[Sust-mar] Sierra Club election analysis & what Conservative policies might mean

[Paul A Falvo]

Sierra Club election analysis here:
www.sierraclub.ca/national/vote-canada/2006/

-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-

From: 	angela bischoff <greenspi at web.ca>

*Think Twice on January 23*
*
**Representatives from the child care, Aboriginal, women's rights,
health care, equality rights, environmental, arts, trade union, and
advocacy groups have a message for all Canadians.
*** What would Conservative policies mean for Canadians?

b& They mean privatization and deregulation, and more cuts to social
programs.

b& They mean the end of the national child care programme, and the
rollback of the $5 billion deal between ten provinces and the federal
government.  This is the beginning of the first new national social
programme since Medicare, but Harper says he will cancel it in exchange
for a dollar a day sent to Canadians, burdened with securing and
financing their own childcare.

b& They mean abandonment of the agreement just achieved with First
Nations at the Aboriginal Summit, and reneging on promised spending to
alleviate a housing and health care crisis for some of Canada's most
vulnerable citizens, women and children.

b& They mean more greenhouse gas emissions, the end of the domestic Kyoto
plan to reduce emissions by 2012, and moving Canada from a strong
supporter of further emission cuts to supporting George Bush's camp.

b& They_ mean a health care system based on commercialization_,_ not
patient needs; based on competition between health care providers_,_ not
collaborative practice; a health care system that would_ allocate_
public health care dollars to for-profit business_, rather than_
improving primary health care for our families_; and a continuing
absence of_ national standards for home care_ and inadequate_ long-term
care for our seniors_.

b& They mean the loss of at least $1 billion for affordable housing, and
the potential loss of a Canadian housing framework.

b& They mean no commitment to the income measures and services needed to
reduce poverty.

b& They mean abandoning efforts to protect workers' wages, pensions and
benefits in cases of corporate bankruptcy.

b& They mean massive tuition fee increases for university and college
students.

b& They mean greater trade and foreign policy integration with the U.S.,
particularly joint military ventures (including participation in foreign
conflicts and space-based military systems).

b& They mean new risks to Canadian women's right to reproductive choice
and access to abortion.

b& They mean abandoning plans for new pay equity legislation.

b& They mean abandoning plans for a new national strategy for people with
disabilities.

b& They mean less government support for the arts and for public
broadcasting.

b& They mean re-opening the debate over equal marriage rights for same
sex couples, and the introduction of unconstitutional legislation.

b& They mean re-opening the Charter to protect private property rights,
which have major implications for environmental protection, labour
rights, and equality rights.

b& They mean big tax cuts for corporations, and less pollution
regulations.
We are very concerned about the future of our country.  Many of the
victories Canadians have achieved over generations, and many important
new programs and initiatives that are poised to become reality, are very
much at risk.

*We_/ ARE/_ standing up for Canada.  We want a Canada with strong social
programs, environmental protection, and fairness for everyone.
Canadians need to think twice.

Endorsed By:

Canadian Auto Workers
Canadian Coalition for Health and Environment
Canadian Federation of Nurses Unions
Canadian Federation of Students
Canadian Health Coalition
Canadian Research Institute for the Advancement of Women
Cathy Crowe, Street Nurse, housing advocate
Centre for Social Justice, Toronto
Child Care Advocacy Association of Canada
Council of Canadians*
*Dorothy Goldin Rosenberg, Environmental Health Educator
Egale Canada*
*Elizabeth May, Environmentalist & Officer of the Order of Canada*
*Greenspiration
Leilani Farha, Housing Advocate
Lorraine Rekmans, Anishnabe K'we
National Action Committee on the Status of Women