The Liberals Promise To Expand Public Transit In Montreal & Construct Affordable Housing
- Below, we've outlined the points in the Liberal party platform that perhaps matter most to Montrealers.
- From expanding public transit, to constructing affordable housing, to achieving carbon neutrality, here's where the Liberal stand.
- Visit MTLBlog for more headlines.
This is MTL Blog’s Federal Election Platform Series.
Over the next few weeks, leading up to the Federal Election on October 21, we’re outlining the platforms of Canada’s major federal political parties, including the Conservative Party, the Green Party, the Liberal Party, and the New Democratic Party.
Below, we discuss the Liberal Party platform and where its members stand on issues that matter most to you. We'll be focusing on the specific concerns of Quebecers and Montrealers.
The Liberals won big in 2015 with party leader Justin Trudeau forming a majority government. After many years of Conservative leadership, Canadians opted for a Liberal government that promised legal marijuana, feminist mandates, electoral reform, and many other policies that appealed to young people.
At first, Trudeau's government had glowing reviews but recently the Liberals have had to play damage control on many scandals including a high-profile Ethic's Commission probe, the authorization of the Trans-Mountain pipeline, and several photos of the Prime Minister wearing blackface.
Along with what some claim to be broken promises and lost trust in the Trudeau government, the Liberals are nearly tied with the Conservatives at this point in the election. CBC's poll tracker indicates that the Liberals have a narrow lead of 34.2% compared to the Conservatives' 33.9%. In Quebec, the Liberals maintain a healthy lead above all parties, polling at 37.2%.
While many are predicting a Liberal victory, Justin Trudeau will be facing an uphill battle these next few weeks leading up to the election.
So, before you go out to vote, here's where the Liberals stand on issues that are important to Montrealer and other residents of Quebec.
Immigration
The Liberals have already increased immigration numbers to historic levels and hope to grow that number to 350,000 every year.
Though critical of the CAQ's mandate to decrease immigration numbers, Trudeau's Liberals have invested $250 million for Quebec to cover the costs of asylum seekers.
They also promise to make the path to citizenship more affordable and continue to work with the United States to improve the Safe Third Country Agreement.
In their official platform, the Liberals insist that immigration makes Canada "more diverse and more successful."
Economy
One year ago today, we reached a deal on NAFTA. The Conservatives wanted Canada to back down, but the Liberal team… https://t.co/nl54zyrFTi— Justin Trudeau (@Justin Trudeau) 1569965934.0
So far, the Liberals have raised taxes for the wealthiest 1% and will continue to invest in what they call a "stronger middle class."
The Liberals have promised to cut the costs of cell phone bills by 25%.
They will lower the tax of incorporating a small business to 9%.
They oppose a single income tax return for the province.
Environment
The Liberals will give a 50% tax cut to businesses that invest in green technology.
The Liberals promised to plant 2 billion trees and have declared a climate emergency in Canada. A Liberal government would not construct a pipeline in Quebec.
Justin Trudeau also recently announced an ambitious plan that would see Canada phase-out all coal power by 2030 and be a net-zero emissions country by 2050.
Housing
The Liberals initiated the First-Time Home Buyer Incentive, which gives people up to 10% toward the purchase price of their first home in the form of a mortgage, according to the CBC.
They want to build 100,000 new affordable housing units in the next decade and plan to retrofit 1.5 million homes to run on clean energy.
Bill 21 & Quebec
@iciChristine Le secret d’une bonne poutine – pour certains, ce sont les frites; pour d’autres, la sauce. D'après-m… https://t.co/AlWQgzy8ew— Justin Trudeau (@Justin Trudeau) 1568514297.0
Justin Trudeau has been highly critical of Bill 21 but doesn't think that it would be wise for the federal government to get involved. Though, he supports the right of individuals to challenge the law in court.
Public Transportation
The government already announced that they would fund the much-needed blue line extension. They will also fund the construction of a tramway in Quebec City.
The Liberals will add an additional $3 billion to public transit spending starting in 2023.
Stay tuned for more party platforms from MTL Blog!
Missed one? Click the links below to check out all the party platforms.
Conservative Party Platform
Green Party Platform
NDP Platform (coming soon!)