Our policies and election platform are founded on the six principles of our party and the Global Greens Charter.
In Vision Green we outline where we stand so that Canadians can see we are focused on the environment and the economy. Vision Green presents leading-edge thinking and rational, realistic solutions for all the issues facing Canadians.
Green Party solutions are rational because the Green Party, unlike other parties, understands the scientifically verified limits to growth set by the carrying capacity of our planet. We must work within these limits. Otherwise, we will exhaust resources, degrade our environment and put our economy, health and children’s future at risk.
Our solutions are realistic because they follow “best practices” already in place in parts of Canada or other countries. These practices are cost-effective, deliver results and benefit people, the economy and the environment.
We believe in sound fiscal management and strengthening our economy while ensuring that it is sustainable.
Aboriginal People
Our shift in attitude will mean true nation-to-nation dialogue and negotiations. It will mean a just accommodation of aboriginal peoples’ aspirations and an equitable sharing of Canada’s natural resources. It will mean full recognition of the cultural, political and economic contributions of First Nations, the Inuit, Innu and Métis people to Canada and an end to the prejudice.
Agriculture
The health of Canada’s population today and in the future depends on the environmentally sustainable production of wholesome food. We must restructure our agricultural markets to sustain farming and provide farm families with a fair share of the consumer food dollar. We want to expand local small-scale agriculture and support a rapid transition to organic agriculture rather than subsidizing costly agro-chemicals, industrial food production and genetically modified crops.
Climate Change
The Green Party will achieve actual reductions in Canada’s greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) through in green tax shifting. We will reduce income taxes and payroll taxes by shifting to pollution-based taxation. A carbon tax is a critical step to getting the prices right, but a Green Government will not rely solely on tax-shifting. We will remove subsidies from the fossil fuel industry, cap extraction levels of coal, oil and gas, and instead offer significant tax incentives and support for energy conservation and renewable energy development
Eco-Tourism
The Green Party believes that we must foster a Green, low-carbon tourism industry and market it responsibly throughout the world. We believe that we must provide exceptional tourist experiences by having the finest National Park system, the best museums and cultural events and the most hospitable service. To do this we as a government will coordinate and guide efforts across the entire country.
Forestry
Two-thirds of Canada’s plant and animal species live in forests. Large expanses of forest must remain intact to maintain natural habitats and biodiversity. Forests also sustain subsistence hunters and those who seek recreation in the wilderness. Canada cuts about one million hectares of forest a year. We must improve our logging practices and become a world leader in sustainable management of this renewable resource. We must extract more economic value from every tree cut and move quickly towards eliminating raw log exports. Green Party MPs will work to renegotiate trade agreements to encourage more domestic value-added manufacturing by restricting the export of raw logs with a substantial whole log export tax.
Mining
The Green Party believes that triple bottom line analysis, measuring social, environmental and economic costs and benefits, must be conducted before approval is given for a mine. We should not be mining products in Canada, like asbestos and uranium that are highly toxic to our environment and to human health. The Green Party will require mine reclamation plans to include detailed plans to deal with acid mine draining and are in place before active mining begins. The Green Party will also provide tax benefits to reward full recycling of metals.
Poverty
The Green Party of Canada believes it is time to begin important dialogue on a major policy initiative — the use of a negative income tax, or Guaranteed Livable Income (GLI) for all. The use of a GLI could eliminate poverty and allow social services to concentrate on problems of mental health and addiction. The essential plan is to provide a regular annual payment to every Canadian. The level of the payment will be regionally set at a level above poverty, but at a level to encourage additional income generation. The Green Party believes it is time to advance bold and controversial ideas, such as this. Nevertheless, it needs time for study, reflection and greater support from all three levels of government. We are committed to opening dialogue on the idea, while pursuing measures to make progress in the near term.
Transportation
Canada needs effective east-west links in communications, in energy delivery and in transportation. Green Party MP’s will re-establish Canada’s National Dream and re-invest in our national rail systems, building more train cars in Canada, and create green transportation and energy infrastructure corridors in key regions.
Great blog!