The Liberal Party of Canada released its election platform April 3. It has lots of plans but leaves a lot of questions unanswered.
Here are some highlights:
- Cancel the procurement of F-35s and not replace the CF-18. "When it is necessary to buy new fighters, we’ll spend billions less than the Harper government would have. But the higher priorities will be investments in middle-class families, and building a stronger economy for the future." So, would the Liberals ever find it necessary to replace a CF-18? If their record on the Sea King is any indication, no.
- No specifics on prisons, but lots of complaints about Conservative plans to build more prisons. On a table on page 5, it lists a table of "Conservative priorities" which include "U.S. style mega-prisons." The Liberals list "Secure Retirement Option, to help Canadians save." It was not clear whether they would provide a tax break for extra locks on people's doors or whether any new prison space would be built.
- They would change the Investment Canada Act but did not say how. “A Liberal government will strengthen the Investment Canada Act to make foreign investment reviews more transparent, clarify how “net benefit” is assessed, recognize the importance of Canadian headquarters and management control, and articulate when an asset can be considered of particular “strategic” value to Canada.”
- More restrictions on stock options. "A Liberal government will cap the amount that can be claimed through the stock option deduction at $50,000 annually."
- "Cancel the Harper government’s Public Private Partnership Infrastructure Fund.”
- “Cancel immediately the Accelerated Capital Cost Allowance for oil sands investment.”
- Spend money gained from the wireless spectrum auction on broadband. "A Liberal government will publicly tender contracts for private companies to install broadband capacity for the hundreds of thousands of Canadians in rural, remote or northern areas who do not currently have access."
- The Liberals mention roads and railways. Page 17 lists high-speed rail, municipal infrastructure, commuter trains and major roads. There is not much in the way of specifics.
