Justin Trudeau announced his resignation as prime minister on Monday morning but will remain in the role until the Liberal Party picks a new leader to run in a general election. While a date has yet to be set, federal party leaders are poised to run their electoral campaigns.
Here’s what you need to know about the current party leaders’ mandates.
Read More
CONSERVATIVE PARTY OF CANADA- PIERRE POILIEVRE
Pierre Poilievre has been the leader of the Conservative Party since 2022 and has served as member of parliament for Carleton since 2004.
The leader of opposition has been critical of the Liberal Party’s fiscal policy under Trudeau, particularly its handling of inflation, which as prime minister Poilievre says he would cut by reducing government spending.
Poilievre is a strong advocate for tax reductions, particularly for middle class Canadians. He has proposed cutting the carbon tax and corporation taxes, which he says will stimulate economic growth and help families achieve financial stability.
Meanwhile, Poilievre has shown support for technological advancements in renewable resources and is a proponent of growing Canada’s energy production sector through innovation rather than heavy taxation.
The conservative leader maintains the need for free and accessible health-care but has hinted at support for a private sector, which he argues would relieve the strain on the public system.
Nonetheless, he was against compulsory COVID-19 vaccinations, which were mandated for public servants in 2021, and argued that the rule was an infringement on civil liberties.
In addition, Poilievre has been critical of the liberal government’s approach to reducing crime, specifically its treatment of gun violence, organized crime and drug trafficking, and often advocates for tighter border controls to clamp down on illegal immigration.
Poilievre has stated his intentions to maintain a healthy relationship with the United States, while implementing a robust foreign policy and a more assertive approach to dealing with the Chinese government.
For more on his candidacy, click here.
NEW DEMOCRATIC PARTY – JAGMEET SINGH
Jagmeet Singh has been the leader of the NDP since 2017 and was elected into the House of Commons in 2019 when he won the seat for the Burnaby South riding in British Columbia.
His election mandate is centred around social justice, climate action and economic equity with a focus on addressing the needs of the working class.
Singh’s mandate positions affordable housing as a primary issue, this includes kickstarting a national housing strategy and making homes more accessible to first-time buyers.
One of his flagship policies is the creation of a universal pharmacare program, to ensure that every Canadian has access to prescription medications they need at no cost.
Read More
Meanwhile, Singh’s climate policy is focused on creating green jobs, investing in clean energy infrastructures and creating fair transition initiatives to help workers and communities impacted by the shift from fossil fuels to renewable energy adjust.
If elected, Singh has expressed that he will increase taxes on the wealthy and corporations, and has also proposed raising the minimum wage, improving child benefits and expanding the public health-care system to include mental health, dental and vision services.
He is also an advocate for gender equality, sexual harassment prevention and better supports for survivors of domestic violence.
Singh has also declared support for creating strong public services including transportation, education and social support resources, with a particular focus on making post-secondary education more affordable.
To learn more about the NDP and its policies, click here.
GREEN PARTY – ELIZABETH MAY
Elizabeth May resumed her role as leader of The Green Party of Canada in 2022 after stepping down in 2019 and is a revered environmental campaigner.
Under May’s leadership, the party has outlined a mandate with a focus on climate action, sustainability, social justice, and democratic reforms.
The party calls for immediate climate action, including net-zero emissions by 2030 as well as a more comprehensive and aggressive green deal for Canada with a sharp focus on clean energy investments, green technologies, green jobs that pay well, growing low-carbon industries and transitioning Canada away from fossil fuels entirely.
It is proponent of a Universal Basic Income, a policy that would guarantee a minimum income for all Canadians, which it argues would help to reduce poverty and inequality. It also seeks to tax the country’s wealthiest citizens, including more corporations, and to use the revenue to fund social safety nets.
Its mandate also includes a national affordable housing strategy, as well as a comprehensive Indigenous sovereignty policy, which includes a commitment to fully implementing the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s propositions.
The party is seeking to expand public health-care to include dental, vision, prescription and mental health services under the public system and has committed to protecting and expanding the rights of 2SLGBTQ+ individuals within the health-care system and beyond.
To learn about the Green Party mandate, click here.
BLOC QUÉBÉCOIS (BQ) – YVES-FRANÇOIS BLANCHET
The leader of Bloc Quebecois is Yves Francois Blanchet. He has been in charge since 2019. The party operates primarily in Quebec and is largely focused on upholding the province’s sovereignty while advocating for the interests of Quebec residents.
Its main priority is to protect French language and culture, while upholding health-care and education access and environmental sustainability. It also pushes for Quebec to be granted extended powers within the federal system in areas related to the economy, immigration and natural resources.
BQ is unique in that it does not seek governance but rather to represent Quebec’s distinct interests on a national level, it is known for advocating for the independence of the province.
