INDEPTH: PAUL MARTIN
Issues
CBC News Online | Updated December 12, 2003
Paul Martin describes the role of the government as providing "public goods." Below are some of his plans on how he would do that.
New Deal for Cities
Martin has pledged what he calls a "new deal" for cities. He has said a portion of the current federal gas tax should go to the cities and towns where it is collected. As it stands, Ottawa receives 10 cents on every litre of gas sold across the country. That adds up to $5 billion a year. Municipalities want half of that.The Liberals' election platform promised $4 billion to $5 billion in gas tax money for cities over the next five years, but Martin's government has said Ottawa will have to negotiate with the provinces on how the money will be spent.
Parliamentary reform
In his speech at the Liberal leadership convention, Martin said "MPs must have an independent voice. With more free votes and more freedom to speak for their constituents. So, too, they must act as guarantors of the public trust – overseeing government actions, ensuring its integrity and holding to account the decisions taken." In the past, Martin has also pledged to introduce an independent ethics commissioner, to have more independent parliamentary committees and to renew the system for private members' bills.
Relationship with the provinces
The same weekend he was chosen leader, Martin met with provincial premiers at the Grey Cup in Regina. At that meeting, he promised to meet with them every year. He said everyone at the table will have a say in the agenda and the first meeting will focus on health care reform.That meeting resulted in the signing of a 10-year, $41-billion health deal with the provinces. Martin has also said the provinces should be involved in discussions on the role of cities in Canada.
Economy
Martin has pledged to reduce the national debt to 25 per cent of GDP, from 40 per cent. But he has also said he wants to lower taxes and put a cap on spending increases. "It is absolutely essential that we continue to lower our national debt load, in order to keep our interest rates low, continue to lower taxes and keep the flexibility we need to respond to an unpredictable international economy," he told the Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal in September 2003. He says he would not cut overall social spending. "We certainly have the intention of looking over spending. But it's something that should occur annually," he said in October 2003. Martin has had to amend his thinking on lower taxes after estimates of the federal surplus shrank. There's no longer talk in the Martin camp of lower taxes, now it's about chopping programs.
Spending
Martin says his priorities are early childhood development, disabilities, better health care and a better quality of life for aboriginals. In the spring of 2003, he called for more spending on the military. But after estimates of the federal surplus were revised downward, Martin said he might axe some earlier pledges such as the $700 million for Via Rail. His government's first budget included $300 million for the military missions in Afghanistan and Haiti, the creation of a federal health agency, a GST rebate to municipalities that will cost an estimated $7 billion over 10 years and $400 million for the cleanup of Canada's contaminated sites.
R & D
Martin says the development of technology industries could drive growth in the Canadian economy. He says strengthening those industries and learning to "work smarter" will be keys to lasting prosperity. He has repeatedly talked about increased spending on research and development, and more money for post-secondary research institutions. "We have to make sure that Canada is firmly positioned on the cutting edge of a global economy whose pace is set by new technologies, by new start-ups, and most of all by the creativity and the ingenuity of individual endeavour," Martin told the Montreal Board of Trade in September 2003.
Health
Martin has said health care is one of his top priorities. His government's first budget called for the creation of the Canada Public Health Agency, similar to the U.S. Centres for Disease Control, to deal with emergencies such as SARS and avian flu, at a cost of $400 million. And his first meeting with the heads of Canada's provinces resulted in the signing of a 10-year, $41-billion health deal. He has also called for a standard way to measure improvements in high-concern areas such as waiting lists.
Foreign policy
Martin says he wants to improve relations with the U.S., but avoid a too-close relationship. He's expected to appoint a new ambassador to Washington with demonstrated political skills. He will also create a new cabinet committee, chaired by himself, to oversee Canada-U.S. relations. He will likely push for the G-20 to become an annual leaders summit. Martin says multilateralism is the key to dealing with issues in the global community.
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