Blake Richards

Liberalize supply management

The other end of this axis: Defend supply management

Repeats opposition to the Wheat Board monopoly and support for farmers marketing their own products.

Farmers are some of the most industrious and innovative people in this country, but they are being hampered severely by the inability to market their own products because of the monopoly of the Canadian Wheat Board. They are demanding the ability to choose whether to market their products through the Wheat Board or to market for themselves in the world market.

Slower phase-down, production first

The other end of this axis: Faster fossil phase-down

Criticizes disproportionate action on emissions while protecting the economy and energy sector.

In the NDP, we have an opposition that seems set on having Canada, which produces just 2% of the world's greenhouse gas emissions, to shoulder a disproportionate share of the load, while China and the United States, which together represent more than 40% of the world's output of greenhouse gases, are not even on board. Pushing for an arrangement that does not even include the world's largest emitters will accomplish nothing except to disadvantage the Canadian economy in comparison to those countries.

Higher spending and more capability

The other end of this axis: Restrain spending and deployments

Supports military personnel, veterans, and continued combat missions against ISIS.

Therefore, why are the Liberals ignoring the good work of our air force and thumbing their noses at the will of the Canadian people and, indeed, at our allies? The brave men and women of the Canadian Armed Forces have a history of always being proud to do the heavy lifting on the world stage to protect the freedoms that we hold dear. This now includes degrading and defeating ISIS, a terrorist group that is committing mass atrocities, inspiring terror attacks around the world, and has declared war on Canada and its allies.

Expand production and export

The other end of this axis: Restrict new oil and gas

Defends pipelines and energy sector role in economy; opposes measures that land-lock Alberta oil.

On that note, this would be a good opportunity to highlight the important role the energy sector is playing in our country's economic future. Our government's top priority continues to be supporting jobs and growth and sustaining Canada's economy.

Provinces lead

The other end of this axis: Ottawa leads

Argues that municipal priorities should determine projects rather than higher levels of government.

So it's not the federal government, or in this case, the provincial government, and certainly not the federal NDP, trying to determine this for Cochrane, Alberta, Penticton, B.C., Winnipeg, Manitoba, or Saint-Lazare, Quebec, for example. You're not having a higher level of government trying to determine the priorities of various municipalities.

Lower taxes and tighter spending

The other end of this axis: Higher taxes and public spending

Repeats commitment to tax cuts, balancing the budget without raising taxes, and fiscal restraint.

Under our Conservative government, the only way taxes will ever go is down.

Market supply and deregulation

The other end of this axis: Public supply and demand controls

Supports tax credits for home buyers and renovation to stimulate market activity.

Our government is also stimulating housing construction through such measures as increasing the amount Canadians can withdraw from their RRSPs under the first-time home buyers' plan to provide a down payment for their new homes. We are also providing a tax credit to assist first-time home buyers with the costs associated with their home purchases and a renovation tax credit that will assist Canadians in undertaking renovations and improvements to their homes.

Lower intake

The other end of this axis: Higher permanent intake

Repeats calls to crack down on bogus claims and protect the system from abuse.

Unfortunately, for far too long, our immigration system has been open to abuse by those who do not want to follow the rules, or do not want to wait in line like everyone else, but would rather use the asylum system as a back door to jump the queue. This abuse undermines Canadians' faith in our immigration system.

More flexibility for employers

The other end of this axis: Stronger unions and standards

Criticizes unions and supports connecting workers to jobs over union priorities.

Our Conservative government represents the interests of families, workers and seniors. Our government received a strong mandate to advance the interests of hard-working Canadians from coast to coast to coast, unlike the NDP that prefers to listen to special interest groups and big unions.

Enforcement and sentencing

The other end of this axis: Prevention and restraint

Repeats support for getting tough on crime and abolishing the long gun registry.

Our government will take tough action against crime so that justice is served quickly and Canadians can feel safe in their homes and communities. Serious offences will meet with serious penalties.

Deeper continental integration

The other end of this axis: Diversify away from one partner

Supports stronger border security to facilitate trade with the United States.

I would certainly hope that with our government's focus on improving border security through such measures as arming our border guards, taking different initiatives to fight drug smuggling and other smuggling across our border, and taking other measures to enhance border security, we can sell those measures and make sure that the United States is well aware of those measures. I'm sure we are, and hopefully those kinds of initiatives on the part of our government will help the United States recognize that our border isn't as big an issue as they believe it is.