Major party leaders go head to head in a debate before the federal election
October 2015
The leader of the New Democratic Party (NDP) Tom Mulcair, promised to solve the problem of First Nations’ lack of clean drinking water at a VICE Canada LIVE taping at The Great Hall on Tuesday in Toronto. “I don’t accept that in a country as wealthy as Canada, that First Nations live in abject third world conditions. We’re gonna fix that,” said Mulcair.
Ninety-three First Nations communities are living in poverty with no access to clean drinking water. In 2015 alone, these communities have had 133 boil water advisories.
Liberal party leader Justin Trudeau, who was also interviewed live by Vice Canada on a separate occasion at The Great Hall in Toronto on October 5, plans to put an end to this problem within five years. The difference between the Liberal plan and the NDP’s is that the NDP says it will fulfill the same promise in seven to eight years. “We should be a country that sets a high
standard,” Trudeau says, hinting that prolonging the process may not be the best decision.
A greener Canada is also up for debate. Mulcair, a former Quebec environment minister, says he wants to change the Charter of Rights and Freedoms of the country so that Canadians may live in a cleaner environment. He also says he wants to bring back the climate change bill proposed by the late Jack Layton. According to the NDP platform, they will make investments to lower energy costs, and support green infrastructure in Canadian towns and cities. The NDP says they will partner with local leaders to promote sustainable development projects and cleaner transit, seeking to become stable, reliable partners with the communities.
As stated in the Conservative platform, Harper continues to support new energy pipelines which will bring Alberta crude to global markets.
According to the National Post, Trudeau who spoke in Trois Rivieres, Que., on
September 2, detailed how the Liberals plan to stimulate the economy by investing in greener infrastructure. “We will invest in things that will make your life better, like waste-water treatment plants and improved storm drain systems, and ensure resilient infrastructure that can withstand the more frequent extreme weather events coming our way.”
“We’ve also committed $20 billion over ten years on green infrastructure, which includes specifically water-related issues including in First Nations communities,” Trudeau says during the town hall interview on October 5.
To build on that, Trudeau said, “I look forward to Quebecers realizing that Mr. Mulcair is promising the same approach as Mr. Harper on the economy. He is committed to balancing the budget at all costs even though he knows, like Mr. Harper, that that’s going to be impossible.”
As stated in the Liberal platform, “Justin Trudeau has vowed to set national targets, but allow provinces to design their own emissions-reduction systems, and pledged $2-billion for the Low Carbon Economy Trust, which will give funding to projects that reduce carbon emissions.”
According to the Conservative platform, Harper promises to pledge $700 million for light-rail transit in B.C, putting his support behind the oil industry, pushing for new pipelines.
