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

  CHP

  Linda Marynuk: It’s high priority, when a government keeps borrowing and keeps getting a deficit, it’s the children and young people in our families that is going to pay the interest along with an exceeded high debt. It will take generations to pay back the debt.

  PPC

  Jane MacDiarmid: No Comment

  CON

  Joyce Bateman: A Conservative government will live within its means. Under Andrew Scheer’s leadership, any new spending not already budgeted must be paid for from savings within the government. Put another way, if you decide to take a family holiday, your roof repair has to wait. You can’t do both. Your bank account is not a bottomless pit, and neither is the taxpayer’s pocket. Families live within their means. Government should too.

  GRN

  James Beddome: No Comment

  LIB

  Jim Carr: Canadians created more than one million new jobs in just four years. Stronger wage growth is helping more Canadians get ahead, but further progress is needed. With an economy that is strong and growing, and with steadily declining debt relative to the size of our economy, Canada now has the best balance sheet in the G7. And together, we’ve helped lift 900,000 people out of poverty. Our new fiscal track recognizes the challenging economic realities we may face in the years ahead. It recognizes what the Parliamentary Budget Officer has affirmed – that current government spending is sustainable over the long term – and gives us the room we need to invest for long-term growth. While others seek to move our country backward – balancing the books at all costs, on the backs of hard-working Canadians – we will move forward with the investments that we know make a real difference.

  NDP

  Elizabeth Shearer: The NDP will not balance the budget on the backs of everyday families. We choose to invest in people and 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.

• 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

  CHP

  Linda Marynuk: No Comment

  PPC

  Jane MacDiarmid: No Comment

  CON

  Joyce Bateman: Drastic spending cuts aren’t necessary to balance the budget. Simply taking a responsible, measured approach to spending growth will go a long way. And that is what the Conservatives will do.

  GRN

  James Beddome: No Comment

  LIB

  Jim Carr: The last four years have shown what can happen when we put people first and invest in the things that make their lives easier: more money for families to help grow the economy, more good jobs and more liveable communities, and 900,000 fewer people living in poverty. We will make sure that people don’t pay federal taxes on the first $15,000 they earn. This will save the average family nearly $600 a year. It will also mean that about 700,000 more Canadians, including seniors and young people starting their careers, will pay no federal tax at all, lifting nearly 40,000 more people out of poverty. While Andrew Scheer’s tax plan would give more to wealthy Canadians, our plan lowers taxes the most for people who make less, helps the middle class, and ensures that the wealthy don’t get an extra hand up. Our tax cut would also help lift twice as many Canadians out of poverty than the Conservative plan would.

  NDP

  Elizabeth Shearer: 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.

• 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

  CHP

  Linda Marynuk: No Comment

  PPC

  Jane MacDiarmid: No Comment

  CON

  Joyce Bateman: Immigration, done right, is good for the economy, good for jobs, and good for the people who have chosen to come to Canada. I am committed to helping set immigration levels consistent with what is in Canada’s best interests. That number may change every year to reflect what Canada needs, and who needs Canada.

  GRN

  James Beddome: No Comment

  LIB

  Jim Carr: Canada’s story is the story of immigrants – of people who came here seeking a better life for themselves and their families – and of the people who welcomed them. Together, we have helped to grow our economy, build strong communities, create good jobs, and make Canada the best place in the world to call home. To keep our economy strong and growing, we will move forward with modest and responsible increases to immigration, with a focus on welcoming highly skilled people who can help build a stronger Canada. We will also continue to work with the government of the United States to modernize the Safe Third Country Agreement.

  NDP

  Elizabeth Shearer: 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.

• 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

  CON

  Joyce Bateman: The Liberal government’s complete mismanagement of our immigration system means that the world’s most vulnerable who are waiting in refugee camps and newcomers to Canada waiting their turn to have their applications processed will have to wait longer. Conservatives have a plan to refocus Canada’s immigration system on order, fairness and compassion. Justin Trudeau does not.

  GRN

  James Beddome: No Comment

  LIB

  Jim Carr: For more than 150 years, Canada and Canadians have made their mark on the world – showing courage and honour in the face of war, and working hard to build lasting peace and prosperity for millions of people. That didn’t happen by accident, and it won’t continue without effort. To continue welcoming those who want to contribute to our country’s success. Canadians are open, accepting, and generous – qualities that should be reflected in Canada’s immigration policies and in our approach to welcoming those seeking refuge from conflict and war.

  NDP

  Elizabeth Shearer: 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.
  • Did not respond:
  • CHP Linda Marynuk
  • PPC Jane MacDiarmid

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

  Essential

  High priority

  Neutral

  Low priority

  Not important

  PPC

  Jane MacDiarmid: No Comment

  CON

  Joyce Bateman: We should all be concerned about climate change – about the kind of planet we will leave to future generations. The Conservative “Real Plan to Protect Our Environment” is built on three guiding principles: o Green technology, not taxes. o A cleaner and greener natural environment. o Taking the climate change fight global. Under the Conservative plan, it will not be free to pollute – and unlike the Liberal scheme, there will be no sweetheart deals for anybody. However, rather than simply funneling money to the government as the Liberal plan dictates, emitters who exceed our limits will be required to invest in technology that will lower emissions to fight climate change. Technology. Not taxes.

  GRN

  James Beddome: No Comment

  LIB

  Jim Carr: Canadians know that climate change is real, and in the last four years, science has made it even more clear that the future of the planet is at risk. Young people understand this – that’s why they are marching in the streets, demanding action. We can’t afford to go back to the Harper years when the Conservatives did nothing about climate change. We need to take our lead from young people and step up our fight against climate change. And we need to do it now. The best way through the climate emergency we are all facing is forward – toward a net-zero emissions future. A re-elected Liberal government will set legally-binding, five-year milestones, based on the advice of experts and consultations with Canadians, to reach net-zero emissions; appoint a group of scientists, economists, and experts to recommend the best path to get to net-zero; and exceed Canada’s 2030 emissions goal by introducing new carbon reducing measures. We will also continue to invest in the clean energy transition, with every dollar of revenue from the Trans Mountain Expansion reinvested in natural climate solutions and clean energy projects, and a Just Transition Act to ensure workers and communities have the training and support needed to succeed in the clean economy. To better support healthy ecosystems that help store carbon we will move forward with planting 2 billion trees over 10 years. We will also help homeowners do their part with up to $40,000 in interest-free loans to cut emissions through energy efficiency retrofits, which will also help Canadians save money on their energy bills.

  NDP

  Elizabeth Shearer: 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.
  • Did not respond:
  • CHP Linda Marynuk

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

  Definitely

  A few

  Maybe

  No

  Get Canada off oil

  PPC

  Jane MacDiarmid: No Comment

  CON

  Joyce Bateman: I will help our new Conservative federal government develop a dedicated, coast-to-coast right-of-way specifically set aside for energy infrastructure projects. Rather than have industry submit complicated route proposals for every new transmission line and pipeline project, we could have a single corridor – planned up front and in full consultation with the provinces and with Indigenous Canadians who would share in the prosperity that it would provide. With a single corridor, we could minimize environmental impacts, lower the costs of environmental assessments, increase certainty for investors, and, most importantly, get these critical projects built. All while doing Canada’s part in the fight against climate change by lowering global emissions.

  GRN

  James Beddome: No Comment

  LIB

  Jim Carr: A re-elected Liberal government will continue to prioritize Canada’s transition to clean energy, while recognizing the importance of securing market access for the natural resources we currently produce. Our government’s Impact Assessment Act creates better rules for considering major new projects in Canada, and that includes their climate change impacts. Guided by that Act, our government will ensure that fighting climate change is a central part of the discussion when ministers and Cabinet consider project proposals. Specifically, the Impact Assessment Act requires decision-makers to consider the extent to which a project hinders, or contributes to, Canada’s ability to meet its environmental obligations and its climate change commitments. We believe the economy and the environment are mutually reinforcing priorities. We will invest every dollar we earn from the Trans Mountain Expansion Project in Canada’s clean energy transition. Federal corporate income tax revenues resulting from the Trans Mountain Expansion Project could generate an estimated $500 million per year. This money, as well as any profit from the sale of the pipeline, will be invested in natural climate solutions and clean energy projects. A re-elected Liberal government will ensure energy workers and communities can shape their own futures by introducing a Just Transition Act, giving workers access to the training, support, and new opportunities needed to succeed in the clean economy.

  NDP

  Elizabeth Shearer: 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.
  • Did not respond:
  • CHP Linda Marynuk

• Handguns should be banned in Canada.

  Strongly agree

  Somewhat agree

  Neutral

  Somewhat disagree

  Strongly disagree

  CHP

  Linda Marynuk: No, the more they are banned the more criminals will find ways to get them. However, they should be banned from criminals. I do believe gun owners who hunt for livelihood or legitimate purposes should have licenses and their guns registered. It’s a very difficult situation for victims but guns have no place for criminals when they use them for violence because they want to assault or kill someone.

  PPC

  Jane MacDiarmid: No Comment

  CON

  Joyce Bateman: A Conservative Government will put criminals who use guns behind bars for a long time. Justin Trudeau’s approach of banning handguns fails to address the real problem – criminals who use guns to commit violence. Blanket bans and new rules on those who already obey the law do nothing to keep our streets safer. We will ensure that anyone who has a smuggled gun goes to prison. We will tackle so-called “straw purchases”. In addition, we will beef up our border enforcement to stop guns from being smuggled into Canada.

  GRN

  James Beddome: No Comment

  LIB

  Jim Carr: Gun crime is on the rise, and too often people are killed or injured because criminals have used military-style assault rifles. These guns are designed to inflict mass casualties and have no place in Canada. Unlike Conservatives, who want to weaken Canada’s gun laws, a re-elected Liberal government will make gun laws stronger. We will move forward with a ban on all military-style assault rifles, including the AR-15, and will take other steps to keep people safe from gun violence, including introducing a buyback program for all military-style assault rifles legally purchased in Canada, with fair market prices for owners and more resources for law enforcement to administer the program; working with provinces and territories to give municipalities the ability to further restrict or ban handguns; and protecting the rights of hunters and farmers, by not bringing back the long-gun registry.

  NDP

  Elizabeth Shearer: 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.

• 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

  CHP

  Linda Marynuk: The lack of historical knowledge has always been a big gap in how Indigenous people continue to be oppressed in society. Particularly the injustices done to children in Residential Schools and the 60’s Scoop. The damage that was done still affects many people today. The general population needs to be aware of the challenges Indigenous people face with regards to government policies and legislation that have been roadblocks preventing them from improving their quality of life, still to this day in modern society. We need people in government who will have a better understanding and better solutions of the complexities of the issues faced by Indigenous people. There is such a divide between Canada and Indigenous people.

  PPC

  Jane MacDiarmid: This has to be done in a way that restores the indigenous peoples dignity. What we have been doing is keeping them in a welfare state rather than empowering them to take responsibility for their own lives.

  CON

  Joyce Bateman: I am pleased to join the Conservative party in supporting the reconciliation process with Indigenous peoples. We are focussed on bringing forward policies that make real and measurable improvements in the lives of Canada’s Indigenous peoples. Conservatives support effective investments in important areas, such as access to housing, health services and good quality drinking water. It is critical that government spending translates into meaningful results on the ground. There can be no true and lasting reconciliation without economic reconciliation. The government must act to empower Indigenous communities to share in the wealth that Canada is so capable of creating. It is time we work together create a positive future for Indigenous youth, including increasing economic and education opportunities.

  GRN

  James Beddome: No Comment

  LIB

  Jim Carr: The future of Canada’s relationship with Indigenous Peoples, and our ongoing journey of reconciliation, transcends any one government. We need to continue to move forward, to a place where Indigenous Peoples in Canada are in control of their own destiny, making their own decisions about their future. A re-elected Liberal government will introduce co-developed legislation to implement the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples as government legislation by the end of 2020. We will continue to work to implement the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action, and the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls’ Calls for Justice, in partnership with First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples. We will also continue to support Indigenous-led processes for rebuilding and reconstituting their nations, advancing self-determination and, for First Nations, the transition away from the Indian Act.

  NDP

  Elizabeth Shearer: 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.

• 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

  PPC

  Jane MacDiarmid: No Comment

  CON

  Joyce Bateman: I believe that we should maintain a primary focus on putting more money in the hands of Canadians – not governments. A new Conservative government will introduce a Green Public Transit Tax Credit to reduce the cost of public transit. The Green Public Transit Tax Credit will provide much-needed relief to transit users and commuters so they can just worry about getting home on time, and not so much about their bottom line. The Credit will be for transit passes that allow for unlimited travel within Canada on local busses, streetcars, subways, commuter trains, and ferries. The Green Public Transit Tax Credit is part of our Real Plan to Protect the Environment - a plan that strikes a balance between conserving our environment for future generations, protecting our children from the effects of climate change, and making a real impact on global emissions reduction, and our core promise of leaving more money in the pockets of Canadians.

  GRN

  James Beddome: No Comment

  LIB

  Jim Carr: In the last four years, we have made real progress when it comes to the infrastructure communities need across the country – from community centres that bring people together to more efficient and reliable public transit in our biggest cities. More than 48,000 projects have been approved under the Investing in Canada Plan, the vast majority of which are already underway. At the same time, some provinces are playing political games – delaying project approvals and putting good jobs and our quality of life at risk. To make sure this critical infrastructure is built, we will require that all provinces and territories identify and approve of their long-term infrastructure priorities within the next two years. Funds that aren’t designated for specific projects by the end of 2021 will be reinvested directly in communities through a top-up of the federal Gas Tax Fund. We will also strengthen investments in public transit to shorten commute times, cut air pollution and grow our economy. To give cities the predictable transit funding they need to plan for the future, we will move forward with making the federal commitment to fund public transit permanent, and will make sure that it keeps up with the rising cost of construction over time. This will mean an additional $3 billion more per year in stable, predictable funding for our cities’ transit needs, on top of transfers through the federal Gas Tax Fund.

  NDP

  Elizabeth Shearer: 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.
  • Did not respond:
  • CHP Linda Marynuk

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

  Strongly agree

  Somewhat agree

  Neutral

  Somewhat disagree

  Strongly disagree

  CHP

  Linda Marynuk: The government needs to bring down the price of medication for people who really need them for various illnesses such as diabetes, heart disease, etc. except when it comes to opioids and illegal drugs and marijuana.

  PPC

  Jane MacDiarmid: We believe in making taxes more reasonable for all Canadians and this will raise the amount of money kept in Canadian pockets so people can afford Pharmacare.

  CON

  Joyce Bateman: Conservatives believe that every Canadian should have reasonable access to the healthcare they need. According to the Conference Board of Canada, 98% of Canadians currently have or qualify for a prescription drug plan, but we understand that some Canadians struggle to afford their medications. We are considering many ways to help Canadians better afford their medications.

  GRN

  James Beddome: No Comment

  LIB

  Jim Carr: For more than a decade, Conservative inaction put the future of our public health care system at risk. We know that one in five Canadians struggle to pay for their prescription medicines, and three million don’t fill their prescriptions because they can’t afford to. Building on the historic changes we have already made to reduce drug prices for Canadians by more than $1 billion a year, we will take the critical next steps to implement national pharmacare so that all Canadians have the drug coverage they need at an affordable price. Guided by the Advisory Council on the Implementation of National Pharmacare, we will: establish the Canada Drug Agency to make drug purchasing more effective and efficient; implement a national formulary with provinces, territories and other stakeholders in order to further lower drug prices; and implement a rare disease drug strategy to help Canadian families save money on high-cost drugs. As part of our negotiations with the provinces and territories on renewed health care priorities, we will seek a mandate to design and implement universal pharmacare, guided by the recommendations of the Advisory Council. We will continue to collaborate with the provinces and territories for more accessible care, shorter wait times, and better health outcomes, and we will make sure that every Canadian has access to a family doctor or primary health care team, improving the quality of care for the nearly five million Canadians who today lack access; set clear national standards for access to mental health services so Canadians can get the support they need quickly, when they need it most; and continue to make home care and palliative care more available across the country. We will back up these commitments with an additional $6 billion over the next four years, tied to outcomes and negotiated with the provinces and territories.

  NDP

  Elizabeth Shearer: 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.

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