Legend

• CON Conservative
• LIB Liberal
• NDP New Democratic Party
• COM Communist
• GRN Green
• IND Independent
• CHP Christian Heritage Party
• PPC People's Party

• How big of a priority is it to balance the federal budget?

  Essential

  High priority

  Neutral

  Low priority

  Not important

  NDP

  Robert A. Smith: No one likes deficits – but the NDP will not balance the budget on the backs of everyday families. We want to invest in people, instead of making choices that squeeze working families harder than they are already being squeezed. We will ask multi-millionaires and mega-corporations to pay their fair share, with a 1 per cent tax on wealth over $20 million. We’ll also close tax loopholes and go after tax evaders.

  CON

  James Bezan: Canadians are not happy with Justin Trudeau’s out of control spending and soaring deficits. We need a government that will balance the books in a responsible way that does not impact the services they depend on. The Conservative platform has a fully costed plan that will see us return to a balanced budget in 5 years, without cutting health care transfers or social programs. In fact, Andrew Scheer has been clear that health transfers to provinces will increase if he is elected on October 21st, by at least 3% each year.

  PPC

  Ian Kathwaroon: No Comment

  GRN

  Wayne James: That can be a long discussion. The first question I would ask is, "why not Nationalize a bank"? Cost a lot less if we, the people, owned the money.
  • Did not respond:
  • LIB Detlev Regelsky

• I would rather have more money in my pocket through tax cuts than have the federal government increase spending on public services.

  Strongly agree

  Somewhat agree

  Neutral

  Somewhat disagree

  Strongly disagree

  NDP

  Robert A. Smith: Canadian households are maxed out and feeling the financial pressure, but lower taxes are not the only - nor - best solution. A better solution - the New Democrat solution - to the financial stress Canadians face is to help them with the cost of living through a universal child care program, universal public pharmacare that covers 100% of our drug costs, regulating lower cell phone bills, building more affordable housing, eliminating the interest on student loans, and other cost saving measures. Rather than bringing in tax cuts and paying full price for the same services, the NDP proposals pool our demand - for child care, drugs, cell phones, and housing - and gets us a bulk discount on these goods and services that will pay off in the long term because we get the same services for less, and the money we save goes back into your pockets and into the economy.

  CON

  James Bezan: Conservatives have a plan to cut taxes for all Canadians and increase spending where it matters most. We will achieve this by cutting our foreign aid budget by 25% and re-focusing the remainder on the world’s neediest countries, and scrapping corporate welfare to wealthy companies that do not need to be subsidized by our taxpayer dollars. We will not cut the Child Benefit, seniors’ benefits, or transfers to provinces.

  PPC

  Ian Kathwaroon: No Comment

  GRN

  Wayne James: That's is a useless question.
  • Did not respond:
  • LIB Detlev Regelsky

• In 2018, about 320,000 immigrants came to Canada. Is that the right number?

  Way too many

  Too many

  About right

  Too few

  Way too few

  NDP

  Robert A. Smith: A New Democrat government will make sure that our immigration policies and levels meet Canada’s labour force needs and recognize people’s experiences, contributions, and ties to Canada. We will work with the provinces to address gaps in settlement services and improve foreign credentials recognition.

  PPC

  Ian Kathwaroon: No Comment
  • Did not respond:
  • CON James Bezan
  • LIB Detlev Regelsky
  • GRN Wayne James

• In 2018, about 28,000 refugees came to Canada. Is that the right number?

  Way too many

  Too many

  About right

  Too few

  Way too few

  NDP

  Robert A. Smith: The world is experiencing an unprecedented refugee crisis, Canada has a vital role to play in resettling people forced out of their homes by conflict, persecution, and disasters.  A New Democrat government will fix the system to get rid of the backlog and work with Canadians to resettle refugees and ensure that they are given the support they need to build successful lives and new homes here in Canada. New Democrats will make the right choices to promote safety, security, and efficiency in Canada’s border communities by suspending the Safe Third Country agreement with the United States, allowing people to make asylum claims at official border crossings.

  PPC

  Ian Kathwaroon: It all depends on your definition of "refugee" and where they came from.
  • Did not respond:
  • CON James Bezan
  • LIB Detlev Regelsky
  • GRN Wayne James

• How important is it for Canada to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions?

  Essential

  High priority

  Neutral

  Low priority

  Not important

  NDP

  Robert A. Smith: People across the country are worried about the future. Flooding and forest fires are threatening our homes. Polluted air and water are hitting communities hard. It’s time to fight climate change like we actually want to win. But the Liberals are just wasting time while they let the biggest polluters off the hook and give billions in subsidies to oil and gas companies. And while the Conservatives deny a problem even exists, families know we can’t waste any more time. We can make different choices for our environment – and the future of our communities. A New Democrat government will declare a climate emergency and put in place ambitious, science-based greenhouse gas reductions targets that will help stabilize the global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius. We’ll put these targets in legislation and ensure accountability by creating an independent Climate Accountability Office to do regular audits of progress towards our climate goals. We can transition to a clean energy, carbon-free economy while investing in workers and creating jobs. And we can make life more affordable for families with retrofits, electric transit, and zero-emission vehicles.  Recognizing that putting a price on carbon is an important tool to drive greenhouse gas reductions at the source, we will continue carbon pricing, including rebates to households that fall under the federal backstop plan, while making it fairer and rolling back the breaks this Liberal government has given to big polluters. Together, we can protect our air and water and become climate leaders.

  CON

  James Bezan: Andrew Scheer announced A Real Plan to Protect our Environment that will focus on taking the climate change fight global. The Liberals think they can tax their way to a better environment by punishing middle class Canadians, especially rural Canadians, with a carbon tax that makes all aspects of life more expensive. This is a tax plan not an environmental plan and it will do nothing to improve our environment. What he doesn’t like to talk about is the up to 93% exemption big corporate emitters are getting under his carbon tax. Our Conservative plan gives incentive to companies to invest in green technology and share that technology with the world's biggest carbon emitters in Asia, India and elsewhere. Even if Canada’s entire economy were to shut down tomorrow, China and other such countries would pick up where we left off within days. CO2 does not need a passport to travel around the world. We need to take this fight global and Conservatives are the only Party with a plan to do that. Here at home, we have a plan to end the dumping of raw sewage into our waterways. For Manitobans this is great news since the Lake Winnipeg and Lake Manitoba algae crisis is largely due to that untreated sewage being dumped into the lake basins. We will work with the province and municipalities to put an end to toxic dumping. It has no place in our critical waterways.

  PPC

  Ian Kathwaroon: No Comment

  GRN

  Wayne James: What the world needs now is leadership. Canada has a reputation in this field. We are seen as compassionate and caring. More pointedly the character of a nation is defined by the character of its people. We are being given the opportunity seize the moment, which is true leadership.
  • Did not respond:
  • LIB Detlev Regelsky

• Should Canada approve the construction of new fossil-fuel pipelines?

  Definitely

  A few

  Maybe

  No

  Get Canada off oil

  NDP

  Robert A. Smith: New Democrats believe in giving Canadians a stronger voice in energy decisions that impact their communities. We will overhaul the process for reviewing major projects to ensure adequate time for public consultation and provide core funding to support Indigenous communities participating in these processes. Project by project and based on strict criteria we will ensure that proposed projects align with our emissions reductions targets, respect Indigenous rights, and create good jobs here in Canada.

  CON

  James Bezan: Absolutely. We need to get our ethical oil to market and reduce our reliance on oil coming into our ports in foreign tankers from places like Saudi Arabia and Algeria. It is incredible that after four years in government Justin Trudeau cannot get a single pipeline built, even after buying one with taxpayer dollars. What we need is a clear pathway to approval. Conservatives have a plan to make sure we consult appropriately with all stakeholders, including provinces and Indigenous groups, in order to build a National Energy Corridor. We have to make sure legitimate concerns are addressed while at the same time respecting the rights of groups who deserve to see the economic benefits of these energy projects.

  PPC

  Ian Kathwaroon: No Comment
  • Did not respond:
  • LIB Detlev Regelsky
  • GRN Wayne James

• Handguns should be banned in Canada.

  Strongly agree

  Somewhat agree

  Neutral

  Somewhat disagree

  Strongly disagree

  NDP

  Robert A. Smith: While the Liberals and Conservatives continue to play politics with firearms legislation and public safety, we’re committed to sensible legislation that will keep communities safe and work for lawful firearms owners. Among the many concerns considered, we appreciated the advocacy of law-abiding firearms owners who made the case that the regulations and laws that are adopted should not create an overbearing burden and a cumbersome system on sports shooting, hunting, or other activities that take place in communities across the country.  We believe that any regulations on firearms should be evidence-based, and reflect community needs. That is why New Democrats have proposed giving municipalities the discretion to ban handguns, if they determine there is a local need to do so.

  CON

  James Bezan: Virtually all gun crime in Canada is carried out by criminal gangs that acquire their handguns from illegal smuggling across the U.S. border. Making law-abiding firearms owners and sport shooters follow even more laws is ludicrous. Conservatives have a real plan to tackle gun crime that includes stiffer sentences for criminals carrying illegal firearms and re-associating with their gang while on parole, cracking down on cross-border smuggling by equipping a special CBSA task force, and naming criminal gangs in the Criminal Code similar to the way we name terrorist organizations which makes them easier to prosecute.

  PPC

  Ian Kathwaroon: Handguns should be banned from people who will use them in a negative way. Canadians should have the freedom to own what they want as long as such items are not misused.
  • Did not respond:
  • LIB Detlev Regelsky
  • GRN Wayne James

• To what extent do you feel there is a need for reconciliation between Canada and Indigenous peoples?

  Great need

  Some need

  Neutral

  Low need

  No need

  NDP

  Robert A. Smith: Canada’s relationship with Indigenous peoples has been deeply troubled and must change. Successive federal governments have denied the basic human rights of Indigenous peoples, stolen children from their parents, forced Indigenous peoples off their homelands and territories, and claimed lands without consent or compensation. We don’t believe Indigenous peoples should be treated this way. New Democrats are committed to undertaking the important work of reconciliation in good faith, and in true and equal partnership with Indigenous communities across the country. We’re committed to making different choices that prioritize Indigenous sovereignty and autonomy, and supporting services and programs that increase quality of life and dignity. A New Democrat government will work to end systemic discrimination against Indigenous peoples in the justice system. In accordance with Truth and Reconciliation Commission Calls to Action 30, 31, and 32, we will increase the discretion of judges during sentencing, ensure bail programs are culturally appropriate, bolster funding for community justice programs that focus on healing and restorative justice rather than incarceration, and uphold the use of Gladue principles in court proceedings. Of course, a New Democrat government will also support the Directive on Civil Litigation Involving Indigenous Peoples that puts an end to costly and adversarial legal battles with Indigenous communities. And, we will also keep residential school Survivors at the heart of decisions around justice for their experiences, ensuring fair compensation for St. Anne’s residential school Survivors, Métis Survivors, and those who survived abuse in day schools.

  CON

  James Bezan: I have several Indigenous communities in my riding and this is something we talk about a lot. What I am hearing from them is that we need to prioritize reconciliation in a way that translates into positive changes on the ground. Conservatives believe there can be no true or lasting reconciliation without economic reconciliation that allows all indigenous peoples in Canada to benefit from the economic wealth Canada can create. Conservatives are focused on bringing forward policies that have a real and measurable impact on the lives of Canada’s Indigenous people. Conservatives will make investments in areas such as housing, health services, and good quality drinking water. We understand that the investments we make have to translate into tangible changes for those communities. Unlike the Liberals, who have created endless barriers for economic development in indigenous communities, Conservatives will act to empower indigenous communities to share the wealth and economic opportunities Canada is capable of creating.

  PPC

  Ian Kathwaroon: We must work on the Indian Act and come to an agreement on how to move forward. Both the Liberals and Conservatives have failed to accomplish this. It is time to heal what has been occurred and settle our differences.
  • Did not respond:
  • LIB Detlev Regelsky
  • GRN Wayne James

• Some of Canada’s big cities want the federal government channel funding directly to them for things like transit, rather than sending funding to the provinces to distribute to cities. Is that a good idea?

  Great idea

  Good idea

  Neutral

  Bad idea

  Terrible idea

  NDP

  Robert A. Smith: The federal government must respect the jurisdiction of the provinces, but it must also appreciate that municipalities and towns across Canada need our help. New Democrats believe that Canadians should be able to count on the federal government to invest in infrastructure to make a real difference in communities across the country, not to pad the bank accounts of investment firms. We understand that getting our communities moving is critical for our economy and our quality of life, and that’s why we’ll put in place a permanent, direct, allocation-based funding mechanism for modern public transit across Canada for the long run.

  CON

  James Bezan: A Conservative government will work with the provinces to ensure they have the resources they need for what is important, like health, education and critical infrastructure. Andrew Scheer has been clear, a Conservative government will increase federal transfers by at least 3% each year, allowing provinces to confidently makes plans and priorities.

  PPC

  Ian Kathwaroon: No Comment
  • Did not respond:
  • LIB Detlev Regelsky
  • GRN Wayne James

• The Canadian government should implement a pharmacare program to cover the cost of prescription drugs.

  Strongly agree

  Somewhat agree

  Neutral

  Somewhat disagree

  Strongly disagree

  NDP

  Robert A. Smith: Today, Canada is the only wealthy country in the world with a universal health care system that lacks universal prescription insurance coverage. We pay the third highest prices for prescription drugs in the world, and have to deal with a patchwork of programs and coverage – if we’re lucky enough to have coverage at all. New Democrats believe that we must do better. Just as our party led the fight to establish universal public health care for all Canadians, we are leading the fight to expand Medicare – to include quality prescription drug coverage for everyone, regardless of your job, where you live, your age, your health status, or how much money you make. Our plan will guarantee that every Canadian can get the medication they need. And it will mean big savings for employers who currently pay for employee benefits, helping to reward good employers and boost economic growth. It will also cost our system less overall as a result of pooling the purchasing power of the entire country.

  CON

  James Bezan: The Liberals have been promising a pharmacare plan for decades. It was in their platform back in 1997 and they have done absolutely nothing to implement it. There is no reason to believe this time around will be any different. Conservatives understand that some Canadians legitimately struggle to pay for medications, but according to the Conference Board of Canada, 98% of Canadians currently have or qualify for a prescription drug plan. Furthermore, if Justin Trudeau did implement the recommendations of the Hoskins’ Report, he would have to drastically raise taxes to pay for it. Conservatives have a plan to make life more affordable for all Canadians, including seniors on fixed incomes. Conservatives will raise the Age Credit by $1,000, eliminate the GST on home heating, implement a universal tax cut, reducing the rate of the lowest-income tax bracket and saving the average Canadian more than $850 each year, and scrap the carbon tax.

  PPC

  Ian Kathwaroon: People who cannot afford medications should be covered. It should also depend on the medication, the duration and the costs.
  • Did not respond:
  • LIB Detlev Regelsky
  • GRN Wayne James

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