Decision Maker
Justin Trudeau
- Prime Minister of Canada/Premier ministre du Canada
Decision Maker
Justin Trudeau
- Prime Minister of Canada/Premier ministre du Canada
The Conservatives’ sudden closure of the Kitsilano search and rescue station – despite widespread opposition from the Premier of British Columbia, the Mayor of Vancouver, many local safety experts, and the public – is appalling and completely disregards the safety and lives of Metro Vancouver’s marine community. The Kitsilano station is the focal point for safety, both on the waters of British Columbia’s lower mainland and at Canada’s busiest marine port, Vancouver Harbour, which reports over 350 incidents a year. By moving search and rescue responders 17 nautical miles away to Richmond, the Conservatives are forcing longer emergency response times with potentially dangerous consequences. We cannot wait for disaster to strike before acknowledging its grave error and the serious need for highly skilled search and rescue responders at the Kitsilano station. That is why Liberals have been clear: we will re-open a full service Coast Guard station in Vancouver, and reinvest in marine safety and oil spill response capacity on the BC coast. The Liberal Party of Canada is emphatically opposed to the Kitsilano Coast Guard closure and will continue to fight for the safety and security of our coastal communities.
The Conservatives’ sudden closure of the Kitsilano search and rescue station – despite widespread opposition from the Premier of British Columbia, the Mayor of Vancouver, many local safety experts, and the public – is appalling and completely disregards the safety and lives of Metro Vancouver’s marine community. The Kitsilano station is the focal point for safety, both on the waters of British Columbia’s lower mainland and at Canada’s busiest marine port, Vancouver Harbour, which reports over 350 incidents a year. By moving search and rescue responders 17 nautical miles away to Richmond, the Conservatives are forcing longer emergency response times with potentially dangerous consequences. We cannot wait for disaster to strike before acknowledging its grave error and the serious need for highly skilled search and rescue responders at the Kitsilano station. That is why Liberals have been clear: we will re-open a full service Coast Guard station in Vancouver, and reinvest in marine safety and oil spill response capacity on the BC coast. The Liberal Party of Canada is emphatically opposed to the Kitsilano Coast Guard closure and will continue to fight for the safety and security of our coastal communities.
The devastating humanitarian crisis in Syria and Iraq has rightly broken the hearts of Canadians across the country, and international society at large. In Canada, municipal and provincial leaders have already taken concrete action, as have many Canadians in a private capacity. It is time for federal leaders to step up, expand current refugee targets, and do more to alleviate the suffering of the Syrian refugees who are so desperately seeking safety. We must put partisanship aside in addressing this crisis. Justin Trudeau has proposed a meeting with Stephen Harper, Thomas Mulcair, and Elizabeth May – in order to sit down in collaboration to discuss the best course of action for Canada going forward. Unfortunately, neither Harper nor Mulcair showed any interest. If elected, a Liberal government will expand Canada’s intake of refugees from Syria by 25,000 – by January 1, 2016 – through immediate, direct sponsorship by the Government of Canada. The Liberal plan is ambitious, yet attainable, and will do more to help more Syrian refugees than either Mr. Harper or Mr. Mulcair’s plan. A Liberal government will also invest at least $100 million this fiscal year to increase – without reducing standards – refugee processing, as well as sponsorship and settlement services capacity in Canada. Finally, we will immediately contribute $100 million to the United Nations High Commission for Refugees, to support critical relief activities in Syria and the surrounding region. Canadians know that our country can – and must – do more to offer safe haven to the men, women, and children who are currently fleeing persecution in Syria and Iraq.
The devastating humanitarian crisis in Syria and Iraq has rightly broken the hearts of Canadians across the country, and international society at large. In Canada, municipal and provincial leaders have already taken concrete action, as have many Canadians in a private capacity. It is time for federal leaders to step up, expand current refugee targets, and do more to alleviate the suffering of the Syrian refugees who are so desperately seeking safety. We must put partisanship aside in addressing this crisis. Justin Trudeau has proposed a meeting with Stephen Harper, Thomas Mulcair, and Elizabeth May – in order to sit down in collaboration to discuss the best course of action for Canada going forward. Unfortunately, neither Harper nor Mulcair showed any interest. If elected, a Liberal government will expand Canada’s intake of refugees from Syria by 25,000 – by January 1, 2016 – through immediate, direct sponsorship by the Government of Canada. The Liberal plan is ambitious, yet attainable, and will do more to help more Syrian refugees than either Mr. Harper or Mr. Mulcair’s plan. A Liberal government will also invest at least $100 million this fiscal year to increase – without reducing standards – refugee processing, as well as sponsorship and settlement services capacity in Canada. Finally, we will immediately contribute $100 million to the United Nations High Commission for Refugees, to support critical relief activities in Syria and the surrounding region. Canadians know that our country can – and must – do more to offer safe haven to the men, women, and children who are currently fleeing persecution in Syria and Iraq.
The disappearance and death of nearly 1,200 Indigenous women and girls, including those from the Highway of Tears, is an ongoing national tragedy that must come to an end. Despite repeated appeals from the families of victims, provincial governments, Indigenous communities, and international organizations, the Prime Minister has repeatedly refused to call a public inquiry. Mr. Harper is on the wrong side of history. This issue requires national leadership and action to put an end to this violence. A Liberal government will immediately launch a national public inquiry into missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls in Canada, to seek recommendations on concrete actions that governments, law enforcement, and others can take to solve these crimes and prevent future ones. Working together with experts and advocates, we will develop and implement a comprehensive federal gender violence strategy and action plan. We will give more support to survivors of sexual assault and ensure that more perpetrators are brought to justice. We will also review current gender and culturally sensitive training policies for federal front-line law enforcement officers to ensure that they are strong, effective, and able to encourage more survivors to report incidents to police.
The disappearance and death of nearly 1,200 Indigenous women and girls, including those from the Highway of Tears, is an ongoing national tragedy that must come to an end. Despite repeated appeals from the families of victims, provincial governments, Indigenous communities, and international organizations, the Prime Minister has repeatedly refused to call a public inquiry. Mr. Harper is on the wrong side of history. This issue requires national leadership and action to put an end to this violence. A Liberal government will immediately launch a national public inquiry into missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls in Canada, to seek recommendations on concrete actions that governments, law enforcement, and others can take to solve these crimes and prevent future ones. Working together with experts and advocates, we will develop and implement a comprehensive federal gender violence strategy and action plan. We will give more support to survivors of sexual assault and ensure that more perpetrators are brought to justice. We will also review current gender and culturally sensitive training policies for federal front-line law enforcement officers to ensure that they are strong, effective, and able to encourage more survivors to report incidents to police.
Liberals understand that solitary confinement has serious psychological effects on inmates, who will be returned not just to the general prison population – but to society – at some point. The Conservatives’ “tough on crime” agenda is focused on punitive measures and ideological posturing rather than measures to keep Canadians safe. While solitary confinement is supposed to be used as a last resort, former Liberal Member of Parliament and Justice Minister, Irwin Cotler, obtained figures from the government that indicate that over 20 percent of prisoners spend time in solitary. Moreover, correctional investigator Howard Sapers has found that solitary confinement is now “a default population management strategy.” Disturbingly, the Conservative government has relied on stigma, myths, and stereotypes to develop legislation that is unlikely to have a significant impact on crime. The Liberal Party is committed to addressing mental health issues by working with victims’ advocates, provincial governments, and members of the legal and mental health communities to further modernize our system. Whether this comes through investments in early detection or the support of mental health courts, progress can be made that actually helps prevent such crimes from occurring in the first place. A Liberal government will focus on protecting Canadians and making our communities safer by pursuing evidence-based policies that reduce crime and prevent re-offending, such as rehabilitative programs that are proven to limit repeat offences.
Liberals understand that solitary confinement has serious psychological effects on inmates, who will be returned not just to the general prison population – but to society – at some point. The Conservatives’ “tough on crime” agenda is focused on punitive measures and ideological posturing rather than measures to keep Canadians safe. While solitary confinement is supposed to be used as a last resort, former Liberal Member of Parliament and Justice Minister, Irwin Cotler, obtained figures from the government that indicate that over 20 percent of prisoners spend time in solitary. Moreover, correctional investigator Howard Sapers has found that solitary confinement is now “a default population management strategy.” Disturbingly, the Conservative government has relied on stigma, myths, and stereotypes to develop legislation that is unlikely to have a significant impact on crime. The Liberal Party is committed to addressing mental health issues by working with victims’ advocates, provincial governments, and members of the legal and mental health communities to further modernize our system. Whether this comes through investments in early detection or the support of mental health courts, progress can be made that actually helps prevent such crimes from occurring in the first place. A Liberal government will focus on protecting Canadians and making our communities safer by pursuing evidence-based policies that reduce crime and prevent re-offending, such as rehabilitative programs that are proven to limit repeat offences.
Canada’s current system of marijuana prohibition does not work. It does not prevent young people from using marijuana, and too many Canadians end up with criminal records for possessing small amounts of the drug. To ensure that we keep marijuana out of the hands of children, and the profits out of the hands of criminals, the Liberal Party of Canada will legalize, regulate, and restrict access to marijuana. We will remove marijuana consumption and incidental possession from the Criminal Code, and create new, stronger laws to punish more severely those who provide it to minors, those who operate a motor vehicle while under its influence, and those who sell it outside of the new regulatory framework. We will also create a federal/provincial/territorial task force, and with input from experts in public health, substance abuse, and law enforcement, will design a new system of strict marijuana sales and distribution, with appropriate federal and provincial excise taxes applied. The NDP’s decriminalization-only program will keep production and distribution in the hands of gangs, will do nothing to keep it out of the hands of children or protect Canadians’ public safety concerns, and will allows gangs to collect the proceeds. A Liberal government will act responsibly and swiftly on this issue. You can find more information here: http://www.liberal.ca/realchange/marijuana/
Canada’s current system of marijuana prohibition does not work. It does not prevent young people from using marijuana, and too many Canadians end up with criminal records for possessing small amounts of the drug. To ensure that we keep marijuana out of the hands of children, and the profits out of the hands of criminals, the Liberal Party of Canada will legalize, regulate, and restrict access to marijuana. We will remove marijuana consumption and incidental possession from the Criminal Code, and create new, stronger laws to punish more severely those who provide it to minors, those who operate a motor vehicle while under its influence, and those who sell it outside of the new regulatory framework. We will also create a federal/provincial/territorial task force, and with input from experts in public health, substance abuse, and law enforcement, will design a new system of strict marijuana sales and distribution, with appropriate federal and provincial excise taxes applied. The NDP’s decriminalization-only program will keep production and distribution in the hands of gangs, will do nothing to keep it out of the hands of children or protect Canadians’ public safety concerns, and will allows gangs to collect the proceeds. A Liberal government will act responsibly and swiftly on this issue. You can find more information here: http://www.liberal.ca/realchange/marijuana/
By ending door-to-door mail delivery, Stephen Harper is asking Canadians to pay more money for less service. That is unacceptable and the Liberal Party of Canada strongly disagrees with Harper’s decision. A Liberal government will stop Harper’s plan to end door-to-door mail delivery in Canada, and undertake a new review of Canada Post to make sure that it provides high quality service at a reasonable price to Canadians, no matter where they live. A Liberal government will act responsibly and swiftly on this issue. You can find more information here: http://www.liberal.ca/realchange/canada-post/
By ending door-to-door mail delivery, Stephen Harper is asking Canadians to pay more money for less service. That is unacceptable and the Liberal Party of Canada strongly disagrees with Harper’s decision. A Liberal government will stop Harper’s plan to end door-to-door mail delivery in Canada, and undertake a new review of Canada Post to make sure that it provides high quality service at a reasonable price to Canadians, no matter where they live. A Liberal government will act responsibly and swiftly on this issue. You can find more information here: http://www.liberal.ca/realchange/canada-post/
Je suis heureux d’avoir accepté de participer à « Place au débat », et j’ai hâte d’y prendre part. J’espère que Stephen Harper et Thomas Mulcair confirmeront eux aussi leur participation à cette initiative importante. Il est crucial de veiller à ce que les intérêts des femmes soient mis en avant lors de cette campagne électorale. En tant que père, je tiens à savoir que ma fille aura les mêmes opportunités que mes garçons, recevra un salaire égal pour un travail égal et pourra prendre ses propres décisions relativement à son corps. Je tiens à savoir qu’elle aura autant d’occasions de prendre part à notre économie et au processus décisionnel que ses collègues masculins, et qu’elle bénéficiera du même respect et des mêmes droits. Les défis auxquels les femmes font face sont notre affaire à tous et, à ce titre, nous avons tous un intérêt manifeste à obtenir l’égalité pleine et entière pour les femmes dans tous les aspects de la société. Nous savons que la pleine participation des femmes au marché du travail est cruciale pour notre croissance économique. Selon Recherche économique RBC, l’augmentation du nombre de travailleuses au cours des trois dernières décennies a résulté en une contribution de l’ordre de 130 milliards de dollars à l’activité économique. Nous devons mener des débats de fond sur des questions comme le renforcement de la participation des femmes dans l’économie, les services de garde, la violence domestique, la santé et l’environnement, ainsi que l’équité salariale, entre autres choses. En ma qualité de législateur et chef du Parti libéral du Canada, je suis résolument engagé envers l’évolution des politiques qui feront du Canada un pays plus équitable pour les deux sexes. Je suis fier que notre parti ait fermement soutenu le droit des femmes au libre choix. Nous voulons que les Canadiennes et les Canadiens sachent qu’en votant pour les libéraux, ils éliront un représentant qui soutiendra et défendra les droits des femmes. De même, je suis fier d’avoir annoncé qu’un gouvernement libéral veillera à ce qu’un nombre égal de femmes et d’hommes accèdent au cabinet et au processus de nomination du gouvernement fédéral, et que nous intégrerons concrètement l’analyse comparative entre les sexes dans le processus décisionnel du cabinet et des ministères fédéraux. En outre, un gouvernement libéral prendra des mesures constructives pour lutter contre la violence faite aux femmes, y compris en lançant une enquête immédiate sur les femmes et les filles autochtones portées disparues et assassinées. Je suis fermement convaincu que notre société fonctionne le mieux quand les femmes sont à l’avant-plan, réussissant dans tous les aspects de l’économie et de la vie publique. Cela signifie également que nous devons trouver des moyens d’éliminer les obstacles qui entravent encore la pleine participation des femmes dans la société, que ce soit ici ou à l’étranger.
Je suis heureux d’avoir accepté de participer à « Place au débat », et j’ai hâte d’y prendre part. J’espère que Stephen Harper et Thomas Mulcair confirmeront eux aussi leur participation à cette initiative importante. Il est crucial de veiller à ce que les intérêts des femmes soient mis en avant lors de cette campagne électorale. En tant que père, je tiens à savoir que ma fille aura les mêmes opportunités que mes garçons, recevra un salaire égal pour un travail égal et pourra prendre ses propres décisions relativement à son corps. Je tiens à savoir qu’elle aura autant d’occasions de prendre part à notre économie et au processus décisionnel que ses collègues masculins, et qu’elle bénéficiera du même respect et des mêmes droits. Les défis auxquels les femmes font face sont notre affaire à tous et, à ce titre, nous avons tous un intérêt manifeste à obtenir l’égalité pleine et entière pour les femmes dans tous les aspects de la société. Nous savons que la pleine participation des femmes au marché du travail est cruciale pour notre croissance économique. Selon Recherche économique RBC, l’augmentation du nombre de travailleuses au cours des trois dernières décennies a résulté en une contribution de l’ordre de 130 milliards de dollars à l’activité économique. Nous devons mener des débats de fond sur des questions comme le renforcement de la participation des femmes dans l’économie, les services de garde, la violence domestique, la santé et l’environnement, ainsi que l’équité salariale, entre autres choses. En ma qualité de législateur et chef du Parti libéral du Canada, je suis résolument engagé envers l’évolution des politiques qui feront du Canada un pays plus équitable pour les deux sexes. Je suis fier que notre parti ait fermement soutenu le droit des femmes au libre choix. Nous voulons que les Canadiennes et les Canadiens sachent qu’en votant pour les libéraux, ils éliront un représentant qui soutiendra et défendra les droits des femmes. De même, je suis fier d’avoir annoncé qu’un gouvernement libéral veillera à ce qu’un nombre égal de femmes et d’hommes accèdent au cabinet et au processus de nomination du gouvernement fédéral, et que nous intégrerons concrètement l’analyse comparative entre les sexes dans le processus décisionnel du cabinet et des ministères fédéraux. En outre, un gouvernement libéral prendra des mesures constructives pour lutter contre la violence faite aux femmes, y compris en lançant une enquête immédiate sur les femmes et les filles autochtones portées disparues et assassinées. Je suis fermement convaincu que notre société fonctionne le mieux quand les femmes sont à l’avant-plan, réussissant dans tous les aspects de l’économie et de la vie publique. Cela signifie également que nous devons trouver des moyens d’éliminer les obstacles qui entravent encore la pleine participation des femmes dans la société, que ce soit ici ou à l’étranger.
I am pleased to have accepted – and look forward to taking part in – “Up For Debate”, and I hope that Stephen Harper and Thomas Mulcair will confirm their participation in this important initiative as well. Ensuring that women’s interests are at the forefront of this election campaign is essential. As a father, I want to know that my daughter will have the same opportunities as my sons, receive equal pay for equal work, and be able to make decisions about her own body. I want to know that she will be just as likely to be involved in our economy and in the decision-making as her male counterparts, and that she will be afforded the same respect and rights. Women’s issues affect us all, and as such, we all have a vested interest in achieving full and substantive equality for women in all facets of society. We know that women’s full participation in the workforce is crucial to our economic growth. According to RBC Economics, the increase in female labour force participation over the past three decades has resulted in a $130 billion contribution to economic activity. We need to have substantive discussions about issues like increasing women’s participation in the economy, child care, domestic violence, health and the environment, and pay equity, among others. As a legislator and Leader of the Liberal Party of Canada, I am deeply committed to advancing policies that will make Canada a more gender-equitable country. I am proud that our party has taken a strong stance in support of women’s right to choose. We want Canadians to know that when they vote Liberal they will get a representative who supports and defends women’s rights. Equally, I am proud to have announced that a Liberal government will ensure an equal number of women and men in Cabinet and in the federal government’s appointment process, and that meaningful gender-based analysis will be a key part of the decision-making process in Cabinet and across federal departments. Furthermore, a Liberal government will take meaningful steps to address violence against women, including by launching an immediate inquiry into missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls. I fundamentally believe that our society works best when women are at the forefront – successful in all parts of the economy and public life. But this means we have to find ways to break down the barriers that still stand in the way of women’s full participation in society, both here at home and abroad.
I am pleased to have accepted – and look forward to taking part in – “Up For Debate”, and I hope that Stephen Harper and Thomas Mulcair will confirm their participation in this important initiative as well. Ensuring that women’s interests are at the forefront of this election campaign is essential. As a father, I want to know that my daughter will have the same opportunities as my sons, receive equal pay for equal work, and be able to make decisions about her own body. I want to know that she will be just as likely to be involved in our economy and in the decision-making as her male counterparts, and that she will be afforded the same respect and rights. Women’s issues affect us all, and as such, we all have a vested interest in achieving full and substantive equality for women in all facets of society. We know that women’s full participation in the workforce is crucial to our economic growth. According to RBC Economics, the increase in female labour force participation over the past three decades has resulted in a $130 billion contribution to economic activity. We need to have substantive discussions about issues like increasing women’s participation in the economy, child care, domestic violence, health and the environment, and pay equity, among others. As a legislator and Leader of the Liberal Party of Canada, I am deeply committed to advancing policies that will make Canada a more gender-equitable country. I am proud that our party has taken a strong stance in support of women’s right to choose. We want Canadians to know that when they vote Liberal they will get a representative who supports and defends women’s rights. Equally, I am proud to have announced that a Liberal government will ensure an equal number of women and men in Cabinet and in the federal government’s appointment process, and that meaningful gender-based analysis will be a key part of the decision-making process in Cabinet and across federal departments. Furthermore, a Liberal government will take meaningful steps to address violence against women, including by launching an immediate inquiry into missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls. I fundamentally believe that our society works best when women are at the forefront – successful in all parts of the economy and public life. But this means we have to find ways to break down the barriers that still stand in the way of women’s full participation in society, both here at home and abroad.