séElection 2015

Election 20lo:

The issues at stake

Grant Bachand
Contributor

S chool is back up and we find ourselves right in the middle of a federal election. This
election seems to be a very competitive one with no one party polling decisively ahead of
the others. Nanos polling by CTV has indicated that all the parties are in a tie, and it is very
likely that the election will be a tight one. BC is being looked at as the place where the winner
of the election will be decided, whereas in past elections the winner has already been decided
before BC polls are closed or counted. It is important that as voters we are well educated in the
parties and what their vision to help the country is. Here you will find a breakdown of all the
parties and give you an idea of what their campaign promises are.

The Conservative Party of Canada

Let’s start with the Conservative Party of Canada, the current governing party. The
merger of the Canadian Alliance Party and the Progressive Conservative Party in 2003
created the modern Conservatives, unifying the right, as the Liberals and New Democratic

Party have kept the left divided. This party has been in power since 2006 when they
defeated the Liberals led by Paul Martin. In that time they have seen a war in Afghanistan
and a major recession in 2008. The Conservatives have confronted many issues that

faced Canada, however some of the decisions that they have made have angered some
Canadians like the decision to pull out of the Kyoto Protocol in 2011 and the passing of
Bill C-51. They have also done things that have helped Canadians such as, introducing

the Tax Free Savings Account, which is a great savings tool for young Canadians.

The Conservatives have been hammering home the idea that now is not the time to

rock the boat. They say only they have the experience and knowhow to navigate this
treacherous time. With Islamic terrorism in the Middle East, a falling Canadian dollar

and an uncertain global economy, the Conservatives are hoping to show that change

is not what Canada needs. A balanced budget has been one of the main pillars of the
Conservative platform for many elections; they are toting that the budget is balanced and
it is because of strong conservative policies. However, if the budget is truly balanced this
has yet to been seen. The balanced budget was achieved not solely by cuts in spending

or increases in revenue, but the one time sale of General Motors shares that government
had as part of its investment portfolio. After the election the deficit may return.

So what are the conservatives promising us with this election? Some of their best hits are
here such as, strong fiscal choices to keep the budget balanced. They also drive home the
idea of paying less taxes and keeping more money in the private person’s pocket. The CPC
has promised to cut taxes on El and other payroll taxes by 2017. This would effectively leave
more money on your paycheque, though it also leaves less money in EI and CPP benefits

as well. One of the more controversial positions has been the income-splitting program

for families with children under the age of 18. This would be up to $50,000 annually.

How does it work? Say we have a couple, Jim and Jill. Jim, who makes $100,000 a year and

his wife Jill, she makes $30,000. Jim, under the old tax system has to pay tax on his whole
$100,000 income and Jill has to pay on her whole $30,000 income. At the end of the year
they would pay $23,794.89 in taxes. Under the new system Jim can transfer some of his
money to Jill so they both have to pay taxes on $65,000 in income each. This would lower the
amount the family has to pay in taxes to $20,141.86 saving the family $3,653.03 in taxes.

The Conservatives have made many more promises such as resurrecting the “life means life”
legislation, which would ensure prisoners who are given life in prison, stay in prison for

their whole lives. They would also spend $200 million to improve high-speed and broadband
Internet in rural areas. Government contribution to RESPs will be raised so that families
earning up to $44,000 would get $200 for the first $500 put away for a child’s higher education
plan each year. Families earning $88,000 would receive $100 on the first $500 each year.

The Conservatives have a compelling platform, and they have been the governing party
for a long time. That though may not be enough to help them get another government,
due to high levels of voter dissatisfaction with them and people asking for change in
government. The only question now is if change does come what will it look like.

The Liberal Party of Canada

Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau has attacked the Conservatives constantly about
their performance as the governing party. They have spoken about the deficits
the Conservatives have run with little to no growth in the economy. The idea
of deficits is not something they are shying away from; they are the only ones

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