Because Canada Depends on It.
The Green Party has a comprehensive plan for a sustainable economy, strong communities, good government and bold action on climate change. This post is the second of four summaries based on the Green Party platform:
We need a government that will invest in the fundamental building blocks on which our neighbourhoods rely – from healthcare to transit, child care to public parks, bridges to local agriculture. The current situation is not working for many Canadians. The dream of homeownership and affordable rental housing is slipping away. Canadians are being asked to pay out-of-pocket for everything from prescription medicine to dental care, while child care is becoming increasingly unaffordable. Many households are having trouble making ends meet month in, month out. We want to invest in our communities just as previous generations invested in the systems we have allowed to fall into disrepair. Strong communities are the foundation on which Canada has been built, and on which Canada depends. Here's what Greens would do to restore them:
Defend Public Health Care
Implement a National Pharmacare program to cover prescription medication for all Canadians. Introduce public dental coverage for low income youth (under 18 years of age). Increase emphasis on preventative health care through active lifestyles and healthy diets. All these initiatives will save money in the long-run.
Implement a National Seniors Strategy
Canada's seniors - which is all of us eventually - deserve a comprehensive set of policies that addresses their needs while maintaining productive lives and aging gracefully. That's why Greens support pharmacare, home care, a national dementia strategy, a Guaranteed Livable Income, pension protection and expansion of the CPP.
“Providing our most at-risk citizens with the resources they need to make ends meet greatly reduces the burden on our emergency and social services, our health care and criminal justice systems – saving Canadian society money and empowering all citizens to overcome periods of hardship.”
Eliminate Poverty and Challenge Inequality
Phase in a Guaranteed Livable Income, ensure equal pay for equal work, implement a federal minimum wage of $15 an hour and ensure high quality child care for every Canadian family who wants it.
Strong First Nations and Indigenous communities
Implement the findings of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. Recognize indigenous rights and title. Negotiate in good faith to settle land claims, establish treaties and self-government arrangements. Ensure access to quality public services for all First Nations, Metis and Inuit. Provide adequate funding for housing, education, and health care, both on and off reserves. Launch a national inquiry into missing and murdered indigenous women.
Re-invest in the CBC and Radio-Canada, Canadian Arts and Culture, Television and Film
Reverse cuts and invest additional money to rebuild the CBC and Radio-Canada’s local coverage and capacity. Restructure its governance structure. Enshrine the principle of “net-neutrality” in Canadian legislation. Increase funding to Canada’s arts and culture organizations.
Protect Canada Post
More emails reduce letters by post but on-line shopping has increased parcels: small business is very dependent on postal service. Since Canada Post is in every community, big and small, diversify the services it offers (e.g. banking, as in many countries).
Ensure Safety, Defense, and Disaster Preparedness for our Communities
Create peace of mind for Canadians by reversing funding cuts and re-investing in disaster preparedness, training, and equipment. Strengthen Canada’s defence capacity by prioritizing peacekeeping; defensive missions with our allies; border, northern, and coast guard patrols; search and rescue missions; and patrolling our parks. Restore secure and generous pensions to veterans. Re-open the Veterans Affairs offices across Canada, reversing the $200 million cut to Veterans Affairs.
The Green Party platform is a plan for all Canadians, for our democracy, our economy, our communities – for our future, together. Instead of a random selection of vote-buying gimmicks, we offer a comprehensive, coherent plan for social justice for all. We hope it will inspire you to join us, and to vote Green on October 19.
