If a candidate comes knocking on my door during this election campaign, these are the ten questions I intend to ask them:
- What will your party actually do to reduce government spending?
- Will your government allow private enterprises provide health care services to the Canadian public via our existing provincial health care system?
(i.e. Patients will not have to pay extra for these type of health care services as the the provincial health care system will cover the costs - just swipe your health card and you're free to go) - What concrete efforts will your government take to protect Canada's fresh water supply?
- Do you think the carbon credit trading system will actually reduce air pollution?
- Would your government agree to be legally and monetarily binded to a "Kyoto-type" agreement on air emissions if major polluting countries like China, India, Russia, and the USA do not commit to the same reductions?
- How will your government tax capital gains and dividends?
- Will your government toughen the Young Offenders Act?
- How will your government ensure that judges give tough sentences to criminals (especially repeat offenders)?
- Does your party believe government should be providing handouts and loans to companies in any sector (including the automotive, aerospace, environmental sectors)?
- Does your party support income-splitting between spouses?
I recommend that you create your own list of questions about the issues that concern you so you'll be ready to ask the tough questions to any election candidates that come by your neighbourhood requesting your vote in the upcoming weeks.
1 comment:
I like your income splitting question since it is a tax option many countries use to more fairly recognize when households share income. It also is a key way to recognize the unpaid or lower paid adult, often the woman, and the work done taking care of children, the sick, elderly, handicapped or dying.
I would also love to ask candidates what they would do to fund such care. Right now funding goes not to the caregiver but to 3rd parties, and only to 3rd parties, as if caregiving does not exist unless you hire out. A fairer system looks at who legitimately needs care and then provides funds that 'flow with' the person needing it. More choice as a result, and certainly more equality. We should not play favorites among the young, sick or elderly.
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