The federal parties released their platforms last week, and as part of an organization advocating for poverty reduction, it’s my job to evaluate their implications for poverty in Canada. 

Today we’re focusing on the liberals, who were the first to release the platform, and who set the bar high, with many of the their key policy issues – and certainly all those discussed in their online platform video – aligning with poverty alleviation. 

The major issues highlighted in their video include education, early childhood education, elderly parent care, retirement provisions, and home energy retrofits – all aimed at making daily life more affordable for Canadians.  For example, their proposed provisions for elderly parent care include a 6 months leave of absence – similar to parental leave – without family caregivers having to worry about losing their jobs; and their “Canadian Learning Passport” funding, which contributes to high school students’ college/university savings, gives special provisions for those living in low-income families.    

Garnering little attention in their online video were their commitments to a Poverty Reduction Plan for Canada (page 55 of their platform document), to education for First Nations communities, access to clean water for all First Nations communities, an Affordable Housing Framework, incentives for hiring youth, and language education for new immigrants – to improve their opportunities for social inclusion and employment. According to Ignatieff, this all feeds into the Liberal party’s government paradigm, in which the Canadian government exists first and foremost to “take care of its people”.

Criticism of the platform has centred primarily around the liberals’ proposal to increase revenue through corporate tax increases – back to 18% from 16.5%.  In Calgary, reservations on the platform are also linked to a fear that funding will disappear for recreation centres that depend on 3P partnerships – certainly an issue to be addressed by the Liberal party. 

Overall, the Liberal platform bodes well for those in poverty, and certainly makes progress towards the goals set out by the HUMA report.  It addresses many of the root causes of poverty, and if well-implemented, shows potential to reduce poverty in Canada. 

I’m looking forward to hearing how the other parties intend to address poverty in Canada.  Greens – you’re up next!