PROGRAM

Even as we support the majority of NDP policies, we consider the following elements, which we believe constitute crucial issues for the renewal of Canadian democratic socialism in the 21st century.

Rethinking and reinventing government

We must rethink the role of government. We must rethink complete aspects of current public practices - social security, economic development - in the context of the decline of the Keynesian welfare state. The main question is not, as many on the left and right would argue, the size of government. The real question is what role can government play to support the creation of an alternative society. We must have new strategies which are adapted for each level of power: local, provincial, federal, international. We reject a centralized bureaucratic government. We also reject a meaningless, powerless government that cedes all sovereignty to transnational corporations and international speculators. We want a government in partnership with civil society, inspiring and coordinating profound changes in economic and social structures and, with that, bringing about greater social justice, democracy, citizen participation and solidarity.

Rethinking the public and political spheres

Democratic socialism is not statism. We must completely rethink the relationship between government and civil society. We must support greater citizen participation through various forms of direct democracy. In order for this to be done we need a more transparent and accessible state. This will require decentralisation of our federal institutions in order to allow for greater democratic local control. Hence, we need a strong government that will coordinate the state apparatus and that will guarantee greater democracy. We must also evaluate the role that the media play in the political process.

Therefore in our first mandate we will lay the groundwork for this new vision by :

• Adopting a systematic and democratic process of consultation with civil society around government priorities ;
• Adopting a binding Code of Ethics that will ensure greater transparency of federal institutions ;
• Adopting an electoral system based on proportional representation and preferential voting ;
• Adopting a public system of political party financing ;
• Promoting media diversity by challenging corporate media monopolies.

Strategies for a more just and sustainable economy

A more equitable and democratic economy implies firm action on the part of government and responsibility from all. We must think in terms of ecologically, socially and fiscally sustainable development. In order to accomplish this we must encourage investment in the real economy and discourage frivolous speculative investments that do not create any real wealth for society.

Therefore in our first mandate we will lay the groundwork for this new vision by :

• Developing social indicators in order to evaluate the social performance of business ;
• Creating a fund for investing in green technologies financed by a pollution tax ;
• Reducing personal debt and reforming the banking system in order to give individuals greater rights when dealing with powerul financial institutions ;
• Making reducation of Canada's debt a priority in the short to middle term as a way of achieving economic and political sovereignty.

Building the alternative : democratize the economy and the workplace

Social, political and economic democracy are at the heart of democratic socialism. Democratizing the economy and the workplace means giving communities and workers democratic power over the means of production and investment. We must support alternative and collective forms of ownership while pursuing a full-employment strategy. Our full-employment strategy must be within the context of a truly mixed and pluralistic economy.

Therefore in our first mandate we will lay the groundwork for this new vision by :

• Supporting alternative modes of ownership such as cooperative and social ownership by creating a Ministry of cooperative development and community economic development ;
• Adopting a program for workplace democracy (worker representative on management boards, promotion of workplace self-management) and promote a partnership between business, labour government and civil society ;
• Adopting a pan-Canadian strategy for the reduction of the work week as well as work sharing in order to pursue full-employment.

Strategies for local development

Government cannot and should not do everything. Communities must take charge of their own economic development with the assistance of government. Community power with the assistance of an economically sovereign government in a world of interdependance and coopertaion is the alternative to the neoliberal form of corporate controlled globalization. It is time we put the motto "act locally, think globally" into practice.

Therefore in our first mandate we will lay the groundwork for this new vision by :

• Creating cooperative local investment funds to invest, under democratic community control, in local projects ;
• Investing in autonomous organizations that support local and community economic development;

Tax reform and social safety

We must review our social programs in order to transform them into a springboard of social development. We should establish a universal social system that is based on simplicity, equity and solidarity.

Therefore in our first mandate we will lay the groundwork for this new vision by :

• Introducing a universal citizen's income that will be universally and unconditionally allocated to each citizen for life ;
• Overhauling the taxation system in terms of tax brackets.

Prioritize quality of life and prevention

Government should not only address the effects of social problems ; it must attack their causes. Prevention, whether in health or social matters, should be a priority. Also, health problems should be treated as such. We must focus on the quality of life of citizens.

Therefore in our first mandate we will lay the groundwork for this new vision by :

• Pursuing a zero poverty strategy through our policies, especially for the 20 % of the population with the lowest income ;
• Supporting local initiatives by the better financing and empowering of community organizations ;
• Legalize soft drugs and decriminalize the cunsumption of hard drugs, while promoting and reinvesting in prevention and treatment of drug abuse ;
• Reinvesting in health and education, in the framework of the Social union with the provinces, and focusing on bettering the quality of life of all.

Cooperative and asymetrical federalism

The constitutional question cannot be separated from our vision of the New Canada: we must view the national unity question as a social issue. We proudly defend the NDP's position on constitutional matters. Canadian federalism must evolve towards a social and cooperative model that respects the multinational character of Canada.

Therefore in our first mandate we will lay the groundwork for this new vision by :

• Recognizing the principle of cooperative federalism with a social union that includes the accord of each province with respect to new federal norms;
• Recognizing the principle of asymmetry in order to encompass the linguistic and cultural differences of the Quebec nation within the Canadian federation;
• Recognize self-government for the aboriginal nations of Canada and do away with the colonialist Indian Act.

Peace, equity and global solidarity

The social democratic movement must turn, more than ever, to the global, world level. Development based on justice and solidarity must be the foundation of a world of peace and cooperation. We are not against globalization ; we are for a different globalization, a globalization of justice, of fair trade and ecological sustainability.

Therefore in our first mandate we will lay the groundwork for this new vision by :

• Working multilaterally to ensure the inclusion of work, economic, social, cultural and environmental standards to any new commercial accord of the Americas ;
• Positioning Canada as a world leader in a profound reform of global political institutions like the UN, the IMF and the World Bank.