Canada’s very own Decision 2008 is less than a month’s time!

Here at Blables, we have compiled a synopsis of the platforms of the leaders of the three of the four mainstream parties. Hopefully, it would help Canadian voters make a more informed decision.

Canadian Federal Election 2008 – Political Platforms Summary

	Jack Layton	Stephane Dion	Stephen Harper
Taxes	Oppose Carbon Tax Introduce Income Trust Tax	Lower Income Tax Introduce Carbon Tax Oppose GST cut	Oppose Carbon Tax Introduce Income Trust Tax Lower Diesel Fuel Tax Tax Free Savings Account
Environment	Require government to cut greenhous gas emissions by 80% by 2050 Reaffirm Canada’s commitment to Kyoto Protocol	Carbon Tax Reaffirm Canada’s commitment to Kyoto Protocol Rearrange subsidies for oil industry to encourage greener practices	Failed to commit to Kyoto Protocol
Afghanistan	Immediate withdrawal Demand review of Afghan detainee transfer agreement	Openly supported Canadian’s presence Voted against extending war past February 2009 Voted for end date to be 2011 Oppose handing over of Afghan prisoners for torture	Fully supports military presence in Afghanistan Forced to set end date to be 2011 Dismissed reports on Afghan prison abuse allegations
Abortion	Pro-choice	Pro-choice Opposed Unborn Victims of Crime Act	Neutral
Immigration	Opposed *Bill C-50	Abstained from voting the passage of *Bill C-50	Supported *Bill C-50
Gun Control	Ban private ownership of semi-automatic rifles	Prohibit assault rifles	Abolish long-gun registry
Omar Khadr	Seeks repatriation	Seeks repatriation	Inaction
Quebec	Recognize Quebec as a separate nation Encourage ‘asymmetrical federalism’	Promotes national unity by engaging Quebec nationalists	Address fiscal imbalance Resepect provincial jurisdiction
Middle East	Immediate ceasefire between Israelis and Palestinians Urge Canada to use its diplomatic offices at the United Nations and bilateral relations with Israel and Palestinian authority to negotiate peaceful solution	Criticize government for cutting aids to Hamas government Promote peacekeeping military strategies over combat missions Support NATO’s role in global peacekeeping	Fully support US’s war in Iraq but would not commit troops Strong supporter of Israel and its military strategies
Economy	Lower taxes on lower income bracket ‘Research and developemnt’ tax credit program Evaluate Canadian’s trade laws Reduction of provincial trade barriers	Strengthen trade ties with US Increase export to China and India Increase capital cost allowance Cut general corporate tax rate	Cut general corporate tax rate No major spending change or tax change Allow more foreign ownership of airline and uranium industry Strengthen ties with India
Alberta Oilsands	Stop further expansion until water and land are restored	Oppose moratorium Seek environmental laws to ensure rational growth	Support further and speedy expansion and development
Health Care	Ban federal subsidies to private insurance system Introduce National Prescription Drug Plan and Health Care Provider Training Fund	Universal health care access with limited private section involvement	Pushing for mix of private and public health care delivery
NAFTA	Oppose NAFTA	Support NAFTA	Support NAFTA
Aboriginal Rights	Issued apologies for Indian residential schools Push for commitment to Kelowna Accord Push government to sign International Declaration of Indigenous People	Issued apologies for Indian residential schools Push for commitment to Kelowna Accord Push government to sign International Declaration of Indigenous People	Issued apologies for Indian residential schools Push for commitment to Kelowna Accord Implement Indian Residential Schools Settlement agreement
Criminal Justice	National Youth Initiative program to help youth secure employment and divert from gangs Increase RCMP recruits Mandatory sentences for possession, dealing or trafficking of illegal arms	More funding to increase RCMP and municipal police officer recruits Appoint more judges and put more prosecutors in courts Support reverse onus bail for gun-related crimes	Mandatory sentences for gun-related crimes Try 14 year-olds as adults Toughen up parole eligibility
* Bill C-50 is a legislation that puts immigration restrictions on unskilled individuals and gives Immigration Minister selection powers to limit immigration applicants.

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