Strategies for a more just and sustainable economy
REDUCTION OF CANADA'S DEBT

Some problems

Globalization, as we now know it, is truly nothing other than the perpetuation of capitalism at its most imperialistic and primitive.

What we mean by this is that globalization is a project of privatization controlled completely by large corporations. The result? An increase in poverty, alienation, inequality, and environmental devastation. This sort of globalization has been most notably facilitated by such organizations as the IMF, the WTO, World Bank, and the G8.

We are not opposed to globalization as such. What we are opposed to is the globalization of ruthless capitalism. We are opposed to the globalization of poverty, exclusion, and war. We are in favour of a different sort of globalization: a globalization of world citizenship and solidarity.

Some solutions

In the course of a first mandate, we will position Canada as a leader of an alternative sort of globalization. It is most important that we completely re-evaluate global institutions such as the UN, WTO, IMF, and the World Bank. Globalization must be political and social, not simply economic.

A proposed by the Lisbon Group, we should adopt, along with the rest of the planet, four great worldwide social contracts:

• The fundamental needs contract: suppression of inequalities;
• The cultural contract: tolerance and dialogue between different cultures;
• The democratic contract: towards a system of world governance;
• The earth contract: sustainable development.

We should encourage new debates on the role and the processes of the UN. The UN ought to become more democratic and transparent: ought not the general assembly be elected through universal suffrage (and by a form of proportional representation)? We ought to work towards abolishing the vetos in the Security Council. We should see to assuring that the UNšs many social accords as well as its organizations such as the International Labour Organization have their powers constrained.

The IMF and the World Bank must be completely restructured and ought to become more transparent. They should fall under the control of a new United Nations.

We should work in a multilateral manner in order to protect our ecological inheritance. We should ratify and enforce the Kyoto accord. We should just as importantly encourage the international community to invest in technologies that are less environmentally destructive.

We ought to position Canada as a leader of a different type of globalization based upon the following principles (inspired by the organization CAP-Monde):

• The power of states to respond to the needs of their own jurisdictions, particularly in regards to their public services;
• The equality of men and women;
• The equality of all peoples;
• Respect for indigenous peoples, national or cultural minorities;
• Sustainable development and agricultural self-sufficiency;
• Equitable trade;
• Taxation of financial transactions;
• An end to the structural adjustment programs of the IMF;
• The reduction and ultimate elimination of third-world debt;
• Regulation of banks and financial institutions;
• The abandonment of military politics.