Conservative majority, NDP as official Opposition, Liberals, Bloc and Green shut out
The current federal government structure was established by the 1867 Constitution Act. Federal elections elect members to seats in the House of Commons, the lower half of Canada’s federal governing body, the Parliament of Canada.
The current dominant parties in Canada are the Conservative, Liberal, NDP, and Bloc Quebecois parties, with the Green and other independent parties waiting for their chance at seats in the House.
Conservative Party of Canada
Federal Representative: Prime Minister Stephen Harper
Ontario, Provincial Leaders: John Tory, Bob Runciman, Tim Hudak (Ministers)
Key Platform Points:
- Year 2 of Economic Action Plan to assist with recession recovery
- Pay down debts first (debt-to-GDP ratio down to under 20%)
- Reduced taxes and reduced government intervention in economy
- Create jobs and protect jobs
- Build infrastructure to create jobs
Liberal Party of Canada
Federal Representative: Leader Michael Ignatieff
Ontario, Provincial Representative: Premier Dalton McGuinty
Key Platform Points:
- A family care plan to enhance care for parents, grandparents and sick loved ones
- A stronger public pension plan to help families save for retirement;
- A Pan-Canadian learning strategy to invest in improvements in childhood education, Aboriginal education, distance learning, workforce literacy, language training and skills training
- Environment and clean energy plan
- Global networks strategy with China and India to collaborate in research and education
- Rural strategy to boost rural communities with better access
- A national food policy to promote healthy, safe and sustainable eating
National Democratic Party of Canada
Federal Representative: Jack Layton, MP
Ontario, Provincial Representative: Andrea Horwath, MP
Key Platform Points:
- Creating jobs for a green economy
- Supporting strategic sectors such as automobile, aerospace, and shipbuilding industries
- Emphasize “Buy in Canada” and “Made in Canada” consumerism
- Investments in fair transition programs in industries where layoffs occur
- Ban raw log exports to protect Canadian jobs
- Low interest rate policy that creates jobs and reduces debt
- Keeping agriculture and fisheries sustainable and available for Canadian jobs
- Protecting worker’s rights, unions, equal treatment, safety and training
- Restricting abusive lending practices
Bloc Quebecois
Federal Representative: Gilles Duceppe, MP
Key Platform Points:
- To promote Quebec to the nation via enhancements of local economy, industry and markets
- Primacy of French language in Ottawa
- Affordable day care, parental leave program, affordable tuition
- Reducing dependence on oil
- Tax credits for graduates who return to work in the Quebec area
