NDP REALITY CHECK: Convention resolutions, shining a light on what Conservatives really want for Canada

While Stephen Harper continues to confuse Canadians about what really happened with Mike Duffy, Pamela Wallin and Patrick Brazeau, Conservative party members are working to set the party’s policy agenda.

For a glimpse into the Canada Conservatives want to create, one has to look no further than convention policy resolutions. These include condemning “discrimination against girls through gender selection” (1-26-157 p. 34), supporting “a less progressive tax system” (2-23-027 p.60), and overhauling the CBC (1-16-205, 1-25-207, 1-28-203).

More resolutions to watch:

• Faith Based Discrimination: The Conservative Party supports the right of faith based organizations to refuse the use of their facilities to individuals or groups holding views which are contrary to the beliefs or standards of the faith based organization without fear of sanctions or harassment and that discrimination based on the beliefs of a faith based organization be excluded from the definition of disallowed discrimination under Human Rights. (1-13-152 p. 21)
• Privatizing the CBC: The federal Government undertake the preparation of an Action Plan for the re-organization and amalgamation of the numerous similar services of the CBC across Canada; the objective being the order by elimination of all public funding of the corporation which creates unfair competitive advantage with privately owned and operated networks and stations. (1-28-203 p. 36)
• Regressive Taxation: We encourage the Conservative Party to move to a less progressive tax system by reducing the number of personal income tax brackets. (2-23-027 p. 60)
• Privatization: We support the sale of public assets where feasible with the proceeds of the sales being used to pay down government debt. (2-18-019 p. 55)
• End of Supply Management: The Conservative Party believes in an orderly transition away from supply management. (3-11-225 p. 78)
• Overhauling Equalization Payments: The Conservative Party believes that equalisation payments to a province shall be based on both revenue and expenses, and only be used to provide equal services, not greater services, than the provinces not receiving equalization payments. (2-17-039 p. 54)
• No Gun Control: A Conservative Government recognizes the legitimacy of private ownership of firearms and will resist any domestic or international pressure to the contrary. (2-02-190, p.39)

Canadians deserve better.