David McGuinty

Defend supply management

The other end of this axis: Liberalize supply management

explicitly supports protecting Canadian agricultural supply management systems as currently constituted

Specifically, Canadian agricultural supply management and what are called “buy Canada” government procurement programs would be explicitly protected. That is important from a supply management perspective. It is also important, in my view, from an environmental perspective.

Faster fossil phase-down

The other end of this axis: Slower phase-down, production first

Repeated support for Kyoto commitments and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

The motion that enjoyed the support of the three opposition parties recognized that human activities are largely responsible for the disruptions affecting the climate, and demanded that the government respect its Kyoto commitments. The motion directed the Prime Minister to develop a plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and to use the existing means provided in the Canadian Environmental Protection Act to take necessary initiatives.

Restrict new oil and gas

The other end of this axis: Expand production and export

Criticizes oil sands expansion and lack of climate action.

Where are we today? We have a government with no plan and no vision and a Minister of Natural Resources freelancing about building a nuclear power plant to support a fivefold increase in oil sands production in northern Alberta. We have a Minister of Finance in China flogging oil and gas and a Prime Minister having met with the president three or four times but not a single shred of evidence that greenhouse gases, climate change or the environment was part of any of those discussions.

Public supply and demand controls

The other end of this axis: Market supply and deregulation

Supports government funding and initiatives for affordable housing.

Our national housing agency, Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, is inviting community groups and individuals to apply for seed funding. Introduced in 2003, seed funding helps pay for activities in the early stages of housing project development, including a housing needs analysis and a business plan.

Higher permanent intake

The other end of this axis: Lower intake

opposes plans to significantly reduce the number of newcomers

Why is the government trying to distract people from its plan to significantly reduce the number of newcomers by fudging the numbers and tooting its own horn about its pathetic record on immigration?

Stronger unions and standards

The other end of this axis: More flexibility for employers

Supports worker protections in strikes and bankruptcy.

When we go back to the Sims report of 1995, there was never total unanimity on the report's recommendations with respect to replacement workers. Certainly, the matter of replacement workers was a highly contentious issue in 1995, when that multi-stakeholder task force was struck precisely to advise the government on how it should proceed and how it should move forward.