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POSTED AT
7:43 PM EST
Tuesday, November 7
Transcript of Time for Change
A TIME FOR CHANGE
Editor's Note: The text of the Alliance "A Time for Change" follows.
Please note that the numbering is as it appears in the document and there
are some numbers missing. It has been broken into 10 parts:
The Platform Overview
Spending and Fair Tax Plan
Economy and Employment
Health
Justice and Democratic Reform
Family, Immigration and Aboriginal
Strong and United Canada
Agriculture and Environment
Natural Resources and Fisheries
Defence and Foreign Affairs
Platform Overview
We'll keep the best and fix the rest
Cut government waste
Reallocate spending to priority areas
We'll implement a Fair Tax Plan
$4,500 p.a. savings vs. today for average 1 income family of 4 -- 34% more
than Liberals' plan
Increase personal/ spousal deductions to $10,000
$3,000 per child deductions to recognize the value of parenting
97% of Canadians will pay tax at 17%
We'll fix annual debt payments in law
$6-billion a year guaranteed (double Liberal plan)
75% of surplus goes to debt repayment
We'll improve Canada's health system
Restore Chretien health care cuts faster than Liberals
Stable, long term funding guaranteed in law.
We'll return real justice to our justice system
ensure clear consequences for crime and compassion for victims
We'll make government more accountable
Free votes, citizens' initiatives, recall
Elected, Equal and Effective Senate
Parliamentary scrutiny of senior government appointments
EARLY ELECTION
Why has Chretien called an early election?
This will be the third federal election in seven years
Chretien loves to campaign, but hates to govern
The Prime Minister wants a hat-trick so he can secure a legacy like Sir
Wilfrid Laurier
The Liberals are afraid to wait in case Stockwell Day and the Canadian
Alliance keep gaining momentum.
If the Prime Minister waits, he might be pushed out by backbench Liberals
supporting Paul Martin.
This election is an inconvenience to Canadians at the start of the holiday
season and when many Canadians are going to the polls in municipal elections
(see below)
"Going Early" backfired on Ontario's David Peterson and it will back fire
on Jean Chretien.
By calling an early election, the following parliamentary bills will die:
long awaited amendments to the YOA; new financial services regulations;
and extension of veterans benefits.
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