From left to right, Bloc Quebecois Leader Yves-Francois Blanchet in Trois Rivieres, Que.; Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau in Halifax; NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh in Montreal and Conservative Leader Erin O’Toole in Ottawa. Each photograph was taken Monday, Aug. 23, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jacques Boissinot, Sean Kilpatrick, Paul Chiasson, Ryan Remiorz
Federal party leaders continued on the campaign trail today, announcing new plans in hopes of wooing voters to their respective platforms.
Liberals. Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau announced a three-part housing plan in Hamilton on Tuesday, including $1 billion in loans and grants to help renters become homeowners through various rent-to-own projects. The plan includes a tax-free First Home Savings Account that allows Canadians under 40 to save up to $40,000 toward their first homes and withdraw it tax-free to put toward their purchase, with no requirement to repay it.
The Liberals’ plan additionally promised a reduced monthly mortgage by having the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) cut insurance rates by 25 percent.
Trudeau also pledged to ban blind bidding and forbid foreigners from buying Canadian homes for the next two years to allow more access for Canadian homebuyers. He also promised to build or repair 1.4 million homes in four years if re-elected, to increase the supply of homes.
Conservatives. Conservative Leader Erin O’Toole announced Tuesday in Ottawa that his party will secure pensions for Canadian workers if elected.
O’Toole’s plan will see that executives do not pay themselves with bonuses while managing a company undergoing restructuring unless the pension plan is fully funded. Companies will not be allowed to convert underfunded pension plans to annuities, and they will be mandated to report the funding status of their employees’ pension plans.
O’Toole also said he supports the current health system and promised to make “record high” health transfers to provinces.
NDP. NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh committed to ending for-profit long-term care while campaigning in Mississauga Tuesday.
He also promised to develop national care standards, with accountability measures, and boost wages and support for long-term care workers.
Green Party. During a campaign stop in Mississauga on Tuesday, Green Party Leader Annamie Paul said affordable housing is her top priority.
She said there is an urgent need to recognize there is an affordable housing crisis in Canada, and proposed appointing a federal housing advocate to ensure action is being taken, strengthen regulation to limit foreign investment, and end the “predatory” practices in residential real estate.
People’s Party. PPC Leader Maxime Bernier tweeted Tuesday that his Party will continue to confront issues such as “immigration, private health care, equalization, climate alarmism, etc.” which he said the other parties “don’t want to touch.”
In another tweet, he told potential voters that if politicians promised them a new program, subsidy or tax break, “remember that you will also have to PAY for all the promises made to others.”
