and its activities by scrapping all fees, except the filing fee.
Provide enforceable deadlines so that requests are processed in a timely manner.
Authorize the Information Commissioner to order the release of information.
Place the administration of parliament, the Prime Minister’s Office and minister’s offices within the scope of the ATI.
Override all exemptions so that public interest comes before the secrecy of the government.
Provide for exclusions based on claims of cabinet confidences to be reviewed by the Information Commissioner.
Require public officials to create a public record to document their actions and decisions regarding all ATI requests.
From Election Platform 2019, retrieved 2019-09-22.
Government advertising
NDP
Government security
Conservative
- Conduct periodic cyber security penetration testing on all government departments.
- Establish a Cabinet Committee on Cyber Security and Data Privacy.
Intergovernmental cooperation
Green
Lobbying
Green
Municipal government
Green
- Encourage City Charters to give more autonomy to cities.
- Reduce interest rates to municipalities on loans for infrastructure.
- Create a Municipal Fund for federal transfers to municipalities, with double current funding.
- Allocate 1% of GDP to municipal infrastructure and housing.
Parliamentary reform
Liberal
- Allocate more time for debating and voting on Private Members' Business.
- Introduce new technology or other institutional changes to connect MPs with constituents.
- Eliminate the use of whip and party lists in calling on MPs who wish to speak.
- Provide more resources to committees.
allocating more time for Private Members’ Business to be debated and voted on in Parliament;
working with Parliament to introduce new technology or other institutional changes to better connect Members with their constituents;
eliminating the use of whip and party lists to give the Speaker greater freedom in calling on Members who wish to speak; and
providing more resources to parliamentary committees so that they have the staff and research they need to deliver meaningful policy recommendations.
From Forward, retrieved 2019-09-30.
Green
- Direct the Speaker to enforce existing rules to minimize the power of party whips over individual MPs.
- Set up an all-party commission to select a board deciding Governor-in-Council appointments.
- Strengthen the role and independence of parliamentary officers.
Direct the Speaker to enforce existing rules to minimize the power of party whips over individual members of parliament.
Strengthen the role and protect the independence of parliamentary officers including the Ombudsman, the Auditor General, the Ethics Commissioner, the Information Commissioner, the Commissioner of Official Languages and the Parliamentary Budget Officer.
Set up an all-party commission to select a five-member board that will make decisions regarding Governor-in-Council appointments and select candidates for parliamentary officers.
Replace the secretive Board of Internal Economy with an independent oversight committee to review MPs’ salaries, expenses and office budgets.
Establish a public investigations office reporting to parliament to provide clearer and permanent operating rules for such investigations.
From Election Platform 2019, retrieved 2019-09-22.
Public bidding
Green
Public service whistleblowers
Green
The Senate
NDP
- Work with the provinces towards abolishing the Senate.
- Insist the Senate change its rules to prevent Senators holding up legislation already adopted by the Commons.
Voting age
Government Services & Crown Corporations
Canada Post
Green
- Reverse recent cuts to home postal delivery.
- Upgrade Canada Post to EVs.
- Establish "last mile" delivery using zero-emission vehicles in urban centres.
- Have mail carriers check on those with mobility issues or who live alone.
- Use post offices as resource centres & meeting spaces.
Reverse the most recent cuts to home postal delivery, a move promised by the Liberals but not delivered.
Upgrade the Canada Post fleet to electric vehicles.
Reduce pollution and congestion due to the explosion of package delivery from on-line shopping by establishing “last mile” delivery by Canada Post using zero-emission vehicles in urban centres.
Train mail carriers to check on people with mobility issues or who live alone, particularly during heat waves, storms and other emergencies.
Establish banking services and public high-speed internet access in post offices, particularly in under-serviced rural and remote communities without banks and libraries.
Where space is available, allow community meetings to be held in post offices.
Provide charging stations for electric vehicles in post office parking lots.
From Election Platform 2019, retrieved 2019-09-22.
Child care
Liberal
- Create up to 250,000 more child care spaces for kids under 10.
- Lower child care fees for before and after school programmes by 10%.
We’ve already created tens of thousands of new pre-school child care spaces, and will move forward with creating up to 250,000 more before and after school spaces for kids under 10, with at least 10 percent of these new spaces set aside for care during extended hours.
To help families with the high cost of care, we will also lower child care fees for before and after school programs by 10 per cent across the board.
More than a million families will benefit from these lower fees. For an Ontario family of four with two kids, it will mean about $800 back in their pockets,every year.
We will also move forward with more support for our early childhood educators, to ensure that across the country, they are better paid and trained to take care of our kids. This means lower tuition costs for people getting their early childhood education degree, and extra help to cover the costs for early childhood educators seeking further training.
And to ensure that every parent – no matter where they live – has access to quality, affordable childcare, we will work with provinces and territories to create a national secretariat that will lay the groundwork for a pan-Canadian child care system.
From Forward, retrieved 2019-10-01.
Green
- Dedicate resources to making a universal, affordable, early learning and child-care system.
- Increase federal child care funding to achieve at least 1% of GDP, with an additional $1 billion each year until 1% is reached.
- Eliminate GST on construction costs for child-care spaces.
A Green government will collaborate with provinces/territories, local communities, Indigenous communities and the child-care sector to ensure that a comprehensive short-, medium- and long-term policy road map – based on the principles of universality, affordability, quality, inclusivity and equity – finally becomes a reality.
Canada must dedicate additional resources to making a universal, affordable, early learning and child-care (ELCC) system a reality. It cannot occur without public funding. Canada needs an ELCC system that contributes to a green Canada. Thus, a Green Party government's child care plan will provide the early educator jobs that sustain local communities. It will also recognize that sparsely and unevenly available child-care services force parents to take out-of-their-way routes to child care and work, often by car. Green Party plans for child care take into account not only parents' convenience but also climate goals. Location of child care must reflect the diversity of family needs and be placed along existing public transit routes, including neighbourhood schools, other local buildings, workplaces and transportation hubs.
The best evidence suggests that ELCC is best situated within the context of other policies that support families and children. A Green Party government will follow the example of Quebec and other countries, improving and strengthening maternity/parental leave by making it more inclusive, more flexible and better paid.
Well-designed ELCC is also fundamental to meeting broader equity and social justice goals, for fighting poverty, as a foundation for children's life-long learning, and as part of the backbone of a thriving society. Quality child care yields high social and economic returns in the short and long term by:
- Supporting women’s workforce participation, education and training.
- Strengthening children’s health, development and well-being in the early years to provide a strong foundation for learning and living in later years.
- Strengthening inclusion and respect for diversity for children with disabilities, diverse ethnic and racial groups, newcomers and disadvantaged Canadians.
- Countering Canada’s slide towards being a more unequal society.
A Green Party government will immediately begin to ramp up federal child care funding to achieve the international benchmark of at least one per cent of GDP annually, adding an additional $1 billion each year until this benchmark is reached with a mature ELCC system. We will eliminate GST on all construction costs related to child-care spaces.
From Election Platform 2019, retrieved 2019-09-22.
Public broadcasting
Liberal
- Strengthen the regional mandate of CBC/RadioCanada so that local stations can broadcast more local news.
- Require CBC/Radio-Canada to open up its digital platform so that journalism start-ups & community newspapers can access affordable technology to develop & distribute content.
Green
- Increase funding to CBC and Radio Canada by $315 million per year until the per-capital level of funding is equal to that of the BBC.
- Reform the governance of CBC - Radio Canada to remove potential for political interference in board appointments.
Health
Assisted dying
Green
Amend the Medical Assistance in Dying legislation to ensure that everyone has the choice of dying with dignity. This includes allowing advance directives and guaranteeing the right to draw up a “living will” that gives individuals the power to limit or refuse medical intervention and treatment.
From Election Platform 2019, retrieved 2019-09-22.
Autism
Conservative
- Work with stakeholders to develop a National Autism Strategy.
- Invest $50 million over five years to develop a comprehensive strategy in consultation with autistic individuals, autism organizations, governments, and Indigenous communities.
NDP
Blood system
Green
Dementia
Dental care
Disabilities
Conservative
- Decrease the number of hours spent per week on life-sustaining therapy needed to qualify for the Disability Tax Credit from 14 to 10.
- Expand the definition of what counts as life-sustaining therapy.
This new Act will reduce the number of hours spent per week on life-sustaining therapy needed to qualify for the credit from 14 to 10. It will also expand the definition of what counts as life-sustaining therapy to include determining dosages of medical food and activities related to determining dosages of medication, including dietary or exercise regimes. This would allow 35,000 more Canadians with disabilities the potential to access savings of an average of $2,100 a year.
From Andrew Scheer to expand eligibility criteria to access Disability Tax Credit, retrieved 2019-10-08.
NDP
- Uphold the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and strengthen the Accessibility Act to cover all federal agencies equal.
- Launch a full review of income security programmes.
- Expand employment programmes.
- Extend EI sickness benefits to 50 weeks.
As a start, New Democrats will uphold the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and strengthen the Accessibility Act to cover all federal agencies equally with the power to make and enforce accessibility standards in a timely manner.
To help tackle the unacceptable rate of poverty among Canadians living with a disability, we will launch a full review of income security programs. When it comes to employment, everyone deserves a fair shot at a good job that fits their unique abilities. A New Democrat government will continue and expand employment programs to make sure that quality employment opportunities are available to all.
For Canadians facing a serious illness, we’ll make Employment Insurance work better by extending sickness benefits to 50 weeks of coverage and by creating a pilot project to allow workers with episodic disabilities to access benefits as they need them.
Canadians living with disabilities shouldn’t need to worry about the cost of prescription medication, how to find housing, or how to get their mail. In addition to putting in place a universal, publicly funded national pharmacare program that will offer full benefits to all Canadians, a New Democrat government will restore door-to-door mail delivery for those who lost it under the Conservatives and create affordable, accessible housing in communities across the country.
From A New Deal for People, retrieved 2019-09-22.
Eye care
Health research
Health transfers
Green
Hearing care
Home & long-term care
NDP
By doing so, a New Democrat government would legally protect access to home care and long-term care services, and ensure a consistent quality of care across the country. This process will include determining a core basket of home care services that will be available and covered by provincial insurance plans and setting minimum national care standards for long-term care residents. We will also work with the provinces to develop and support violence prevention strategies to protect front-line staff and ensure a safe working environment.
From A New Deal for People, retrieved 2019-09-22.
Mental health
Green
- Negotiate the Canada Health Accord to prioritize expansion of mental health and rehabilitation services, among other things.
- Establish a national mental health strategy and suicide prevention strategy.
- Fund organizations offering LGBTQI2+ youth mental health programmes.
Establish a national mental health strategy and a suicide prevention strategy to address the growing anxieties plaguing Canadians regarding inequality and affordability, the growing precariousness of work and housing, the climate crisis, social isolation, resurgent racial and ethno-nationalism and other harms and risks.
Establish a funding program within Health Canada to support community-based organizations offering targeted LGBTQI2+ youth’s mental health and well-being programs, including suicide prevention, peer support, coming out, and counselling.
From Election Platform 2019, retrieved 2019-09-22.
Natural health products
Prescription drug coverage
Liberal
NDP
That means access to necessary medicines in the same way that we have access to medical and hospital care – free at the point of care, financed by a public insurance system that covers everyone. It means that you'll need your health card – not your credit card – at the pharmacy till. And it puts an end to costly co-payments, deductibles, and premiums that cost families hundreds and even thousands a year.
Our plan will guarantee that every Canadian can get the medication they need. And it will mean big savings for employers who currently pay for employee benefits, helping to reward good employers and boost economic growth. It will also cost our system less overall, as a result of pooling the purchasing power of the entire country.
From Our Commitments, retrieved 19/09/22.
Topping up your prescription, not toppling your budget. Canadian families will save more than $500 a year on average – even if they have insurance at work or school. And businesses currently providing health insurance will save around $600 per employee, and be confident that their whole team is covered.
Use your health card, not your credit card. No more worrying about paying your deductible, co-pay, or premium. No more stress over how you’ll fill your kid’s prescription and still buy groceries. No more anxiety about your friends and family who need expensive medications to stay healthy – all you’ll need is your health card, and you’ll get the drugs you need.
From Saving You (sic) Money With Pharmacare for All, retrieved 19/09/24.
Green
- Expand the single-payer Medicare model to include Pharmacare for everyone.
- Create a bulk drug purchasing agency to reduce drug patent protection periods.
Safe access to abortion
Wait times and access
Liberal
- Make sure every Canadian has access to a family doctor or primary health care team.
- Make home care and palliative care more available across the country.
Conservative
- Invest $1.5 billion in a first term to purchase MRI machines and CT machines to replace and add machines across the country.
- Provide $15 million to implement the Framework on Palliative Care in Canada.
NDP
Green
Women's & reproductive health
Liberal
- Work with provinces and territories to make sure sexual & reproductive health medications are covered under national pharmacare.
- Work with the Canadian Institutes of Health Research to integrate sex & gender-based analyses.
- Create a National Institute for Women's Health Research.
work with the Canadian Institutes of Heath Research to integrate sex and gender-based analyses, as well as diversity analyses, to ensure research takes diversity factors into account to improve women’s health care; and
create a National Institute for Women’s Health Research, the first of its kind in Canada. The Institute would bring together experts in women’s health from across the country to tackle persistent gaps in research and care – taking an intersectional approach that includes race, ability, indigeneity and more.
From Forward, retrieved 2019-09-30.
NDP
Housing
Home heating
Home ownership
Liberal
- Introduce a new First-Time Home Buyer Incentive giving up to 10% off the purchase price of a first home.
- Increase the qualifying value to nearly $800,000 in places where houses cost more.
Conservative
- Modify the mortgage stress test to ensure first-time homebuyers aren't unnecessarily prevent from accessing mortgages.
- Remove the stress test from mortgage renewals.
- Increase amortization periods to 30 years for first-time homebuyers.
NDP
Housing supply
Conservative
- Make surplus federal real estate available for development to increase the supply of housing.
- Introduce a Build More Homes Competition for municipalities.
To empower municipalities to build more homes, a new Conservative government will introduce the Build More Homes Competition. This competition will reward municipalities that have proven to reduce red tape that stands in the way of new home construction.
From Andrew Scheer's Plan for You to Get Ahead, retrieved 2019-10-11.
NDP
This will be achieved with the right mix of effective measures that work in partnership with provinces and municipalities, build capacity for social, community, and affordable housing providers and co-ops, and meet environmental energy efficiency goals. This ambitious plan will create thousands of jobs in communities all across the country, and help Canadians get the affordable housing they need. Our federal investment will begin with $5 billion in additional funding in the first year and a half of a New Democrat government.
In order to kick-start the construction of co-ops, social and non-profit housing, we will set up dedicated fast-start funds to streamline the application process and help communities get the expertise and assistance they need to get projects off the ground today, not years from now.
A New Democrat government will also spur the construction of affordable homes by waiving the federal portion of the GST/HST on the construction of new affordable rental units – a simple change that will help get new units built faster and keep them affordable for the long term.
[...] We've provide immediate relief for families that are struggling to afford rent in otherwise suitable housing, while we bring forward long-term solutions to the housing affordability crisis.
From A New Deal for People, retrieved 19/09/22.
Green
- Legislate housing as a legally protected fundamental human right for all Canadians and permanent residents.
- Appoint a Minister of Housing.
- Target 25,000 new and 15,000 rehabilitated units annually for the next 10 years.
- Increase funding.
- Create a co-op housing strategy.
Legislate housing as a legally protected fundamental human right for all Canadians and permanent residents.
Appoint a Minister of Housing to strengthen the National Housing Strategy so that it meets the needs for affordable housing that are unique to each province, and oversee its implementation in collaboration with provincial ministers. This recognizes that housing is provincial jurisdiction. The target would be 25,000 new and 15,000 rehabilitated units annually for the next 10 years.
Increase the National Housing Co-investment Fund by $750 million for new builds, and the Canada Housing Benefit by $750 million for rent assistance for 125,000 households.
Create a Canada Co-op Housing Strategy that would update the mechanisms for financing co-op housing, in partnership with CMHC, co-op societies, credit unions and other lenders.
Include new and existing housing as eligible infrastructure for funding purposes, allowing the Canada Infrastructure Bank to support provincial and municipal housing projects.
Provide financing to non-profit housing organizations and cooperatives to build and restore quality, energy efficient housing for seniors, people with special needs and low-income families.
Restore tax incentives for building purpose-built rental housing and provide tax credits for gifts of lands, or of land and buildings, to community land trusts to provide affordable housing.
Remove the “deemed” GST whenever a developer with empty condo units places them on the market as rentals.
Re-focus the core mandate of Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporate (CMHC) on supporting the development of affordable, non-market and cooperative housing, as opposed to its current priority of supporting Canadian lenders to de-risk investment in housing ownership. With many housing markets demonstrably overvalued, and home ownership rates among the highest in the world, individual home ownership should not be the preoccupation of a public service housing agency and a national housing strategy.
Change the legislation that prevents Indigenous organizations from accessing financing through CMHC to invest in self-determined housing needs.
From Election Platform 2019, retrieved 2019-09-22.
Speculation
Liberal
Conservative
- Launch an inquiry into money laundering in the real estate sector.
- Work with industry partners to eliminate practices that inflate housing prices.
NDP
To help put an end to speculation that's fuelling high housing prices, we'll put in place a Foreign Buyer's tax on the sale of homes to individuals who aren't Canadian citizens or permanent residents. New Democrats will also fight money laundering, which fuels organized crime and drives up housing prices. We will workwith (sic) the provinces to create a public beneficial ownership registry to increase transparency about who owns properties, and require reporting of suspicious transactions in order to help find and stop money laundering.
From A New Deal for People, retrieved 2019-09-22.
Human Rights
Accessibility
Liberal
To help more people with disabilities go to school,enter the workforce, and join the middle class, we will move forward with a new $40 million per year national workplace accessibility fund, with a special focus on making small and medium-sized businesses more accessible. This fund will match costs with employers and schools, providing up to a combined $10,000 to cover the cost of an accommodation.
Employers and schools will continue to be required to meet their accessibility obligations under provincial and federal law.
From Forward, retrieved 2019-10-01.
Ban on blood donation
Conversion therapy & intersex surgery
Cooperation with torture
Green
Detainment for anti-terrorism
Green
Gender-affirmation
NDP
Green
- Ensure access to sexual health care and gender affirming health care, including hormone treatments and blockers, and gender confirmation surgeries.
- Ensure that trans, non-binary, and Two Spirit people, without undertaking surgeries, are able to alter their sex designation.
Ensure that trans*, non-binary, and Two Spirit people, without undertaking surgeries, are able to alter their sex designation on all federally-issued official documents, consistent with their gender identity.
Require accessible facilities in all federal buildings, including gender-neutral washrooms, changing facilities, etc. while also re-affirming trans, non-binary and Two Spirit people’s right to use whichever facilities with which they identify.
From Election Platform 2019, retrieved 2019-09-22.
Gender-based violence
Liberal
NDP
- Develop a National Action Plan to end gender-based violence, backed by funding to ensure shelter services and other programmes are available in all regions.
- Promote domestic violence leave policies in workplaces.
- Address violence against Indigenous women, LGBTQI2s+ people.
We’ll develop a National Action Plan to end gender-based violence, backed by funding to ensure that shelter services and other programs are available in all regions of the country, especially areas that have traditionally been underserved. New Democrats will promote domestic violence leave policies in workplaces, improve police training on sexual assault, and require universities to develop plans to end sexual violence on campus. And we’ll address violence against Indigenous women, girls, and LGBTQI2S+ people by working with Indigenous peoples to implement the Calls for Justice of the National Inquiry.
From A New Deal for People, retrieved 2019-09-22.
Green
- Develop a Canada-wide action plan with a timetable and dedicated funding to eliminate violence against women, girls, and gender-diverse people.
- Implement the recommendations of the IMMIWG.
- Invest $40m over four years in the Shelter Enhancement Programme.
In collaboration with women’s and Indigenous organizations, develop a comprehensive Canada-wide plan of action – with a timetable and dedicated funding – to eliminate violence against women, girls and gender-diverse people.
Implement all the recommendations of the Inquiry on Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls.
Increase access to shelters by investing $40 million over four years in the Shelter Enhancement Program, providing more than 2,100 new and renovated spaces in first-stage shelters and hundreds of spaces in transition houses.
From Election Platform 2019, retrieved 2019-09-22.
Gender-based work discrimination & pay inequity
Liberal
- Invest $9 million over three years in helping visible minority newcomer women find and keep a good job.
- Work with economic development, agricultural, and trade organizations to ensure that underrepresented communities are better served and able to find and keep middle class jobs.
To help more visible minority newcomer women find and keep a good job, we will build on the research, support and employment projects announced earlier this year, and move forward with an additional $9 million investment over three years.
We will also work with economic development, agricultural and trade organizations to ensure that underrepresented communities are better served and more informed about the programs and services that can help them find and keep good, middle class jobs.
And we will provide funding to the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council and the Canadian Institutes of Health Research so that they can create academic research grants for studies on race, diversity and gender in Canada.
From Forward, retrieved 2019-09-30.
NDP
Hate crimes
Liberal
- Strengthen the Anti-Racism Strategy and double its funding.
- Boost funding for community-led initiatives to promote inclusion and combat racism.
- Improve the quality and amount of data StatsCan does regarding hate crimes.
NDP
LGBTQI2+ awareness
Green
Ensure that the national census is designed to reflect the diversity of sex and gender and ask appropriate questions to ensure adequate, safe and effective data collection.
From Election Platform 2019, retrieved 2019-09-22.
LGBTQI2S+ work discrimination
Online hate
Liberal
NDP
- Convene a national working group to counter online hate and protect public safety.
- Make social media platforms responsible for removing hateful and extremist content.
Race-based work discrimination
Liberal
NDP
- Conduct a comprehensive review of the existing employment equity regime and help close the racialized wage gap.
- Strengthen labour laws and ensure diverse and equitable hiring within the federal public service and federally regulated industries.
A New Democrat government will conduct a comprehensive review of the existing employment equity regime to help close the racialized wage gap. New Democrats will strengthen labour laws and ensure diverse and equitable hiring within the federal public service, and in federally regulated industries. Jobs and training for underrepresented groups will be a core part of federal infrastructure plans.
Lastly, we will work with the provinces and territories to develop and enforce effective employment equity legislation, and to collect and analyze data on the racialization of poverty – because everyone should be able to build a good life with equal opportunity.
From A New Deal for People, retrieved 2019-09-22.
Green
- Fully implement federal pay equity rules.
- Enhance use of Community Benefits Agreements to increase economic inclusion and opportunity for marginalized communities of colour.
Racism and bias in justice
Liberal
NDP
- Form a national task force to end over-representation of Indigenous peoples and Black Canadians in the federal prison system.
- Develop culturally appropriate bail programmes.
- Increase restorative justice, judicial discretion in sentencing.
- Further integrate the Gladue principles.
To address the chronic overrepresentation of Indigenous peoples and Black Canadians in the federal prison population, we will put in place a national task force to develop a roadmap to end this systemic injustice. Working alongside Indigenous communities, this approach will include addressing the need for greater judicial discretion in sentencing, developing culturally appropriate bail programs, increasing restorative and community justice programs, and better integrating Gladue principles in court proceedings. We will also develop and implement an African Canadian Justice Strategy, working with Black Canadians with experience and expertise on criminal justice issues.
From A New Deal for People, retrieved 2019-09-22.
Racism in law enforcement
NDP
Sexuality-discriminatory legislation
Green
Sex work
Green
- Reform sex work laws in Canada with a clear focus on harm reduction.
- Make the industry legal.
- Increase funding to bolster investigations and convictions in human trafficking cases.
- Increase funding of organizations helping those driven to sex work by economic deprivation.
Reform sex work laws in Canada with a clear focus on harm reduction, given the dangers that sex trade workers face. By making the industry legal and public, it will make it easier for those who are being trafficked to be found and saved.
Increase funding to bolster investigations and convictions in human trafficking cases.
Increase funding of community organizations providing services to those driven to sex work by economic deprivation.
From Election Platform 2019, retrieved 2019-09-22.
Illicit Drugs & Overdoses
Decriminalization of drugs
NDP
- Work with all levels of government, experts, and Canadians to end criminalization of drug addiction.
- Work with provinces to support overdose prevention sites and expand access to treatment on demand for people struggling with addiction.
Opioid crisis
Liberal
- New investments to help provinces and territories expand community-based services, build more in-patient rehab beds, and scale up programmes, such as safe consumption sites.
- Make drug treatment court the default for first-time non-violent offenders charged with simple possession.
To help more people access the addiction treatment services they need, we will move forward with new investments that help provinces and territories expand community-based services, build more in-patient rehab beds, and scale up the most effective programs – such as extending hours for InSite and other safe consumption sites.
We will also make drug treatment court the default option for first-time non-violent offenders charged exclusively with simple possession, to help drug users get quick access to treatment, and to prevent more serious crimes.
From Forward, retrieved 2019-09-30.
Conservative
NDP
Green
- Declare a national health emergency.
- Increase funding to community-based organizations to test drugs make Naloxone kits widely available.
Address the opioid crisis as a health-care issue, not a criminal issue, by declaring a national health emergency. Recognize that fentanyl contamination is why deaths are more accurately described as poisonings than overdoses. Drug possession should be decriminalized, ensuring people have access to a screened supply and the medical support they need to combat their addictions. Increase funding to community-based organizations to test drugs and make Naloxone kits widely available to treat overdoses.
From Election Platform 2019, retrieved 2019-09-22.
Immigration, Refugees, & Borders
CBSA
Green
ESL and FSL training
Green
Economic immigration
Liberal
- Increase immigration modestly with a focus on highly-skilled people.
- Create a Municipal Nominee Programme allowing local communities, chambers of commerce, and local labour councils to directly sponsor immigrants.
- Make the Atlantic Immigration Pilot permanent.
Conservative
- Increase the number of points awarded for a job offer under the Express Entry Program.
- Match international students finished university with jobs.
- Provide new economic immigrants info about opportunities outside of urban centres.
- Rework the Temporary Foreign Workers Program.
To reduce duplication and ease the application process, we will create a trusted employer system so that companies do not have to constantly re-apply to the program. We will establish clear standards and timelines for Labour Market Impact Assessment processes and revise the zoning regions to make sure rural areas and tourism hotspots are not lumped into large geographic areas with urban hubs.
To ensure that those who enter Canada as low-skilled workers, as justified by concrete labour market data, are treated fairly, we will establish a path to permanence by allowing employers to sponsor applications for permanent residency. Immigration is good for the economy, good for jobs, and good for people who have chosen to come to Canada.
We will continue to monitor the Temporary Foreign Workers Program to ensure that it is achieving its intended results: supporting Canadian businesses with genuine labour needs, while also ensuring that Canadians get the first crack at jobs in our country.
From Andrew Scheer's Plan for You to Get Ahead, retrieved 2019-10-11.
NDP
- Make sure that our immigration policies and levels meet Canada’s labour force needs and recognize people’s experiences, contributions, and ties to Canada.
- Work with the provinces to address gaps in settlement services and improve foreign credentials recognition.
Green
- Eliminate the Temporary Foreign Workers Program.
- Address labour shortages by increasing immigration.
Eliminate the Temporary Foreign Workers Program and address labour shortages by increasing immigration, working with employers to establish paths to permanent residency.
From Election Platform 2019, retrieved 2019-09-22.
Family reunification
Foreign credentials
NDP
Green
- Ensure professionals considered for immigration are aware of licensing requirements for their professions.
- Create a robust system for evaluating education and training credentials of immigrants.
Ensure professionals being considered for immigration have the licensing requirements for their professions clearly explained before entry.
Work with professional associations to create a robust system for evaluating the education and training credentials of immigrants against Canadian standards, with the goal of expediting accreditation and expanding professional opportunities for immigrants.
From Election Platform 2019, retrieved 2019-09-22.
Here without official status
Green
- Establish a programme to process ~200,000 people living in Canada without official status, with a pathway to permanent residency for those who qualify.
- Ensure "lost Canadians" being denied citizenship through archaic laws are protected and their citizenship restored.
Establish a program to process the estimated 200,000 people living in Canada without official status, providing a pathway to permanent residency for those who qualify.
Ensure the “lost Canadians” quietly being denied citizenship through archaic laws are protected and that their citizenship is restored. Although some significant progress has been made, some are still “lost.”
Implement the recommendation of the Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration to grant permanent resident status immediately to those who have refused or left military service in a war not sanctioned by the United Nations.
Improve the pathway for international students and foreign workers to Canadian permanent residency and citizenship.
From _Election Platform 2019_, retrieved 2019-09-22.
Immigrant caregivers
NDP
Immigration consultancy & affordability
Liberal
Green
- Regulate the immigration consulting industry to ensure universally fair, legal and accessible services to help people navigate the immigration system.
- Increase penalties for consultants convicted of human smuggling and devote more resources to investigation and enforcement.
Multicultural integration
Green
- Work with municipalities and provinces to improve integration of new Canadians into the multicultural fabric.
- Assist cultural organizations to obtain charitable status.
- Increase funding of multicultural associations providing immigrant support programmes.
Refugees
Liberal
NDP
- Get rid of refugee backlog.
- Work with Canadians to resettle refugees and ensure they're given needed support to build successful lives and new homes.
- Establish a clear and permanent path for resettlement of LGBTQI2S+ refugees to Canada.
Green
Safe Third Country agreement
Liberal
NDP
Indigenous Issues
Drinking water
NDP
This means making the investments required to ensure clean water and lift all drinking water advisories for good by 2021, and supporting Indigenous-led water management training programs and water system operations as an immediate priority.
From A New Deal for People, retrieved 2019-09-22.
Green
Grassy Narrows
NDP
Indigenous children
Liberal
NDP
- Take action to respect, support, and resource Indigenous jurisdiction over child welfare systems, backed with long-term funding guaranteed in legislation.
- Fully implement the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal orders.
- Implement the Spirit Bear Plan.
- Implement Jordan's Principle.
New Democrats will take immediate action to respect, support, and resource Indigenous jurisdiction over child welfare systems, and will back this commitment with long-term, predictable funding guaranteed in legislation so that Indigenous peoples can exercise their jurisdiction and authority over matters involving their own children and families.
We also commit to ending discrimination against Indigenous children, young people, and families by fully implementing the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal orders, which ordered the Canadian government to stop chronically underfunding child welfare services on reserve, and working with the First Nations Child and Family Caring Society to implement the Spirit Bear Plan.
A New Democrat government will also fully implement Jordan’s Principle, working with the provinces and territories to end the delays and ensure equitable access to health services and educational supports for Indigenous children from coast to coast to coast.
From A New Deal for People, retrieved 2019-09-22.
Indigenous culture
Green
- Implement the Calls to Action from the TRC, and recommendations from the IMMIWG.
- Work in partnership with the AFN to implement their agenda for the 2019 election.
- Support and sustain transmission, proliferation, and regeneration of Indigenous cultural works and languages.
Implement the Calls to Action from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, as well as the recommendations from the Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls.
Work in partnership with the Assembly of First Nations to implement their agenda for the 2019 election.
Ensure that every First Nations, Métis and Inuit child has access to quality educational opportunities based on the expressed cultural, political and social priorities of the First Nations, Métis and Inuit governments, following meaningful consultation.
Support the development of Indigenous education curricula that are language and culture specific.
Increase access to post-secondary education for Indigenous youth by removing the two per cent funding cap, as well as fully funding the program backlog.
Support and sustain the transmission, proliferation, and regeneration of Indigenous cultural works and languages.
Educate non-Indigenous Canadians on the histories, customs, traditions and cultures of the First Nations, Métis and Inuit peoples of Turtle Island.
From Election Platform 2019, retrieved 2019-09-22.
Indigenous education
NDP
- Ensure every child has equal access to learning, backed with federal investments.
- Provide financial support for indigenous youth to continue onto post-secondary.
- Work with provinces to establish Indigenous history education programmes, led by Indigenous peoples.
In government, New Democrats will ensure that every child is provided a safe place to learn and an opportunity to succeed, whether on or off reserve. We will implement Shannen’s Dream of equitable access to education, backed by federal investments and infrastructure, so no student will be forced to learn in dangerous environments as we have witnessed in Kashechewan First Nation.
Recognizing that barriers to post-secondary education and training continue, we will support Indigenous youth and help them bridge the gap to post-secondary education through expanded financial assistance and increased educational opportunities for children who grew up in care, and distance education for rural and remote students.
And we believe that all Canadians should be aware of the contributions and history of Indigenous peoples and understand the legacy of residential schools. We will work with the provinces to establish Indigenous history education programs for all Canadians, based on the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action 62 and 63 – and ensure that the development and implementation of these programs are led by Indigenous peoples.
From A New Deal for People, retrieved 2019-09-22.
Green
- Remove 2% cap on increases in education funding for Indigenous students and ensure access to post-secondary education.
- Ensure every Indigenous child has access to quality education opportunities based on cultural, political, and social priorities of Indigenous governments.
Ensure that every First Nations, Métis and Inuit child has access to quality educational opportunities based on the expressed cultural, political and social priorities of the First Nations, Métis and Inuit governments, following meaningful consultation.
Support the development of Indigenous education curricula that are language and culture specific.
Increase access to post-secondary education for Indigenous youth by removing the two per cent funding cap, as well as fully funding the program backlog.
From Election Platform 2019, retrieved 2019-09-22.
Indigenous employment
Liberal
- Establish a national benefits-sharing framework to ensure First Nations directly benefit form major resource projects in their territories.
- Have at least 5% of federal contracts awarded to Indigenous-led businesses.
NDP
- Develop a new fiscal relationship between the Crown and Indigenous government.
- Create jobs through infrastructure and expanded access to broadband Internet and cell service.
- Commit to Indigenous entrepreneurs.
- Create a Northern Infrastructure Fund for roads and Internet.
A new fiscal relationship means secure funding to support programs and services, and access to revenue streams to help close the socio-economic gap and support self-government.
Making sure that Indigenous communities thrive also means working in partnership with Indigenous peoples to expand economic opportunities and create good jobs in Indigenous communities all across the country.
A New Democrat government will work with Indigenous communities to encourage economic development and create good jobs through infrastructure investments and expanded access to broadband internet and cell service for rural and remote communities. We commit to working with Indigenous entrepreneurs to find solutions for accessing capital and scale up investing in Indigenous social enterprise projects and entrepreneurship.
Smaller Indigenous communities left behind by the current funding model need dedicated regional economic development support to help expand economic opportunities in a way that reflects the community’s social and cultural values.
A New Democrat government will also create a Northern Infrastructure Fund to fast-track investment and focus on improving much needed infrastructure like roads and broadband internet for communities in the North.
From A New Deal for People, retrieved 2019-09-22.
Indigenous health care
Liberal
- Co-develop distinctions-based Indigenous Health legislation, backed with investments.
- Work with First Nations communities to ensure Indigenous control over the development and delivery of services.
NDP
- Support Indigenous health self-determination.
- Improve mental health and addiction treatment services, including an action plan to prevent suicide, backed by dedicated federal resources.
- Ensure availability of culturally appropriate home and long-term care for Elders.
New Democrats will make sure that the federal government steps up to close the health gap in Indigenous communities, and supports Indigenous health self-determination. We recognize that healing the ongoing trauma caused by colonialism and residential schools will require long-term partnership and reliable, ongoing funding.
We will make sure that people can get the treatment they need in their community through investments in Indigenous health care infrastructure and diagnostic equipment. We will work in partnership with Indigenous communities to improve access to mental health and addiction treatment services – including an evidence-based action plan to prevent suicide, backed by dedicated federal resources, fully implementing the New Democrat motion on suicide prevention passed by the House of Commons.
A New Democrat government will also work with communities and care providers to ensure that Indigenous-led, culturally appropriate home care and long-term care is available for Elders, in their home communities and languages.
We will support Indigenous food sovereignty, and reform the Nutrition North program to improve families’ access to food, including country and traditional food.
From A New Deal for People, retrieved 2019-09-22.
Green
- Uphold Jordan's Principle in full.
- Implement Calls to Action 18-24 from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.
- Support First Nations, Métis, and Inuit rebuilding traditional knowledge systems.
Uphold Jordan’s Principle in full, ensuring Indigenous People receive the health care they need without being delayed by bureaucratic disagreements over jurisdiction.
Implement Calls to Action 18-24 from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, improving health care for Indigenous Peoples.
Support First Nations, Métis and Inuit in (re)building traditional knowledge systems around healing and wellness, including the formal inclusion of traditional healing within mental wellness and home and community care programs. This process must be led by First Nations, Métis and Inuit organizations.
From Election Platform 2019, retrieved 2019-09-22.
End drinking water and boil water advisories by investing and upgrading critical infrastructure to ensure safe water access in every community.
Prioritize high quality safe and affordable housing, particularly in the north, and ensure an equitable distribution of resources for energy efficiency retrofits.
Improve food security in northern communities by consulting with residents on Arctic farming, working with non-profit groups to build greenhouses or hydroponic towers and funding education programs in nutrition and horticulture.
Support health-care services that incorporate traditional practices and recognize the role of extended families and elders.
Together with First Ministers and Indigenous leaders, revisit the Blueprint on Aboriginal Health: A 10-Year Transformative Plan abandoned in 2006.
Devote sufficient resources for maternal and infant care, mental health services and treatment for diabetes and tuberculosis.
Sustain the Aboriginal Health Human Resources Initiative to continue capacity building in the health care profession for Indigenous communities.
From Election Platform 2019, retrieved 2019-09-22.
Indigenous housing
NDP
- Implement co-developed First Nations, Métis, and Inuit housing strategies with sustainable and dedicated funding for urban, rural, and remote communities.
- Tackle the mould crisis.
- Make resources available to make homes greener and more energy efficient.
New Democrats will address the Indigenous housing crisis and put an end to chronic overcrowding and long wait lists by working with Indigenous communities to implement co-developed First Nations, Métis, and Inuit housing strategies. These innovative, ground-up strategies will mean sustainable and dedicated funding to meet the needs of Indigenous peoples, whether in urban, rural, or remote communities.
We believe that the federal government must immediately step up to tackle the mould crisis affecting tens of thousands of homes, and provide support for First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples to ensure that their homes are safe and healthy. We will also ensure that Indigenous communities have the resources to make homes greener and more energy efficient, working to keep the benefits of good jobs, training, and investment close to home.
From A New Deal for People, retrieved 2019-09-22.
Indigenous rights
Liberal
- Implement the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples by the end of 2020.
- Develop a framework for repatriating cultural property and ancestral remains.
- Work with First Nations to implement the TRC and IMMIWG.
- Support processes for reconstituting nations.
Introducing co-developed government legislation to implement the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples by the end of 2020.
Developing a framework for repatriating First Nations cultural property and ancestral remains.
Continuing to work with First Nations to implement the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action, and the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls’ Calls for Justice.
Supporting a First Nations-led processes for rebuilding and reconstituting their nations, advancing self-determination and a transition away from the Indian Act.
Working with First Nations to redesign federal policies on additions-to-reserves, and the Specific Claims process to ensure timely and just resolution to specific claims.
Continuing to make progress on Indigenous priorities, meeting regularly through the Assembly of First Nations – Canada Memorandum of Understanding on Joint Priorities.
Hosting a First Ministers’ Meeting on First Nations, Inuit, and Métis priorities, and continuing to advance meaningful inclusion of First Nations partners in federal and intergovernmental decision-making processes that have an impact on Indigenous rights and interests.
From Forward, retrieved 2019-09-30.
NDP
- Co-develop a National Action Plan for Reconciliation.
- Establish a National Council for Reconciliation.
- Replace consultation with free, prior, and informed consent for Indigenous communities affected by policies.
- Respect treaties and Inuit and Métis self-determination.
New Democrats will work with Indigenous peoples to co-develop a National Action Plan for Reconciliation, drawing directly from the Calls to Action and the Declaration to ensure that Canada’s laws, policies, and practices are consistent with Canada’s human rights commitments – including cultural rights, land rights, and rights to self-determination and self-government.
Through legislation, we will establish a National Council for Reconciliation to provide oversight and accountability for this process, reporting regularly to Parliament and Canadians.
A New Democrat government will replace mere consultation with a standard of free, prior, and informed consent for Indigenous communities affected by government policies – including for all decisions affecting constitutionally protected land rights, like energy project reviews. We are committed to good-faith, consent-based engagement and negotiations consistent with the Tsilhqot’in decision, an approach that honours Canada’s legal and constitutional obligations.
We will recognize and respect treaties, supporting Indigenous Nations who are building and re-building their governance structures.
We will also respect Inuit self-determination by co-developing the federal government’s Arctic Policy Framework through shared governance within the Inuit-Crown Partnership Committee, including through the adoption of an Inuit Nunangat policy in full partnership with Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami. We will support the economic and social self-reliance of Inuit by addressing the massive infrastructure deficit in Northern communities.
New Democrats recognize Métis self-determination and in government, we will respect the path forward established by the Métis National Council and its governing members. We will pursue government-to-government negotiations on issues including self-government, education, housing, and health.
A New Democrat government will work in partnership with Indigenous communities across the country to help protect and revitalize the incredible diversity of Indigenous languages in Canada with new legislation and stable funding. In response to Truth and Reconciliation Commission Call to Action 80, we will establish a National Day for Truth and Reconciliation to acknowledge the painful legacy of colonization, honour the Survivors of residential schools, and help communities across Canada commit to meaningful reconciliation.
From A New Deal for People, retrieved 2019-09-22.
Green
- Honour treaties and respect the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
- Make Indigenous nations equal partners in setting national policy priorities.
- Fully implement the TRC and MMIWG report.
- Develop a national strategy for housing, water, food, and healthcare.
The Green Party recognizes the call by the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples (RCAP) for Indigenous self-determination. The Green Party acknowledges that Indigenous Peoples have stewarded lands and waters in their traditional territories for centuries. A Green government will respect Indigenous sovereignty over self-defined and self-governed lands – whether First Nations, Métis or Inuit – and respect all rights that their title to land entails, including the right to stewardship. We respect Inuit sovereignty over Inuit Nunagat. We support the full implementation of treaties and other self-government agreements between Canada and Indigenous governments. A Green government will uphold and fulfill Canada’s responsibilities in all agreements with Indigenous Peoples.
A Green government will re-introduce legislation to enshrine UNDRIP in Canadian law and implement the calls to action from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and the Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls.
The Green Party rejects the Indian Act as racist and oppressive legislation and is committed to dismantling the Act in full partnership and with First Nations taking the lead role in the process. The Indian Act uses race-based criteria to define who is and who is not an Indian and infringes on the right of First Nations people to define themselves. Greens will support Indigenous Peoples’ work and efforts towards self-determination to ensure no one is left behind or excluded from their rightful heritage. While dismantling the Indian Act will be a complex exercise in which Indigenous Peoples have the deciding role, we will establish processes for self-governing Indigenous Peoples and nations who choose to “opt out” of the Indian Act.
A Green government will welcome a genuine nation-to-nation relationship with Indigenous Peoples in Canada that is truly grounded in the UNDRIP doctrine of free, prior and informed consent.
As described in the Democracy section, a Green government will create an inclusive policy and governance body – the Council of Canadian Governments. This will include Indigenous nations and peoples as equal partners with other levels of government in the development of shared national goals, and will be the vehicle for the revamped First Ministers’ meetings.
Greens endorse the comprehensive agenda prepared by the Assembly of First Nations for the 2019 election, covering a range of policy areas that address the inequities and mistreatment experienced by First Nations across Canada. These include measures relating to reconciliation, health, education, housing, climate change, environmental protection, justice, rights, economic development, infrastructure and skills training.
A Green government will pledge to work in good faith as partners with the AFN to achieve their agenda, only negotiating the priority allocation of funds in line with the Green Party’s commitment to fiscal responsibility. We will work with the Métis National Council and Congress of Aboriginal Peoples to meet the Supreme Court decision in Daniels with meaningful funding and action. We will respect and work with the Inuit through the Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami and respect their territory, covering one third of the land mass of Canada.
From Election Platform 2019, retrieved 2019-09-22.
Indigenous self-determination
Green
- Formally repudiate the doctrine of terra nullius, the doctrine of discovery, and other doctrines of superiority.
- Establish processes for self-governing Indigenous Peoples and nations to transition out form under the Indian Act.
- Implement UNDRIP and RCAP recommendations.
Formally repudiate the doctrine of terra nullius, the doctrine of discovery, and other doctrines of superiority.
With Indigenous leaders at the helm, establish processes for self-governing Indigenous Peoples and nations to transition out from under the Indian Act, grounding this in the doctrine of free, prior, and informed consent.
Implement the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and reform all judicial, legislative, and executive branches of the federal government so that they are consistent with the Declaration.
Implement the recommendations of the 1996 Report of the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples.
Affirm the inherent right of Indigenous communities to determine child and family services. Support kinship ties and ensure sufficient funding and resources so that families are kept together.
Include representatives from First Nations, Métis, and Inuit governments on the Council of Canadian Governments to improve policy coherence and optimize public spending with respect to higher order policy priorities
From Election Platform 2019, retrieved 2019-09-22.
Indigenous theatre
Indigenous women, LGBTQI2S+
NDP
- Implement the National Inquiry's Calls for Justice, including a comprehensive plan to address violence against Indigenous women, girls, and LGBTQI2S+ people.
- Ensure gender equality for First Nations status.
- Ensure equitable access and self-determination.
New Democrats will work in partnership with Indigenous women, the families of the missing and murdered, and communities to implement the Inquiry’s Calls for Justice and the calls to action brought forward by communities. This includes establishing a comprehensive, plan to address violence against Indigenous women,girls, and LGBTQI2S+ people — ensuring that all those fleeing violence have access to culturally appropriate programming, emergency shelters, and transitional housing.
We believe it’s wrong that Indigenous women and their children still do not have equal status rights — including the right to pass on the ability to qualify for Indian status registration. Successive Conservative and Liberal governments have failed to fix this gross inequality. New Democrats will act to ensure full gender equality for First Nations status as a matter of priority, consistent with Canadian and international court rulings.
New Democrats acknowledge that respect for Indigenous women, girls, and Two-Spirit people must be made real by ensuring equitable access and self-determination over land, culture, language, housing, child care, income security, employment, education, and physical, mental, sexual, and spiritual health.
From A New Deal for People, retrieved 2019-09-22.
On-reserve services & infrastructure
Liberal
NDP
Reconciliation & environment
NDP
- Recognize inherent rights, title, and treaty rights.
- Ensure that First Nations, Inuit, and Métis have a seat at high-level decision making tables to direct climate change efforts.
- Expand the Indigenous Guardians Program.
- Develop plans to respond to climate change emergencies.
New Democrats will put reconciliation at the core of this effort, upholding Indigenous knowledge and respecting inherent sovereignty. We recognize that as original peoples of this country, Indigenous peoples have intimate connections to their homelands, territories, and resources and have provided stewardship since time out of memory. Indigenous peoples are best placed to protect cultural and biological diversity through control over their territory – and so the recognition of inherent rights, title, and treaty rights will be at the heart of our approach to addressing climate change.
To make full and equal partnership the basis of Canada’s efforts, New Democrats will ensure that First Nations, Inuit, and Métis leadership have a seat at high-level decision making tables to help direct climate change efforts in Canada.
We will also expand the Indigenous Guardians Program, invest in Indigenous-led science, and support the creation of Indigenous-managed protected areas – and make sure that species recovery efforts respect Indigenous rights and embrace traditional knowledge to increase biodiversity.
Indigenous communities are not only stewards of their territories – they are also on the front lines dealing with the impacts of climate change every day. A New Democrat government will work jointly with Indigenous leadership and communities to develop coordinated action plans to respond to climate change emergencies like wildfires and floods. This work will be informed by Indigenous traditional and ecological knowledge and legal systems, and include improving existing infrastructure, developing new infrastructure, and supporting response efforts to keep people safe.
From A New Deal for People, retrieved 2019-09-22.
Reconciliation & justice
NDP
- Follow Truth and Reconciliation Commission Calls to Action 30, 31, and 32.
- Enhance community safety and Indigenous policing, and take steps to end practices such as carding.
- Ensure fair compensation for St. Anne's residential school, Métis, and day school survivors.
New Democrats believe government must work to end systemic discrimination against Indigenous peoples in the justice system. In accordance with Truth and Reconciliation Commission Calls to Action 30, 31, and 32, we will increase the discretion of judges during sentencing, ensure bail programs are culturally appropriate, bolster funding for community justice programs that focus on healing and restorative justice rather than incarceration, and uphold the use of Gladue principles in court proceedings.
We will work with Indigenous communities to enhance community safety and provide the necessary resources for Indigenous policing, while taking steps to end discriminatory policing practices like carding.
A New Democrat government will support the Directive on Civil Litigation Involving Indigenous Peoples that puts an end to costly and adversarial legal battles with Indigenous communities. We will also keep residential school Survivors at the heart of decisions around justice for their experiences, ensuring fair compensation for St. Anne’s residential school Survivors, Métis Survivors, and those who survived abuse in day schools.
From A New Deal for People, retrieved 2019-09-22.
Treaties & land claims
Liberal
- Move forward with a new co-developed, distinctions-based process for reviewing, maintaining, and enforcing Canada's treaty obligations, supported by a new National Treaty Commissioner's Office.
- Work with First Nations to redesign policies on additions-to-reserves.
Moving forward with a new co-developed, distinctions-based process for the ongoing review, maintenance, and enforcement of Canada’s treaty obligations between the Crown and Indigenous communities. This work will be supported by a new National Treaty Commissioner’s Office which will be designed and established with Indigenous partners.
Working with First Nations to redesign federal policies on additions-to-reserves, and the Specific Claims process to ensure timely and just resolution to specific claims.
From Forward, retrieved 2019-09-30.
Green
- Uphold Canada's fiduciary responsibility, fulfil Canada's responsibilities and agreements, honour treaties, and respect all rights, including inherent rights of self-government.
- Work towards an Indigenous Lands and Treaties Tribunal Act.
Uphold Canada’s fiduciary responsibility, fulfill Canada’s responsibilities in agreements, honour treaties, and respect all rights of Indigenous Peoples, including their inherent rights of self-government.
In partnership with Indigenous Peoples, work towards the creation of an Indigenous Lands and Treaties Tribunal Act to establish an independent body that will decide on specific claims, ensuring that treaty negotiations are conducted and financed fairly and that treaty negotiations and claims resolutions do not result in the extinguishment of aboriginal and treaty rights.
Immediately implement the lands claims agreements already negotiated and languishing for lack of funding, particularly for First Nations in the territories.
Ensure that negotiations of treaties and self-government are not based on the extinguishment of Indigenous title and rights, and on assimilation, but on reconciliation of rights and title, and that negotiations recognize the diversity of traditional self-governance.
Negotiate with Indigenous Peoples over primary hunting, fishing, trapping and logging rights on traditional lands, especially lands under federal jurisdiction, subject to standards of sustainable harvesting and traditional ecological knowledge.
From Election Platform 2019, retrieved 2019-09-22.
International Relations
Autonomous weapons
Canadian-manufactured weapons
Climate crisis leadership
NDP
Green
Human rights abroad
Liberal
- Establish a Canadian Centre for Peace, Order, and Good Government.
- Provide additional resources for institutions like the ICC and WTO.
- Develop a framework to transfer seized assets from those who commit human rights abuses to their victims.
establish the Canadian Centre for Peace, Order, and Good Government, which will lend expertise and help to people seeking to build peace, advance justice, promote human rights and democracy, and deliver good governance;
provide international institutions like the International Criminal Court, the World Trade Organization, and others, with additional resources to better enforce international law;
build on the Magnitsky sanctions regime we have put in place, by developing a framework to transfer seized assets from those who commit grave human rights abuses to their victims, with appropriate judicial oversight.
From Forward, retrieved 2019-10-01.
NDP
International assistance
Liberal
- Increase Canada's international development assistance every year.
- Ensure greater effectiveness, transparency, and accountability in management and delivery of international development assistance.
- Spend no less than 10% of our international development assistance on education.
continuing to increase Canada’s international development assistance every year towards 2030, reflecting our commitment to realizing the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals;
improving the way that we manage and deliver international development assistance, to ensure greater effectiveness, transparency, and accountability;
spending no less than 10 per cent of our international development assistance budget on education; and
leading an international campaign to ensure that all children living in refugee or displacement camps can get the good education they need and deserve.
From Forward, retrieved 2019-10-01.
Conservative
- Cut 25% of foreign aid spending.
- Provide additional military and non-military support to Ukraine.
NDP
- Boost Canada's international development assistance, to contribute 0.7 percent of our Gross National Income to international aid.
- Help achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goals for 2030.
- Contribute more to The Global Fund to Fight Aids, Tuberculosis, and Malaria.
A New Democrat government is committed to boosting Canada’s international development assistance, with the goal of contributing 0.7 percent of our Gross National Income to international aid. Canada must do our fair share to help achieve the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals for 2030, including alleviating poverty, ensuring decent work, protecting the rights of Indigenous communities, and supporting global peace and justice. To improve global health, Canada should contribute more to The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria to end these epidemics and support heath care systems in developing countries.
From A New Deal for People, retrieved 2019-09-22.
Green
- Reestablish the Canadian International Development Agency to provide overseas development assistance, untied to Canadian business interests or strategic geopolitics.
- Increase overseas development assistance to 0.7% of GDP.
Re-establish the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) that was dismantled by the Harper government, with a mandate to provide overseas development assistance where it is most needed. Eliminate the requirement that aid be tied to Canadian business interests overseas, or strategic geopolitics.
Increase Canada’s overseas development assistance budget to reach former Prime Minister Pearson’s goal of 0.7 per cent of GDP, which Canada has never achieved but which many in the donor group of our allies have already surpassed.
Ramp up our national contribution to the Green Climate Fund and Global Environmental Facility to $4 billion per year by 2030.
Review federal government policy to align with the 17 Sustainable Development Goals and develop a mechanism to track progress in meeting these targets both at home and abroad.
From Election Platform 2019, retrieved 2019-09-22.
Israel & Palestine
NDP
Nuclear weapons
Jobs & the Economy
Adoptive Leave
Auto industry
NDP
- Meet with provincial, municipal, industry, and labour leaders to develop a consensus on a National Automotive Strategy to attract and retain jobs and investment.
- Restore the Automotive Innovation Fund and make contributions to automakers tax-free.
The auto sector, and the workers and communities that depend on it, matter – and New Democrats will always fight for them. A New Democrat government will urgently convene an auto summit with provincial, municipal, industry and labour leaders to develop a consensus on a National Automotive Strategy to attract and retain jobs and investment. This strategy will make sure that Canadian product lines and manufacturing processes are adapted to meet changing consumer needs and evolving realities in the manufacturing industry – while protecting workers for the long term.
We will also restore the Automotive Innovation Fund and make contributions to automakers tax-free to help secure next generation production capacity. And we will commission an independent study into the causes and consequences of the trade deficit in automotive products with Mexico, along with potential strategies for reducing it.
New Democrats will help Canadian industry lead in the development and manufacturing of the vehicles of tomorrow. We’ll work with labour and industry to make sure that Canadian workers have the skills they need to benefit from the adoption of these new technologies – and drive demand by ensuring that federal incentives for zero-emissions automobiles prioritize made-in-Canada vehicles. Buying Canadian-made zeroemissions cars for government fleets will help us lead by example on sustainability, while creating good jobs here at home.
Finally, in a manner consistent with its arms-length commercial status, a New Democrat government will give Export Development Canada a stronger mandate to recruit and retain investment in automotive plants and export-focused manufacturing here in Canada.
From A New Deal for People, retrieved 2019-09-22.
Banking and credit cards
Green
- Limit credit card interest rates to 10 percentage points over the Bank of Canada prime rate.
- Limit ATM fees to $1 per transaction, and prohibit financial institutions from charging their own customers ATM fees.
Clean energy jobs
Employment Insurance
Liberal
- Introduce a Career Insurance Benefit, providing an additional 20% of insured earnings in the first year following a layoff and an extra 10% in the second year, without being clawed back.
- Extend EI sickness benefits to 26 weeks.
- Create an EI Disaster Assistance benefit.
We will also work with Statistics Canada to strengthen local labour market data, so that Employment Insurance can better reflect local labour market realities, especially in large and diverse regions.
From Forward, retrieved 2019-10-01.
To help people whose jobs and livelihoods are affected when disaster strikes, we will move forward with a new Employment Insurance Disaster Assistance Benefit, to be developed in consultation with experts, workers, and employers. This new benefit will launch in 2021 and will help replace the income that is lost when families need to temporarily stop working to protect their homes, or because they need to relocate to safety.
From Forward, retrieved 2019-10-01.
NDP
A New Democrat government would immediately put in place a universal qualifying threshold of 360 hours to make sure that many more Canadians can access benefits, no matter what kind of work they do – and restore the appeals system to make decisions fast and fair.
New Democrats understand that seasonal workers face particular challenges accessing EI. To help Canadians in seasonal industries bridge the cap between the end of EI and the start of seasonal work, we'll bring back the former Extra Five Weeks pilot project and make it permanent, and we will restore the economic regions in the territories and PEI to their 2014 boundaries.
Parental leave should be available for all Canadian families, in the way that works best for them. Eighteen months of leave is an attractive option for many parents, but not many Canadians can afford to live on just 33 percent of their salary. New Democrats will bring in a new special leave that allows parents to take shorter parental leave at a higher replacement rate. We'll also allow self-employed workers to opt-into parental benefits at any time before taking the leave, and move to double leave for parents of multiples.
To help make ends meet while on EI, we'll increase the income replacement rate to 60 percent – and create a low income supplement so that no one receiving EI regular or special benefits receives less than $1,200 a month.
For many Canadians who need to rely on EI when they're dealing with an illness, the current system falls far short and doesn't provide flexibility to support those who do want to work when they can. To make sure that Canadians can count on EI when they're dealing with a serious illness, a New Democrat government will extend sickness benefits to 50 weeks, expand access to re-training, and create a pilot project to allow workers with episodic disabilities to access EI sickness benefits periodically, as they need them.
Finally we will also protect the EI Operating Account in law, so that future governments can't raid it for general revenue.
From A New Deal for People, retrieved 2019-09-22.
Entrepreneurship & small business
Liberal
- Create the Canada Entrepreneur Account, administered through the Business Development Bank, to provide up to 2000 entrepreneurs with up to $50,000 each.
- Cut the cost of federal incorporation to $50.
- Eliminate fees.
- Eliminate the 'swipe fee' on HST and GST for credit transactions.
cutting the cost of federal incorporation by 75 per cent, to $50 from $200
eliminating all fees from the Business Development Bank of Canada, Export Development Canada, and Farm Credit Canada, for business advisory services like mentorship and training
eliminating the “swipe fee” on HST and GST for credit transactions – which will save businesses nearly $500 million a year in fees, according to the Canadian Federation of Independent Business;
implementing a voluntary, real-time e-payroll system to automate records of employment so that small businesses no longer have to submit detailed records to Service Canada; and
giving $250 to every new business looking to expand their online services
From Forward, retrieved 2019-10-01.
Conservative
- Repeal tax increases on small business investments.
- Exempt spouses from tax increases on small business dividends.
- Make it easier to navigate tax system.
- Reduce federal regulations by 25%.
- Implement a 2-for-1 rule for new regulations.
- Assign a Minister to lead red tape reduction.
Repeal Trudeau’s tax increases on small business investments
Exempt spouses from Trudeau’s tax increases on small business dividends
Make it easier to navigate Canada’s tax system and the Canada Revenue Agency
Reduce federal regulations by 25 per cent
Implement a 2-for-1 rule for new regulations
Assign a Minister reporting directly to the Prime Minister to lead red tape reduction efforts
Mandate ministers and regulators to support innovation, economic growth, and global competitiveness
Champion Canada’s small businesses to the world
From Scheer pledges support to small businesses, retrieved 2019-10-08.
Fair trade
Liberal
- Introduce new rules to streamline trade inside Canada by promoting mutual recognition of standards, such as professional licenses.
- Actively assert federal jurisdiction where needed.
- Create a Canada Free Trade Tribunal to resolve cases where domestic trade barriers may exist.
And to make sure that Canadian exporters have the help they need when they need it, we will give Canadian companies facing commercial or trade disputes abroad immediate, on-the-ground help through a Canada Commercial Consular Service.
From Forward, retrieved 2019-09-30.
NDP
New Democrats support fair trade that broadens opportunity in all areas of the country while protecting our industries and upholding labour standards, environmental protections and human rights. That’s why we’ll always defend Canadian workers in trade negotiations, protect supply management and stand up against unfair tariffs.
We’re committed to improving the transparency of trade negotiations, so that Canadians can clearly understand the costs and benefits of any proposed agreement and have their say before it’s signed. That’s why a New Democrat government will directly engage with Canadians on the expected costs and benefits of potential trade deals, as well as ensure that all trade agreements are consistent with the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. We will evaluate all potential trade deals for their social, environmental and gendered impact on Canadians.
When it comes to what’s on the negotiating table, Canadians know that there are some things that we shouldn’t be willing to compromise on, like investor-state dispute settlement measures that hand too much power to corporations and undermine the rules that keep us safe and healthy. Trade agreements should have enforceable labour, human rights and environmental protections – and New Democrats will always protect Canadians against measures that could increase the cost of pharmaceuticals, weaken our cultural protections, or undermine privacy rights.
A New Democrat government will also do more to defend Canadian workers and, communities from unfair trading practices. We will modernize Canada’s trade remedy system and make sure that trade unions have full standing in trade cases and the ability to initiate trade disputes, as is the case in other countries.
From A New Deal for People, retrieved 2019-09-22.
Green
- Align national trade with climate change plans.
- Protect supply management.
- Facilitate effort to reform the WTO.
- Renegotiate Canada's trade and investment agreements to remove Investor State Dispute Settlement provisions.
Revamp national trade policy to align with national and international climate change plans. This includes reducing the distances over which food is shipped by increasing domestic and local food production.
Protect supply management and ensure that products which are banned in Canada are not imported in food from other countries, for example bovine growth hormone in milk products.
Facilitate a global effort to reform the World Trade Organization. Building on General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) article XX, which was always intended to insulate legislated domestic conservation efforts from trade disciplines, revamp the World Trade Organization to the World Trade and Climate Organization to ensure that trade is consistent with a global carbon budget. Tariffs will be assigned based on the carbon intensity of imported products.
Renegotiate Canada’s trade and investment agreements to remove the Investor State Dispute Settlement (ISDS) provisions that give foreign corporations extraordinary powers to challenge the laws and policies of democratically elected governments, and include binding labour, health, safety and environmental standards.
From Election Platform 2019, retrieved 2019-09-22.
Financial advice
Interprovincial trade
Investment in industries
NDP
Jobs in oil, gas, and coal
Green
Embed just transition principles in planning, legislative, regulatory and advisory processes to ensure ongoing and concrete actions throughout the fossil-fuel phase-out transition, including:
- Meeting directly with affected communities to learn about their local priorities, and to connect them with federal programs that could support their goals.
- Establishing a dedicated, comprehensive, inclusive and flexible just transition funding program for affected communities.
- Developing and implementing a just transition plan for workers in fossil fuel sectors, championed by a lead minister who oversees and reports on progress.
- Integrating provisions for just transition in federal environmental and labour legislation and regulations, as well as relevant inter-governmental agreements.
- Establishing a targeted, long-term research fund for studying the impact of the sector phase-out and the transition to a low-carbon economy.
Ensure locally available supports, including funding the establishment and operation of locally-driven transition centres in affected communities.
Identify and fund local infrastructure projects in affected communities.
Provide a pathway to retirement by creating a pension bridging program for workers who will retire earlier than planned due to the phase out.
Transition workers to sustainable employment by:
- Creating a detailed and publicly available inventory with labour market information pertaining to oil, coal and gas workers, such as skills profiles, demographics, locations, and current and potential employers.
- Creating a comprehensive funding program for workers staying in the labour market to address their needs across the stages of securing a new job, including income support, education and skills building, re-employment, and mobility.
- Investing in comprehensive retraining and apprenticeship programs for industrial trades workers for jobs in the transition to a zero-carbon economy, especially the renewable and energy efficiency sectors.
From Election Platform 2019, retrieved 2019-09-22.
Manufacturing jobs
NDP
- Develop a national industrial strategy to build an advanced low-carbon manufacturing economy.
- Grow the domestic market for Canadian manufactured goods.
- Provide strategic support for steel and aluminum industries.
A New Democrat government will bring together all levels of government, together with business and labour leaders, to develop a national industrial strategy to build an advanced low carbon manufacturing economy in Canada that will provide good middle-class jobs to Canadian workers. We will also take measures to grow the domestic market for Canadian manufactured goods, and provide strategic supports to our long-neglected steel and aluminum industries to attract and retain jobs and investments in communities across the country.
When the Liberal government signed a new trade deal with the United States that contained damaging steel and aluminum tariffs, New Democrats fought alongside labour and the industry get the tariffs permanently removed – and won. But there is still much work to be done to protect Canadian jobs against the risk that the U.S. could impose new tariffs. For New Democrats, no tariffs against our steel or aluminum will ever be acceptable. That’s why we will adopt measures to stabilize the Canadian steel market, and protect the sector from predatory practices of foreign producers who are shut out of other markets.
Liberal and Conservative governments have failed to use Canadian government infrastructure procurement to support Canada’s manufacturing economy, and have often negotiated trade deals that put domestic procurement policies at risk. New Democrats will require the use of Canadian-made steel and aluminum for infrastructure projects across the country.
From A New Deal for People, retrieved 2019-09-22.
Minimum wage & universal income
NDP
- Put in place a federal minimum wage of $15/hour, covering over 900,000 workers.
- Launch a national basic income pilot project.
New Democrats will work with the provinces to launch a national basic income pilot project in addition to continuing Ontario’s program, in order to gather data about this approach to tackling income precarity.
Green
- Establish a universal Guaranteed Livable Income programme.
- Establish a federal minimum wage of $15/hour.
- Work with the Council of Canadian Governments and StatsCan to set municipal minimum wages in accordance with the differential costs of living across Canada.
Establish a universal Guaranteed Livable Income (GLI) program to replace the current array of income supports, such as disability payments, social assistance and income supplements for seniors. Building on the MBM, payment would be set at a “livable” level for different regions of the country. The negotiation to implement a livable income across the country would take place through the Council of Canadian Governments. Unlike existing income support programs, additional income would not be clawed back. Those earning above a certain total income would pay the GLI back in taxes.
From Election Platform 2019, retrieved 2019-09-22.
Minorities in nontraditional fields
NDP
Overtime
Liberal
Part-time and contract work
Pensions
NDP
[...] we will make sure that pensioners are at the front of the line when a company goes bankrupt, and make sure unfunded pension liabilities owed to workers and employees’ severance pay are the top priority for repayment.
We’ll stop companies from paying out dividends and bonuses when pensions are under-funded and we’ll create a mandatory, industry-financed pension insurance program to make sure that no worker is deprived of the retirement benefits they’ve earned.
The federal government has a critical role to play in protecting defined benefit pensions across the country. The Liberals’ openness to target benefit plans in the public sector, which don’t guarantee stable benefits for retirees, puts defined benefits at risk for all Canadians – and we will immediately put a stop to this chipping away of retirement security.
We are committed to strengthening public pensions and improving retirement security for all Canadians. A New Democrat government will create a Pension Advisory Commission to develop a long-term plan to protect and enhance Old Age Security, boost the Guaranteed Income Supplement, and strengthen the Canada Pension Plan. We’ll also make automatic enrollment (sic) in OAS and GIS retroactive, so no retiree misses out on benefits that they should be receiving, and we will support efforts to make sure Canadians have good retirement financial literacy.
From A New Deal for People, retrieved 2019-09-22.
Green
- Increase over time the target income replacement rate of the CPP form 25% to 50% of income received during working years.
- Require CPP divestment of coal, oil, and gas shares.
- Establish preeminence of pensioners during company insolvency proceedings.
Ensure the Canada Pension Plan (CPP) remains robust and adaptive to changing needs and circumstances by increasing over time the target income replacement rate from 25 per cent to 50 per cent of income received during working years.
Regulate the CPP Investment Board to require divestment of coal, oil and gas shares and ensure that all investments are ethical and promote environmental sustainability.
Protect private pensions by amending the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act and Companies’ Creditors Arrangement Act to establish the preeminence of pensioners and the pension plan in the creditor hierarchy during company insolvency proceedings.
From Election Plan 2019, retrieved 2019-09-22.
Poverty
NDP
- Enshrine the right to housing in law and start working to end homelessness within a decade.
- Support the creation of more social housing.
- Launch a national basic income pilot project.
- Develop a national, public, universal child care programme.
A core component of our approach is enshrining the right to housing in law and starting work now with a goal of ending homelessness in Canada within a decade. In a country as wealthy as Canada, there is no excuse to leave any Canadian living in poverty without a safe roof over their head.
Our affordable housing strategy will include measures to support Canadians at risk of becoming homeless, take the lead from communities about local needs, and adopt a “housing first” approach. To help people find an affordable home in the long term, we will support the creation of more social housing and other affordable options.
Poor health and poverty are linked and a national pharmacare program will mean that all Canadians can access the prescription medicine they need, regardless of their income, or address. Better access to mental health and addictions support will also form a key part of our approach to tackling poverty.
New Democrats will work with the provinces to launch a national basic income pilot project in addition to continuing Ontario’s program, in order to gather data about this approach to tackling income precarity. Developing a national, public, universal child care program is also critical for lifting women and their families out of poverty and is an important way to give all kids a good start in early learning.
Finally, making sure that all Canadians can access healthy, affordable food is a cornerstone of our Canadian food strategy. A national school nutrition program will make sure that no child enters their classroom hungry. Children should always have access to healthy food and the ability to concentrate on learning. In addition, New Democrats will ensure that a reformed Nutrition North program is able to better respond to the needs of Northern families, to put an end to chronic food insecurity in the North.
From A New Deal for People, retrieved 2019-09-22.
Public infrastructure
Liberal
- Create a National Infrastructure Fund to support major nation-building projects.
- Support the Newfoundland-Labrador fixed transportation link.
- Require provinces and territories identify and approve all long-term infrastructure priorities within the next two years.
To make sure that the infrastructure that people and communities need is built, we will require that all provinces and territories identify and approve all of their long-term infrastructure priorities within the next two years. Funds that aren’t designated for specific projects by the end of 2021 will be reinvested directly in communities through a top-up of the federal Gas Tax Fund.
From Forward, retrieved 2019-09-30.
Conservative
- Ensure regions receive a fair share of infrastructure funding with budgets for each.
- Scrap the Infrastructure Bank.
- Fund George Massey Tunnel Replacement, Yonge Subway Extension, & 3rd link between Quebec City & Levis.
- Proceed with projects committed to by the Liberals.
- Set aside a separate fund for rural and remote communities.
NDP
- Partner with provinces territories, First Nations, and municipalities to deliver reliable public infrastructure funding.
- Use Community Benefit Agreements to guarantee jobs, training, apprenticeships, and support for local businesses with infrastructure.
Our vision is one where communities can afford to build the infrastructure they need to thrive, from roads and bridges to community centres and child care centres, and everything in between. These investments will create good jobs in every part of the country. To get there, we will partner with provinces, territories, First Nations, and municipalities to deliver reliable public infrastructure funding that puts people – not profit – first. By using Community Benefit Agreements, we will guarantee that good jobs, training, apprenticeships, and support for local businesses are part of every infrastructure project.
When it comes to getting around, public transit should be a convenient and affordable option that makes your commute easier, all while taking cars off the road, cutting emissions, and reducing gridlock. New Democrats understand that getting our communities moving is critical for our economy and our quality of life. That’s why we’ll put in place a permanent, direct, allocation-based funding mechanism for modern public transit across Canada for the long run. We’ll also step up investments now to help cities transition their bus fleets to electric and to expand affordable rail and bus options in all parts of the country. And for municipalities that make it a priority, a New Democrat government will work with them towards fare-free transit to ease commutes and make life more affordable.
Nothing is more important than having a place to call home. No matter who you are, you need a safe and affordable place to live and raise your family. But Canadians across the country are facing a housing crisis and we need a government that gets back to work building new affordable housing to help confront it. A New Democrat government will partner with provinces and municipalities to create half a million units of affordable housing over the next ten years. This will include social housing, community, and non-market housing, as well as co-ops. We’ll also streamline the application process and immediately provide dedicated fast-start funds to help communities get the expertise and assistance they need to get projects off the ground now, not years from now. Wherever possible, we’ll encourage provinces to work with social enterprises to make sure that the training and jobs associated with building affordable housing go to those who need opportunities the most.
As the impacts of climate change are felt across the country, New Democrats believe that all levels of government have to step up to help communities cope with the impacts of extreme weather. That’s why a New Democrat government will expand federal funding to respond to disasters and support communities in proactively adapting their infrastructure to withstand floods, forest fires, and other extreme weather events. We will also partner with Canadians and communities to make serious investments in making buildings more energy efficient to help families save money and fight climate change.
In our digital age, technological infrastructure is more important than ever. That’s why we’re committed to making sure that every community in Canada has access to high-speed internet. We’ll also ensure that the right investments are made to expand cell phone coverage to all parts of the country, so that Canadians can stay connected – affordably – no matter where they are.
From A New Deal for People, retrieved 2019-09-22.
Public service
Liberal
- Entirely eliminate backlog of pay issues resulting from Phoenix.
- Reduce time to hire new public servants to average of five months.
- Have all major projects led by certified professionals with at least five years experience.
- Reduce number of significant deficiencies.
Entirely eliminating the backlog of outstanding pay issues for public servants as a result of the Phoenix pay system, so that they can focus on their work and not on resolving long-standing payroll problems;
Reducing the time it takes to hire new public servants, with the goal of cutting in half the average time from ten to five months;
Improving project management capabilities, so that all major projects in government are led by a certified professional with at least five years of experience; and
Reducing the number of significant deficiencies identified by the Auditor General in subsequent follow-up audits of a department or program.
From Forward, retrieved 2019-09-30.
NDP
Green
- Respect rights of unionized employees of the public service to bargain by rejecting back-to-work legislation.
- Establish an Ombudsman to provide help to harassed and demoralized employees.
Respect the unionized employees of the federal public service and the bargaining process by rejecting back-to-work legislation as a bargaining tool.
Establish a federal Ombudsman to provide impartial and non-departmental help to harassed and demoralized employees.
From Election Platform 2019, retrieved 2019-09-22.
Tourism
Liberal
Unpaid internships
Green
Justice, Crime, & Law Enforcement
Cannabis
Green
- Lower federally set price for cannabis, making it competitive with illegal supplies.
- Eliminate requirements for excess packaging.
- Remove sales tax on medicinal products.
- Exempt CBD from the restrictions of the Prescriptions List.
Lower the federally set price for cannabis to make it competitive with illegal supplies.
Eliminate requirements for excess plastic packaging on legal cannabis.
Remove the sales tax on medicinal products.
Allow outdoor production and impose organic production standards.
Exempt CBD from the restrictions of the Prescriptions List, allowing hemp growers to produce it as a natural health product. This would strengthen the hemp industry and increase supply so those who use it for medicinal purposes do not have to purchase it illegally.
From Election Platform 2019, retrieved 2019-09-22.
Reform the process of record suspensions for simple possession of cannabis to maximize fairness and accessibility for marginalized communities, and review the process of record suspensions as it applies to other offences.
Civil & family justice services
Green
Correctional workers
Deferred Prosecution Agreements & SNC-Lavalin scandal
Liberal
Conservative
- Launch a judicial inquiry into the SNC-Lavalin scandal.
- Allow the RCMP to access information protected by cabinet confidence by making an application to the Supreme Court.
NDP
- Immediately launch an independent public inquiry into alleged attempts from the Prime Minister's office to interfere in the former Attorney General decision-making authority.
- Prohibit corporations facing criminal charges from lobbying elected officials.
Green
- Develop a clear framework for use of Deferred Prosecution Agreements and require the Director of Public Prosecutions to report on negotiated DPAs.
- Implement McLellan Report recommendations for a clear written exchange of views between ministers.
Extremism & terrorism
Liberal
- Invest additional $6 million in the Canada Centre for Community Engagement and Prevention of Violence.
- Invest resources to counter the rise of international far-right networks and terrorist organizations.
- Create a Director of Terrorism Prosecutions.
- Create a review body for CBSA.
To better coordinate efforts to prosecute terror suspects to the fullest extent of the law, we will move forward with the creation of a Director of Terrorism Prosecutions. This new office will make sure that Canadians who travel abroad to join terrorist organizations, or who participate in terrorist organizations here at home, are brought to justice.
We will also move forward with more support for the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, so that they can hire and train 100 additional officers for offices and embassies abroad. This will improve our ability to combat terrorism, human trafficking, drug smuggling, money laundering, and other forms of organized crime.
We will also move forward with reintroducing legislation to create a review body for the Canada Border Services Agency – the only remaining security agency that does not have its own independent review.
From Forward, retrieved 2019-09-30.
NDP
- Address radicalization by focusing on keeping youth from violent extremism through support for community-led initiatives.
- Work with international allies, enhance real-time oversight of security services, and fully respect privacy and Charter rights of all Canadians.
We’ll address radicalization by focusing on preventing youth from falling prey to violent extremism through support for community-led initiatives.
New Democrats will deal with threats to our national security, including foreign interference and espionage, terrorism, and cybercrime, by working with our international allies, enhancing real-time oversight of security services, and fully respecting the privacy and Charter rights of all Canadians.
From A New Deal for People, retrieved 2019-09-22.
Gangs
Liberal
- Invest an additional $50m each year for five years in dedicated funding to help municipalities meet the needs of communities at risk.
- Work to expand successful diversion programmes to keep at-risk youth out of the criminal justice system.
Conservative
- End automatic bail for gang members awaiting trial and revoke parole for those who associate with their former gang following release.
- Identify known gangs as criminal entities.
- Bring in tougher sentences including 5-year mandatory prison sentence for violent gang crime.
End automatic bail for gang members awaiting trial and revoke parole for any gang member who associates with their former gang following release.
Identify known gangs as criminal entities in the Criminal Code, similar to how terrorist organizations are currently listed.
Bring in tougher sentences, including a five-year minimum mandatory prison sentence for violent gang crime, with a new five-year minimum mandatory prison sentence for possession of a smuggled firearm.
From Andrew Scheer releases Conservative plan for A Safer Canada, retrieved 2019-10-08.
NDP
Guns
Liberal
- Ban all military-style assault rifles, including a buyback programme.
- Work with provinces & territories to give municipalities the ability to further restrict or ban handguns.
- Don't bring back the long-gun registry.
- Make sure CBSA & RCMP can detect and stop weapons at border.
We will move forward with a ban on all military-style assault rifles, including the AR-15, and will take other steps to keep people safe from gun violence, including:
introducing a buyback program for all military-style assault rifles legally purchased in Canada, with fair market prices for owners and more resources for law enforcement to administer the program;
working with provinces and territories to give municipalities the ability to further restrict or ban handguns; and
protecting the rights of hunters and farmers, by not bringing back the long-gun registry. Hunters and farmers do not use or need assault weapons.
make sure the Canada Border Services Agency and Royal Canadian Mounted Police have the resources they need to detect and stop the flow of weapons at our borders;
require everyone importing ammunition to show proof of a valid firearms license;
make it harder for legal weapons to get into the hands of criminals by further strengthening safe-storage laws;
address the problem of gender-based and intimate-partner violence head on, by temporarily suspending firearms licenses for people who are suspected of posing a danger to themselves or others, including their partners or kids;
introduce a system for flagging bulk purchases of guns;
strengthen penalties for people seeking to smuggle firearms into Canada; and
limit the glorification of violence, by changing the way firearms are advertised, marketed, and sold in Canada.
From Forward, retrieve 2019-09-30.
Conservative
- Create a CBSA firearms smuggling task force to intercept illegal firearms at the Canada-US border.
- Strengthen background checks for gun licenses and make it a crime to provide a firearm to anyone who has been prohibiting from owning one.
NDP
Green
- Ensure illegal handguns are intercepted.
- Redirect CBSA resources to weapons smuggling.
- Launch a confidential buyback programme for handguns and assault weapons.
Human trafficking
Conservative
- Strengthen human trafficking laws, including consecutive sentences for those who are convicted on multiple counts of human trafficking.
- Ensure Canada meets commitments under the Palermo Protocol.
Legal aid & access to justice
Liberal
- Provide free legal aid to survivors of sexual assault and intimate partner violence.
- Require all judges to take training on sexual assault law.
- Enable hiring of as many as 425 new Crown prosecutors and 225 new judges.
providing free legal aid to survivors of sexual assault and intimate partner violence, to make sure that they have access to quality, affordable legal representation;
requiring that all judges in Canada undertake mandatory training on sexual assault law, including myths and stereotypes about victims and the effects of trauma on victims’ memory (the “Ambrose bill”); and
providing additional support to the provinces and territories, to enable them to hire as many as 425 new Crown prosecutors, and 225 new judges, to help reduce delays.
From Forward, retrieved 2019-09-30.