The auto sector, and the workers and communities that depend on it, matter – and New Democrats will always fight for them. A New Democrat government will urgently convene an auto summit with provincial, municipal, industry and labour leaders to develop a consensus on a National Automotive Strategy to attract and retain jobs and investment. This strategy will make sure that Canadian product lines and manufacturing processes are adapted to meet changing consumer needs and evolving realities in the manufacturing industry – while protecting workers for the long term.
We will also restore the Automotive Innovation Fund and make contributions to automakers tax-free to help secure next generation production capacity. And we will commission an independent study into the causes and consequences of the trade deficit in automotive products with Mexico, along with potential strategies for reducing it.
New Democrats will help Canadian industry lead in the development and manufacturing of the vehicles of tomorrow. We’ll work with labour and industry to make sure that Canadian workers have the skills they need to benefit from the adoption of these new technologies – and drive demand by ensuring that federal incentives for zero-emissions automobiles prioritize made-in-Canada vehicles. Buying Canadian-made zeroemissions cars for government fleets will help us lead by example on sustainability, while creating good jobs here at home.
Finally, in a manner consistent with its arms-length commercial status, a New Democrat government will give Export Development Canada a stronger mandate to recruit and retain investment in automotive plants and export-focused manufacturing here in Canada.
From A New Deal for People, retrieved 2019-09-22.
their government. But that’s exactly what many
autoworkers and their families feel today. And
it’s the result of the choices made by Liberal
and Conservative governments.
For years, New Democrats, labour unions
and automakers have pressured successive
Liberal and Conservative governments for a
National Auto Strategy to support Canada’s
direct assembly and supply chain automotive
economy. This is urgent now more than ever,
as we see the devastation caused by the
closure of the General Motors Oshawa Car
Assembly plant and layoffs at the Chrysler-Fiat
plant in Windsor.
But instead of acting, this Liberal government
has given up on the auto sector. They
cancelled the Automotive Investment Fund
and sat on recommendations to protect jobs
from Canada’s “auto czar”, dragging their feet
for the last four years while thousands of
Canadians lost their jobs.
The auto sector, and the workers and
communities that depend on it, matter –
and New Democrats will always fight for
them. A New Democrat government will
urgently convene an auto summit with
provincial, municipal, industry and labour
leaders to develop a consensus on a National
Automotive Strategy to attract and retain jobs
and investment. This strategy will make sure
that Canadian product lines and manufacturing
processes are adapted to meet changing
consumer needs and evolving realities in the
manufacturing industry – while protecting
workers for the long term.
We will also restore the Automotive Innovation
Fund and make contributions to automakers
tax-free to help secure next generation
production capacity. And we will commission
an independent study into the causes and
consequences of the trade deficit in
automotive products with Mexico, along
with potential strategies for reducing it.
A New Democrat government would immediately put in place a universal qualifying threshold of 360 hours to make sure that many more Canadians can access benefits, no matter what kind of work they do – and restore the appeals system to make decisions fast and fair.
New Democrats understand that seasonal workers face particular challenges accessing EI. To help Canadians in seasonal industries bridge the cap between the end of EI and the start of seasonal work, we'll bring back the former Extra Five Weeks pilot project and make it permanent, and we will restore the economic regions in the territories and PEI to their 2014 boundaries.
Parental leave should be available for all Canadian families, in the way that works best for them. Eighteen months of leave is an attractive option for many parents, but not many Canadians can afford to live on just 33 percent of their salary. New Democrats will bring in a new special leave that allows parents to take shorter parental leave at a higher replacement rate. We'll also allow self-employed workers to opt-into parental benefits at any time before taking the leave, and move to double leave for parents of multiples.
To help make ends meet while on EI, we'll increase the income replacement rate to 60 percent – and create a low income supplement so that no one receiving EI regular or special benefits receives less than $1,200 a month.
For many Canadians who need to rely on EI when they're dealing with an illness, the current system falls far short and doesn't provide flexibility to support those who do want to work when they can. To make sure that Canadians can count on EI when they're dealing with a serious illness, a New Democrat government will extend sickness benefits to 50 weeks, expand access to re-training, and create a pilot project to allow workers with episodic disabilities to access EI sickness benefits periodically, as they need them.
Finally we will also protect the EI Operating Account in law, so that future governments can't raid it for general revenue.
From A New Deal for People, retrieved 2019-09-22.
It’s time to make EI work for Canadians. A
New Democrat government would immediately
put in place a universal qualifying threshold
of 360 hours to make sure that many more
Canadians can access benefits, no matter
what kind of work they do – and restore the
appeals system to make decisions fast
and fair.
New Democrats understand that seasonal
workers face particular challenges accessing
EI. To help Canadians in seasonal industries
bridge the gap between the end of EI and the
start of seasonal work, we’ll bring back the
former Extra Five Weeks pilot project and
make it permanent, and we will restore the
economic regions in the territories and PEI
to their 2014 boundaries.
Parental leave should be available for all
Canadian families, in the way that works
best for them. Eighteen months of leave is
an attractive option for many parents, but
not many Canadians can afford to live on
just 33 percent of their salary. New Democrats
will bring in a new special leave that allows
parents to take shorter parental leave at a
higher replacement rate. We’ll also allow
self-employed workers to opt-into parental
benefits at any time before taking the leave,
and move to double leave for parents
of multiples.
To help make ends meet while on EI, we’ll
increase the income replacement rate to
60 percent – and create a low income
supplement so that no one receiving EI
regular or special benefits receives less
than $1,200 a month.
For many Canadians who need to rely on EI
when they’re dealing with an illness, the current
system falls far short and doesn’t provide
flexibility to support those who do want to work
when they can. To make sure that Canadians
can count on EI when they’re dealing with a
serious illness, a New Democrat government
will extend sickness benefits to 50 weeks,
expand access to re-training, and create a
pilot project to allow workers with episodic
disabilities to access EI sickness benefits
periodically, as they need them.
Finally, we will also protect the EI Operating
Account in law, so that future governments
can’t raid it for general revenue.
We will also work with Statistics Canada to strengthen local labour market data, so that Employment Insurance can better reflect local labour market realities, especially in large and diverse regions.
From Forward, retrieved 2019-10-01.
To help people whose jobs and livelihoods are affected when disaster strikes, we will move forward with a new Employment Insurance Disaster Assistance Benefit, to be developed in consultation with experts, workers, and employers. This new benefit will launch in 2021 and will help replace the income that is lost when families need to temporarily stop working to protect their homes, or because they need to relocate to safety.
From Forward, retrieved 2019-10-01.
New Democrats believe that small
businesses should have access to all the
support they need to grow, innovate and stay
competitive in Canada and around the world.
That’s why we have stood up for lower small
business taxes, opposed unfair merchant
fees, and fought to make it easier to pass
on small businesses to the next generation.
In government, New Democrats will keep
working hard for small businesses to tackle
issues that impact their bottom line, like
high credit card merchant fees. Our plan
for public, universal pharmacare will also
save businesses approximately $600 per
employee with extended health benefits
every year – and it means that all small
businesses can feel confident knowing
that their employees are able to access
the prescription drugs they need.
We’ll also make it easier for the family business
to be passed on to future generations, with new
legislation to end the unfair tax treatment of
family transfers of small businesses.
To help Canadian small business step out on
the world stage, a New Democrat government
will streamline access to government export
services and make it simpler to break into
foreign markets. We’ll also provide small- and
medium-sized businesses with a single point
of contact to help ease regulatory processes
and support compliance - freeing up time
for entrepreneurs to invest in growing
their business.
Recognizing that a shortage of workers is
a major barrier for many small businesses
operating in rural areas, we’ll make important
new investments in training Canadians and
boost support to traditionally underemployed
groups, ensuring that they can access good
jobs that pay a fair wage.
cutting the cost of federal incorporation by 75 per cent, to $50 from $200
eliminating all fees from the Business Development Bank of Canada, Export Development Canada, and Farm Credit Canada, for business advisory services like mentorship and training
eliminating the “swipe fee” on HST and GST for credit transactions – which will save businesses nearly $500 million a year in fees, according to the Canadian Federation of Independent Business;
implementing a voluntary, real-time e-payroll system to automate records of employment so that small businesses no longer have to submit detailed records to Service Canada; and
giving $250 to every new business looking to expand their online services
From Forward, retrieved 2019-10-01.
Repeal Trudeau’s tax increases on small business investments
Exempt spouses from Trudeau’s tax increases on small business dividends
Make it easier to navigate Canada’s tax system and the Canada Revenue Agency
Reduce federal regulations by 25 per cent
Implement a 2-for-1 rule for new regulations
Assign a Minister reporting directly to the Prime Minister to lead red tape reduction efforts
Mandate ministers and regulators to support innovation, economic growth, and global competitiveness
Champion Canada’s small businesses to the world
From Scheer pledges support to small businesses, retrieved 2019-10-08.
New Democrats support fair trade that broadens opportunity in all areas of the country while protecting our industries and upholding labour standards, environmental protections and human rights. That’s why we’ll always defend Canadian workers in trade negotiations, protect supply management and stand up against unfair tariffs.
We’re committed to improving the transparency of trade negotiations, so that Canadians can clearly understand the costs and benefits of any proposed agreement and have their say before it’s signed. That’s why a New Democrat government will directly engage with Canadians on the expected costs and benefits of potential trade deals, as well as ensure that all trade agreements are consistent with the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. We will evaluate all potential trade deals for their social, environmental and gendered impact on Canadians.
When it comes to what’s on the negotiating table, Canadians know that there are some things that we shouldn’t be willing to compromise on, like investor-state dispute settlement measures that hand too much power to corporations and undermine the rules that keep us safe and healthy. Trade agreements should have enforceable labour, human rights and environmental protections – and New Democrats will always protect Canadians against measures that could increase the cost of pharmaceuticals, weaken our cultural protections, or undermine privacy rights.
A New Democrat government will also do more to defend Canadian workers and, communities from unfair trading practices. We will modernize Canada’s trade remedy system and make sure that trade unions have full standing in trade cases and the ability to initiate trade disputes, as is the case in other countries.
From A New Deal for People, retrieved 2019-09-22.
And to make sure that Canadian exporters have the help they need when they need it, we will give Canadian companies facing commercial or trade disputes abroad immediate, on-the-ground help through a Canada Commercial Consular Service.
From Forward, retrieved 2019-09-30.
Revamp national trade policy to align with national and international climate change plans. This includes reducing the distances over which food is shipped by increasing domestic and local food production.
Protect supply management and ensure that products which are banned in Canada are not imported in food from other countries, for example bovine growth hormone in milk products.
Facilitate a global effort to reform the World Trade Organization. Building on General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) article XX, which was always intended to insulate legislated domestic conservation efforts from trade disciplines, revamp the World Trade Organization to the World Trade and Climate Organization to ensure that trade is consistent with a global carbon budget. Tariffs will be assigned based on the carbon intensity of imported products.
Renegotiate Canada’s trade and investment agreements to remove the Investor State Dispute Settlement (ISDS) provisions that give foreign corporations extraordinary powers to challenge the laws and policies of democratically elected governments, and include binding labour, health, safety and environmental standards.
From Election Platform 2019, retrieved 2019-09-22.
A New Democrats have the courage to stand
up for you and increase consumer protection
for financial transactions, and require financial
advisors to offer advice that is in your best
financial interest, not what is best for the
bank’s bottom line. We’ll also make sure that
you have the right to repair electronic devices
and other products at affordable prices,
expanding consumer choice, and cutting
down on waste.
From steel mills to auto plans to
to farms and high-tech companies, and
everything in between, Canadian industries
power our economy and sustain the jobs that
families across the country rely on. But for
too long, Liberal and Conservative governments
have ignored the need to support Canadian
industry, trading away advantages in trade
deals and failing to invest in the targeted
support that our industries need to thrive.
If we make the right choices now, we can
make Canada an even better place to invest,
protect and create good jobs for the future.
We can make Canadian industry a global
leader as market needs evolve. We’ll make
sure that Canadian workers are at the centre
of a robust strategy to drive innovation and
boost competitiveness, now and into the
future. And as we grow our clean energy
economy, we’ll protect and create good
jobs for families today – and tomorrow.
As a start, New Democrats will strengthen
and modernize the Investment Canada Act
to protect Canadian jobs and undo the
damage done by the Liberal government,
which has allowed more takeovers of
Canadian companies by foreign investors
without national security reviews. We’ll
scrap the failed Invest in Canada agency and
create iCanada, a one-stop shop inside the
federal government to help attract investors
to Canada and turn their plans into reality –
and champion Canadian industry on the
international stage.
Embed just transition principles in planning, legislative, regulatory and advisory processes to ensure ongoing and concrete actions throughout the fossil-fuel phase-out transition, including:
Ensure locally available supports, including funding the establishment and operation of locally-driven transition centres in affected communities.
Identify and fund local infrastructure projects in affected communities.
Provide a pathway to retirement by creating a pension bridging program for workers who will retire earlier than planned due to the phase out.
Transition workers to sustainable employment by:
From Election Platform 2019, retrieved 2019-09-22.
A New Democrat government will bring together all levels of government, together with business and labour leaders, to develop a national industrial strategy to build an advanced low carbon manufacturing economy in Canada that will provide good middle-class jobs to Canadian workers. We will also take measures to grow the domestic market for Canadian manufactured goods, and provide strategic supports to our long-neglected steel and aluminum industries to attract and retain jobs and investments in communities across the country.
When the Liberal government signed a new trade deal with the United States that contained damaging steel and aluminum tariffs, New Democrats fought alongside labour and the industry get the tariffs permanently removed – and won. But there is still much work to be done to protect Canadian jobs against the risk that the U.S. could impose new tariffs. For New Democrats, no tariffs against our steel or aluminum will ever be acceptable. That’s why we will adopt measures to stabilize the Canadian steel market, and protect the sector from predatory practices of foreign producers who are shut out of other markets.
Liberal and Conservative governments have failed to use Canadian government infrastructure procurement to support Canada’s manufacturing economy, and have often negotiated trade deals that put domestic procurement policies at risk. New Democrats will require the use of Canadian-made steel and aluminum for infrastructure projects across the country.
From A New Deal for People, retrieved 2019-09-22.
New Democrats know that this sector and
these jobs are vital for so many communities
across the country. We are committed to
fighting for a strong and robust future for
Canadian manufacturing.
A New Democrat government will bring
together all levels of government, together
with business and labour leaders, to develop
a national industrial strategy to build an
advanced low carbon manufacturing economy
in Canada that will provide good middle-class
jobs to Canadian workers. We will also take
measures to grow the domestic market for
Canadian manufactured goods, and provide
strategic supports to our long-neglected steel
and aluminum industries to attract and retain
jobs and investments in communities across
the country.
When the Liberal government signed a
new trade deal with the United States that
contained damaging steel and aluminum
tariffs, New Democrats fought alongside
labour and the industry get the tariffs
permanently removed – and won. But there
is still much work to be done to protect
Canadian jobs against the risk that the U.S.
could impose new tariffs. For New Democrats,
no tariffs against our steel or aluminum will
ever be acceptable. That’s why we will adopt
measures to stabilize the Canadian steel
market, and protect the sector from predatory
practices of foreign producers who are shut
out of other markets.
Liberal and Conservative governments
have failed to use Canadian government
infrastructure procurement to support
Canada’s manufacturing economy, and have
often negotiated trade deals that put domestic
procurement policies at risk. New Democrats
will require the use of Canadian-made steel
and aluminum for infrastructure projects
across the country.
New Democrats will work with the provinces to launch a national basic income pilot project in addition to continuing Ontario’s program, in order to gather data about this approach to tackling income precarity.
For too long, the Liberal and Conservative
governments refused to take action on low
wages. It’s not okay that Canadians can get up
every morning and work 40 hours a week, yet
still live below the poverty line. New Democrats
believe that everyone deserves a living wage –
and in government, we’ll put in place a federal
minimum wage of $15 an hour that will cover
over 900,000 workers. Not only will this help
hundreds of thousands of workers, it will also
set a national standard for a fair, living wage. New Democrats will work with the provinces
to launch a national basic income pilot project,
in addition to continuing Ontario’s program, to
gather data about this approach to tackling
income precarity.
Establish a universal Guaranteed Livable Income (GLI) program to replace the current array of income supports, such as disability payments, social assistance and income supplements for seniors. Building on the MBM, payment would be set at a “livable” level for different regions of the country. The negotiation to implement a livable income across the country would take place through the Council of Canadian Governments. Unlike existing income support programs, additional income would not be clawed back. Those earning above a certain total income would pay the GLI back in taxes.
From Election Platform 2019, retrieved 2019-09-22.
Right now, without access to benefits like
extended health coverage and dental care,
temporary workers earn roughly 75 per cent
of what permanent employees do – a divide
that hits the most vulnerable and precarious
workers hardest, and gives employers an
incentive to limit the number of full-time
positions they offer. We don’t think that’s
right, and we will put in place rules to require
that part-time and contract workers be
compensated equally to full-time workers
[...] we will make sure that pensioners are at the front of the line when a company goes bankrupt, and make sure unfunded pension liabilities owed to workers and employees’ severance pay are the top priority for repayment.
We’ll stop companies from paying out dividends and bonuses when pensions are under-funded and we’ll create a mandatory, industry-financed pension insurance program to make sure that no worker is deprived of the retirement benefits they’ve earned.
The federal government has a critical role to play in protecting defined benefit pensions across the country. The Liberals’ openness to target benefit plans in the public sector, which don’t guarantee stable benefits for retirees, puts defined benefits at risk for all Canadians – and we will immediately put a stop to this chipping away of retirement security.
We are committed to strengthening public pensions and improving retirement security for all Canadians. A New Democrat government will create a Pension Advisory Commission to develop a long-term plan to protect and enhance Old Age Security, boost the Guaranteed Income Supplement, and strengthen the Canada Pension Plan. We’ll also make automatic enrollment (sic) in OAS and GIS retroactive, so no retiree misses out on benefits that they should be receiving, and we will support efforts to make sure Canadians have good retirement financial literacy.
From A New Deal for People, retrieved 2019-09-22.
New Democrats believe that every Canadian
should be able to count on a dignified, secure
retirement – and we’ll fight hard to protect
pensions that workers have earned. To that
end, we will make sure that pensioners are
at the front of the line when a company
goes bankrupt – making sure unfunded
pension liabilities owed to workers, and
employees’ severance pay, are the top
priority for repayment.
We’ll stop companies from paying out
dividends and bonuses when pensions are
under-funded, and we’ll create a mandatory,
industry-financed pension insurance program
to make sure that no worker is deprived of the
retirement benefits they’ve earned.
The federal government has a critical role to
play in protecting defined benefit pensions
across the country. The Liberals’ openness to
target benefit plans in the public sector, which
don’t guarantee stable benefits for retirees,
puts defined benefits at risk for all Canadians
– and we will immediately put a stop to this
chipping away of retirement security.
We are committed to strengthening public
pensions and improving retirement security
for all Canadians. A New Democrat government
will create a Pension Advisory Commission
to develop a long-term plan to protect and
enhance Old Age Security, boost the
Guaranteed Income Supplement, and
strengthen the Canada Pension Plan. We’ll
also make automatic enrollment in OAS and
GIS retroactive, so no retiree misses out on
benefits that they should be receiving, and
support efforts to make sure Canadians have
good retirement financial literacy.
Ensure the Canada Pension Plan (CPP) remains robust and adaptive to changing needs and circumstances by increasing over time the target income replacement rate from 25 per cent to 50 per cent of income received during working years.
Regulate the CPP Investment Board to require divestment of coal, oil and gas shares and ensure that all investments are ethical and promote environmental sustainability.
Protect private pensions by amending the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act and Companies’ Creditors Arrangement Act to establish the preeminence of pensioners and the pension plan in the creditor hierarchy during company insolvency proceedings.
From Election Plan 2019, retrieved 2019-09-22.
A core component of our approach is enshrining the right to housing in law and starting work now with a goal of ending homelessness in Canada within a decade. In a country as wealthy as Canada, there is no excuse to leave any Canadian living in poverty without a safe roof over their head.
Our affordable housing strategy will include measures to support Canadians at risk of becoming homeless, take the lead from communities about local needs, and adopt a “housing first” approach. To help people find an affordable home in the long term, we will support the creation of more social housing and other affordable options.
Poor health and poverty are linked and a national pharmacare program will mean that all Canadians can access the prescription medicine they need, regardless of their income, or address. Better access to mental health and addictions support will also form a key part of our approach to tackling poverty.
New Democrats will work with the provinces to launch a national basic income pilot project in addition to continuing Ontario’s program, in order to gather data about this approach to tackling income precarity. Developing a national, public, universal child care program is also critical for lifting women and their families out of poverty and is an important way to give all kids a good start in early learning.
Finally, making sure that all Canadians can access healthy, affordable food is a cornerstone of our Canadian food strategy. A national school nutrition program will make sure that no child enters their classroom hungry. Children should always have access to healthy food and the ability to concentrate on learning. In addition, New Democrats will ensure that a reformed Nutrition North program is able to better respond to the needs of Northern families, to put an end to chronic food insecurity in the North.
From A New Deal for People, retrieved 2019-09-22.
We need the courage – and meaningful action
– to build a Canada without poverty, where all
Canadians can count on quality public services
and community supports to help them lead
dignified lives. A core component of our
approach is enshrining the right to housing
in law, and starting work now with a goal of
ending homelessness in Canada within a
decade. In a country as wealthy as Canada,
there is no excuse to leave any Canadian
living in poverty or without a safe roof over
their head.
Our affordable housing strategy will include
measures to support Canadians at risk of
becoming homeless, taking the lead from
communities about local needs and adopting
a “housing first” approach. To help people find
an affordable home in the long term, we will
support the creation of more social housing
and other affordable options.
Poor health and poverty are linked, and a
national pharmacare program will mean that
all Canadians can access the prescription
medicine they need, regardless of their income
or address. Better access to mental health and
addictions support will also form a key part of
our approach to tackling poverty.
New Democrats will work with the provinces
to launch a national basic income pilot project,
in addition to continuing Ontario’s program, to
gather data about this approach to tackling
income precarity. Developing a national, public,
universal child care program is also critical for
lifting women and their families out of poverty,
and an important way to give all kids a good
start in early learning.
Our vision is one where communities can afford to build the infrastructure they need to thrive, from roads and bridges to community centres and child care centres, and everything in between. These investments will create good jobs in every part of the country. To get there, we will partner with provinces, territories, First Nations, and municipalities to deliver reliable public infrastructure funding that puts people – not profit – first. By using Community Benefit Agreements, we will guarantee that good jobs, training, apprenticeships, and support for local businesses are part of every infrastructure project.
When it comes to getting around, public transit should be a convenient and affordable option that makes your commute easier, all while taking cars off the road, cutting emissions, and reducing gridlock. New Democrats understand that getting our communities moving is critical for our economy and our quality of life. 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. We’ll also step up investments now to help cities transition their bus fleets to electric and to expand affordable rail and bus options in all parts of the country. And for municipalities that make it a priority, a New Democrat government will work with them towards fare-free transit to ease commutes and make life more affordable.
Nothing is more important than having a place to call home. No matter who you are, you need a safe and affordable place to live and raise your family. But Canadians across the country are facing a housing crisis and we need a government that gets back to work building new affordable housing to help confront it. A New Democrat government will partner with provinces and municipalities to create half a million units of affordable housing over the next ten years. This will include social housing, community, and non-market housing, as well as co-ops. We’ll also streamline the application process and immediately provide dedicated fast-start funds to help communities get the expertise and assistance they need to get projects off the ground now, not years from now. Wherever possible, we’ll encourage provinces to work with social enterprises to make sure that the training and jobs associated with building affordable housing go to those who need opportunities the most.
As the impacts of climate change are felt across the country, New Democrats believe that all levels of government have to step up to help communities cope with the impacts of extreme weather. That’s why a New Democrat government will expand federal funding to respond to disasters and support communities in proactively adapting their infrastructure to withstand floods, forest fires, and other extreme weather events. We will also partner with Canadians and communities to make serious investments in making buildings more energy efficient to help families save money and fight climate change.
In our digital age, technological infrastructure is more important than ever. That’s why we’re committed to making sure that every community in Canada has access to high-speed internet. We’ll also ensure that the right investments are made to expand cell phone coverage to all parts of the country, so that Canadians can stay connected – affordably – no matter where they are.
From A New Deal for People, retrieved 2019-09-22.
To make sure that the infrastructure that people and communities need is built, we will require that all provinces and territories identify and approve all 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.
From Forward, retrieved 2019-09-30.
- Set aside a separate fund for rural and remote communities.
Finally, public servants make incredible
contributions to our country – and they deserve
a government, and an employer, that treats
them with respect. New Democrats will replace
the failed Phoenix pay system brought in by
the Conservative and Liberal governments,
and ensure that impacted workers get fair
compensation. We will also work to reduce
the inefficient and costly practice of contracting
out government work, which has only grown
under the Liberal government, and we will
take action to put an end to harassment in
the federal workplace.
Entirely eliminating the backlog of outstanding pay issues for public servants as a result of the Phoenix pay system, so that they can focus on their work and not on resolving long-standing payroll problems;
Reducing the time it takes to hire new public servants, with the goal of cutting in half the average time from ten to five months;
Improving project management capabilities, so that all major projects in government are led by a certified professional with at least five years of experience; and
Reducing the number of significant deficiencies identified by the Auditor General in subsequent follow-up audits of a department or program.
From Forward, retrieved 2019-09-30.
Respect the unionized employees of the federal public service and the bargaining process by rejecting back-to-work legislation as a bargaining tool.
Establish a federal Ombudsman to provide impartial and non-departmental help to harassed and demoralized employees.
From Election Platform 2019, retrieved 2019-09-22.
The rampant use of unpaid internships exposes
young workers to abuse. The Liberals promised
to end unfair unpaid internships, but nothing
has been done. A New Democrat government
will immediately ban unpaid internships
outside of education programs.