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View candidates' main stances organized by topic
Childcare
Many believe that Canada’s economic recovery from COVID-19 requires equal access to good child care options so that parents, and especially women, are able to return to work. The cost and quality of child care in Canada depends on where you live. A 2019 survey found that the median (mid-point) for the monthly costs of infant child care in major cities ranges from $179- $1,774 per month. The lowest costs are found in Quebec where the provincial government provides significant funding for public child care and sets the fees at a low rate.
If elected, an NDP government would introduce committing to high-quality, public childcare, and would work with the provinces to create a $10-a-day childcare system for everyone.[5][6]
If elected, a Green government would institute a universal childcare system available to all children whatever their parents’ work status or income level.[7][8]
A Liberal government would reduce childcare fees by 50% next year, and would continue finalizing agreements with the provinces and territories to put in place a $10-a-day childcare program within the next five years. A Liberal government would also work with Quebec to build on its own childcare system.[1][2]
If elected, a Conservative government would turn the into a refundable , and make it cover up to 75% of childcare for lower income families. It would also be updated to pay out over the course of the year.[3][4]
Economy
In 2021, as the Canadian economy recovers from the impact of pandemic lockdowns, managing and promoting economic activity will be a key priority for the governing party. Some signs of a healthy economy include high levels of employment, decent wages, businesses making money, new home construction, lower interest/borrowing rates, and overall growth in business activities and consumption of goods and services.
A Liberal government would work with other countries to implement a global minimum tax rate, to discourage people and companies from avoiding paying they owe in Canada by moving to other countries with lower rates.[1][2]
The Bloc Québécois maintains that seasonal businesses which have lost two seasons because of the pandemic (such as sugar shacks) should receive more help from the federal government.[9]
If elected, an NDP government would continue for small businesses to help them pay rent and staff until they’re able to fully reopen after the pandemic. An NDP government would pay the money small businesses would usually have to pay into an employee’s EI or CPP for new or rehired staff, and would cap fees that businesses have to pay to credit card companies for sales at 1%.[5][6]
A Conservative government would provide of up to $200,000 to small and medium-sized businesses in the retail, tourism, and hospitality industries. Up to 25% of those would not have to be paid back.[3][4]
If elected, a Green government would introduce a Just Transition Act before the end of 2021. The purpose of this Act would be to make sure the transition to a decarbonized economy takes place in a fair way that protects communities and affected people (such as workers in greenhouse gas-intensive industries, Indigenous Peoples, marginalized communities).[7][8]
Education and Training
Although education is a provincial responsibility, the federal government provides support for education through funding research and jobs training, creating programs to help Canadians save for post secondary tuition, and offering loans and grants through the Canada Student Financial Assistance Program. In the 2021 budget, the federal government committed $5.7 billion over five years for measures intended to help young people access education and find jobs.
If elected, a Conservative government would double the amount available for the Apprenticeship Job Creation for the next three years to help cover costs for hiring .[3][4]
If reelected, a Liberal government would permanently remove interest on the federal portion of Canada Student and Canada Apprentice , and would increase the timeline for repayment of the loan for borrowers who are single until they make at least $50,000 each year.[1][2]
If elected, an NDP government would remove interest (borrowing charges) on all federal student , and cancel the repayment of up to $20,000 of student debt owed by graduates. An NDP government would also double the Canada Students Grant.[5][6]
The Bloc Québécois demands that Ottawa contribute to coaching, training, and networking intended for women entrepreneurs, to promote equality between men and women in Quebec.[9]
If elected, a Green government would forgive all student debt owed to the federal government.[7][8]
Energy and Climate Change
Canada has a large and diverse energy supply which includes oil and gas, coal, hydropower, biomass, solar, geothermal, wind, marine and nuclear power. About 82% of Canada’s greenhouse gas emissions come from energy production and consumption. In addition to powering homes and businesses within Canada, energy exports are an important part of the economy. In 2019, Canada exported $134.3 billion of energy products to 141 countries.
A Liberal government would work to reduce by 40-45% below 2005 levels by 2030 and would aim to reach no later than 2050. A Liberal government would also set five-year for emissions reductions from the oil and gas industry and require oil and gas companies to reduce their by 75% below 2012 levels by 2030.[1][2]
If elected, a Conservative government would remove the for individuals and replace it with a new Personal Low Carbon Savings Account. This would mean that every time someone purchases fuel, they would pay an additional cost into a personal savings account. That cost would begin at $20/tonne, and would increase to $50/tonne at a later date. The money in the savings account could only be used to help pay for things to reduce their , like public transit passes, , or green home renovations.[10][11][12][13][14]
The Bloc Québécois wants to adjust the to add reduction goals that the Canadian government has set for itself.[9]
If elected, a Green government would aim to reduce by 60% from 2005 levels by 2030. To get here, a Green government would introduce clear and timelines for reductions, starting in 2023.[7][8]
If elected, an NDP government would set a target to reduce by at least 50% from 2005 levels by 2030. To get there, an NDP government would create a Climate Accountability Office, which would provide independent oversight of the federal government’s progress on responding to climate change, and recommend further actions. It would make sure the government’s financial controls and decisions, like who the money to, are aligned with a goal of .[5][6]
Environment
Federal and provincial governments regulate the activities of industry, government and trading partners in order to minimize impacts on the environment and human health. The federal government also enters into agreements and partnerships at the international level to protect the environment. In 2021, the federal government set a new target of reducing Canada’s emissions by 40 to 45% below 2005 levels by the year 2030 and passed the Canadian Net-Zero Emissions Accountability Act which aims to achieve net-zero emissions by or before 2050. A net-zero economy would either emit no greenhouse gas emissions, or offset any emissions created through other actions, such as planting trees.
A Conservative government would the of plastic waste to foreign countries.[15][16][17]
If elected, an NDP government would introduce an Environmental Bill of Rights to legally protect the rights of Canadians to a healthy environment.[5][6]
If reelected, a Liberal government would recognize the right to a healthy environment in law.[1][2]
If elected, a Green government would ensure the right to a healthy environment is enforceable under law.[7][8]
The Bloc Québécois would like the federal government to establish strict environmental criteria for who can receive public contracts.[9]
Healthcare
Provincial and territorial governments are responsible for providing health care to their residents. To support them, the federal government provides funding through the Canada Health Transfer. In 2021-22 the provinces and territories will receive $43.1 billion in health funding. While this amount is set to increase in future years, provincial and territorial premiers would like to see more funds promised to help pay for increasing healthcare costs.
If elected, a Conservative government would prioritize signing contracts for COVID booster shots with pharmaceutical companies, and support the provinces in delivering them.[3][4]
If reelected, a Liberal government would $6 billion more to help eliminate wait-lists in the health system. A Liberal government would also give $3.2 billion to the provinces and territories for them to hire 7,500 family doctors, nurses, and nurse practitioners.[1][2]
If elected, an NDP government would work with the provinces and territories to improve access to , and reduce wait times for treatments or surgeries. This would include creating and funding a platform for doing virtual healthcare, and making a plan to recruit and maintain doctors, nurses, and other healthcare professionals.[5][6]
The Bloc Québécois maintains that the federal government must, without conditions, increase financial health transfers to cover up to 35% of care-related costs.[9]
A Green government would order a to look into the pandemic response between all levels of government and investigate what went well and what could have been done better.[7][8]
Housing and Affordability
In March 2021 prices in the Canadian housing market reached record highs, especially across BC and Ontario. Constructing more affordable housing units, strengthening regulation of housing prices, and providing financial incentives to help new home-buyers are some of the solutions proposed to address the issue. As Canadians face rising rent and housing prices, other costs are also on the rise. Canadians are paying more for groceries as the food supply chain is affected by the pandemic and environmental events such as wildfires.
The Bloc Québécois proposes that Ottawa gradually in social, community-based, and truly affordable housing until it reaches 1% of its annual revenue totals, to ensure consistent and predictable funding.[9]
If elected, an NDP government would create 500,000 new affordable housing units within ten years, with half ready within five years. An NDP government would set up new fast-start funds to get quick funding to communities looking to build affordable housing, and would waive GST or the federal portion of HST on the construction of affordable rental units.[5][6]
If reelected, a Liberal government would commit $600 million to help convert empty office and retail spaces into housing. This would include both buildings owned by private businesses, and buildings the federal government owns.[18][19]
A Green government would declare housing affordability and homelessness a national emergency.[7][8]
If elected, a Conservative government would release at least 15% of the federal government’s real estate properties (which includes over 37,000 buildings) for use as housing.[3][4]
Immigration
Every year hundreds of thousands of new people call Canada home. The 2021-2023 Immigration Levels Plan sets out targets for new permanent residents able to enter Canada. Under the plan, Canada aims to welcome more than 400,000 immigrants each year. These numbers are higher than usual, as the COVID-19 pandemic meant that much fewer immigrants came to the country in 2020.
The Bloc Québécois plans to propose several measures to reduce delays in processing applications for permanent residency and immigration applications. The party also demands that control of the Temporary Foreign Worker Program be transferred to Quebec.[9]
If elected, an NDP government would remove caps on the number of applications that can be submitted to sponsor parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens to immigrate to Canada.[5][6]
If elected, a Green government would end the , which requires that must request protection in the first safe country they arrive in.[20][21]
If reelected, a Liberal government would work with and communities to bring 2,000 skilled refugees to Canada to fill labour shortages in sectors like healthcare.[1][2]
If elected, a Conservative government would allow those waiting for their immigration applications to be reviewed to pay a fee for faster processing. Revenue collected from those fees would go to hiring more staff to process applications.[3][4]
Indigenous Relations
Indigenous peoples have inhabited the land that is now called Canada for thousands of years before Confederation and have unique rights that are recognized and affirmed in the Constitution. Despite these rights, for over a century the Canadian government took actions to try to eliminate Indigenous governance systems and traditional ways of life. Indigenous children were removed from their homes and families and sent away to residential schools where many were abused. While the federal government has formally apologized to residential school survivors and set up the Truth and Reconciliation Commission to lead a process of healing, the effects of Canada’s Indigenous policies have had lasting impacts that remain today, such as lower outcomes in education, income, and health than the non-Indigenous population.
If reelected, a Liberal government would build a national in Ottawa to honour the survivors and victims of .[1][2]
If elected, an NDP government would work in partnership with Indigenous peoples to support Indigenous rights by putting in place the United Nation Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and each of the .[5][6]
A Green government would work with First Nations, the Métis Nation, and Inuit and their governing institutions on a nation-to-nation basis to create agreements, co-develop and co-design policy and programs that will benefit First Nations, Métis Nation, and Inuit.[7][8]
The Bloc Québécois wants to work with Indigenous nations to strengthen and protect their . The party also plans to make sure that the federal government implements the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples fully.[9]
If elected, a Conservative government would develop a plan to implement of the . A Conservative government would also build a in Ottawa to honour residential school survivors, and develop a set of resources for Canadians of all ages to learn about .[4][3]
International Relations
While for much of 2020 and 2021 the top priority has been limiting the spread of COVID within Canada, the pandemic, and other key issues (such as climate change) don’t always remain within political borders. Canada enters into agreements and partnerships with other countries internationally for trade purposes, to provide assistance, and to cooperate on solving global issues.
A Green government would sign and ratify the United Nations Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, a legally binding international agreement that aims to eliminate nuclear weapons globally.[7][8]
If elected, an NDP government would work towards global peace by supporting nuclear disarmament, recommitting to peacekeeping, and making sure Canadian-made weapons aren’t used in foreign conflicts or human rights abuses.[5][6]
If elected, a Conservative government would update to avoid products made with .[3][4]
If reelected, a Liberal government would increase the amount Canada spends on every year until 2030 to meet the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals. A Liberal government would provide new funding for girls’ and refugees’ education, and double its funding for women’s rights organizations at the local/community level.[1][2]
The Bloc Québécois proposes that Canada play a significant role at the World Health Organization (WHO) to implement a coordinated guidance for approving vaccines, mixed vaccinations, and quarantine procedures which takes pandemic developments in different countries and the emergence of variants into account.[9]
Justice and Society
The administration of justice in Canada is shared among federal, provincial and territorial governments and the judiciary. At the federal level, the Department of Justice is tasked with promoting respect for rights and freedoms, the law and the Constitution and ensuring that Canada is a just and law-abiding society with an accessible, efficient and fair system of justice. Despite this, some continue to experience discrimination based on factors such as gender, age, sexual orientation, religion, culture, ethnicity, or disability. When conflicts arise, whether between citizens or levels of governments, courts resolve disputes, and interpret and establish the law.
Within 100 days, a reelected Liberal government would reintroduce to , extending the to include people over 18 years old.[1][2]
If elected, a Conservative government would implement the on .[3][4]
The Bloc Québécois plans to introduce draft to political parties publicly.[9]
If elected, a Green government would remove and develop a model that would aim to decrease involvement in the criminal legal system, and instead focus on healing for all involved.[7][8]
If elected, an NDP government would immediately pass laws to .[5][6]
Pharmacare
Canada is the only country with universal health care that does not also offer universal pharmacare. Currently, most Canadians rely on their workplace health insurance plans to help pay for the prescription drugs they need. While provincial and territorial governments do have plans in place to help residents access prescription drugs, in most regions only certain groups, like the elderly or those with low incomes, are eligible for these public plans.
If elected, an NDP government would work with the provinces to put in place a national plan, with a $10 billion/year investment from the federal government.[5][6]
If elected, a Green government would expand Canada’s healthcare system to include national universal by 2022.[22][23]
Transportation and Transit
In a country as large as Canada, ensuring the smooth movement of people and goods is important. Transportation policy is also significant in discussions of climate change as after the oil and gas sector, transportation has historically been Canada's second largest contributor of greenhouse gas emissions.
An elected Green government would mandate and support a faster transition to in every transportation sector, from airline travel to passenger rail, and from freight to ferries.[7][8]
If elected, a Conservative government would make it a punishable criminal offence for protestors to block key facilities or public transportation systems, like railways.[3][4]
If elected, an NDP government would permanently double the Canada Community-Building , which provides stable funding to Canadian municipalities for building .[5][6]
The Bloc Québécois demands that any federal amounts for building be transferred, without conditions, to Quebec.[9]
If reelected, a Liberal government would commit to developing high-frequency rail. A Liberal government would continue the high-frequency rail project between Toronto and Quebec City, connecting Peterborough, Ottawa, Montreal and other urban centres, and would explore opportunities to extend it towards London and Windsor.[1][2]
Wildcard
The Government of Quebec, its National Assembly and the French Language Charter uphold French as the sole common and official language of Quebec. The Bloc Québécois wants to use all its resources to ensure that the federal Official Languages Act no longer applies to private businesses in Quebec.[9]
If elected, an NDP government would work with Canada Post to implement postal banking.[5][6]
A Green government would support humane and sustainable food systems, promote more plant-based eating and reduce consumption of animal-source foods as recommended in the Canada Food Guide.[7][8]
If reelected, a Liberal government would require owners of assault weapons to either sell the firearm to the government for destruction, or have it terminated for use at the government’s expense. A Liberal government would also set further restrictions on guns, and set aside at least $1 billion to support provinces or territories who decide to implement a on handguns.[1][2]
If elected, a Conservative government would hire 200 RCMP officers based in the Greater Toronto Area and the Lower Mainland (in B.C.) to combat gangs and the smuggling of guns and drugs. A Conservative government would also expand the Firearms Tracing and Enforcement database nationally.[3][4]