This election campaign jack Layton has made a mad dash forward in the polls with projections of up to 100 seats potentially being awarded to the NDP. Jack Layton has clearly connected with voters this election- including myself.
Harper’s control of the media (only allowing 5 questions asked per day during the election when usually the media have constant access to candidates), his constant vilification of ‘coalitions’ (even though he himself signed an agreement to one with the bloc in the past AND they are perfectly democratic), and his focus on crime and low corporate taxes has completely turned me off of his campaign from the beginning.
We have witnessed a slow erosion of social programs in Canada and an inability for canadians to receive help and access services when they most needed. Canadians across the country, and within Niagara, have been unable to receive help due to sickness, job loss or other hardships. It is time to turn the tide and re-invest in the programs that made our country great.
Most conservative supporters say that increasing social services will cost too much and we are taxed too much as it is. And that we need a low tax rate to keep business in Canada.
Our corporate tax rate is almost half the US rate… And guess what? The businesses have left despite consistent reductions. Taxes are a small consideration for business location. Taking into accounts the markets, workforce, local creative and innovative culture are among the many factors that businesses consider when locating. If anything, a business will be more likely to locate in an area with strong social programs because the corporation likely will have reduced losses due to illness and won’t need to start employee medical insurance plans.
In addition to health care, I have seen many hard working canadians who have lost their jobs recently and are struggling or are unable to provide basic necessities for their families. Confronting poverty is a must and making sure that those needed programs like EI are there during these though times is important.
Also, we have seen Canada pull out of Kyoto and minimal environmental action under the Harper government. We need a plan to deal with the environment and climate change. The rising cost of gas will continue to rise no matter how much we reduce or eliminate tax on fuel. Investing in alternative energy sources is necessary not only in the long term but in the short term. We need action now. Investing in alternative transit options like high speed rail that is consistent, reliable and affordable is a must or Canada. Years ago we undertook an ambitious project to unite this country with a railway connection. Again we need to embrace the opportunity and embark on another monumental task to bring affordable, efficient, world-leading mass transit to Canada and reduce our dependence on oil.
Finally, as someone who has spent many years as a student, I see the importance of education to the future of our youth. Cost is one of the main barriers. I have seen people leave university with up to $100,000 due to the high cost of tuition, residence and meal plans. With rising education costs, university education is becoming accessible only for youth from higher income families. Clearly, action is required to enhance funding to our universities and colleges across the country. Even neoliberal commentators have trumpeted the importance of universities in enhancing employment in the postindustrial work environment, but yet they have continuously decreased funding to our educational institutions. It’s time to change that and make Canada the research and knowledge leader of the world.
The NDP is the party that closest encompasses my views and it is for that reason that I am voting orange this election.
Many of us Across Canada share the exact same sentiments!