|
II
GOVERNING THEMES
ECONOMIC
AND FISCAL THEMES
We will base the development of economic and fiscal policy on the
following principles:
1. Foster an economic climate where a thriving entrepreneurial sector
creates quality jobs for all Canadians;
2. Mandate balanced budgets;
3. Lower personal and business taxes;
4. Support priority pay-down of the national debt;
5. Simplify and make fairer the Canadian tax system through
publicly-driven tax reform;
6. Follow transparent and generally accepted financial accounting
principles; and
7. Recognize and affirm the historic common law right to ownership and
enjoyment of private property.
SOCIAL
THEMES
We recognize that all human beings possess the fundamental human rights
of life, freedom and the right to own and enjoy property
We endorse social Policies that build upon Canadians' traditional values
of strength and compassion, characterized by:
1. Personal responsibility;
2. Individual freedom and independence;
3. Recognize the family as the essential building block for a healthy
society;
4. Respect and support for law and order, including substantial reform
of the criminal justice system;
5. A commitment to building and maintaining a superior health care
system which respects provincial jurisdictions;
6. A practical sensitivity to the many legitimate regional, cultural and
linguistic interests within Canada;
7. An environmental protection program that recognizes the balance
needed between environmental protection and economic and social
development;
8. Supporting genuine refugees; and immigration where it is a positive
source of economic growth;
9. Reasonable assistance to those of us who are unable to secure the
necessities of life; and
10. A primary role for provincial governments, rather than the federal
government, in formulating social policies.
DEMOCRATIC
AND GOVERNANCE THEMES
We recognize the need for more democratic and accountable political
institutions and a better-working federation. We support Policies that
renew and strengthen democratic institutions and resolve questions of
accountability and jurisdiction, including:
1. A clear understanding and respect for the role and powers of a more
focussed federal government (with respect to both domestic and
international responsibilities);
2. A clear understanding and respect for the role and powers of the
provincial governments;
3. A respect for the equality of all citizens and provinces before and
under the law;
4. Respect for the vision and the intent of the original Confederation
agreements regarding the division of responsibilities, and an end to the
abuse of federal spending powers which undermine those agreements;
5. A strengthened new federalism that promotes cooperation, reduces
overlap and duplication between the two orders of government, and
provides clear accountability;
6. Meaningful Parliamentary reform, including:
i) initiatives to make the House of Commons more democratic and
accountable, including free votes to reduce Party discipline and help
private member initiatives;
ii) an unwavering commitment to an elected Senate.
iii) increased direct democratic responsibility through referenda,
citizens' initiatives and recall.
7. Electoral reform; and
8. A clear understanding that final responsibility for public policy
rests with elected governments and not unaccountable judges and human
rights bureaucrats, and the respects for the legitimate use of the
Section 33 Notwithstanding power.
|
