INTRODUCTION  The New Democratic Party believes that the destiny of Canada must be shed by its people.  The development o anada s vast resources, and the way in which the benefits should be shared, are matters which Canadians must decide through their own democratically-elected Parliament and legislatures. Canadians will not tolerate control by faceless corporations as a substitute for democracy.  New Democrats want to hand on to the children of Canada a new society, where excessive privilege and wealth for the few will be replaced by equal opportunities for the many. A new society in a new world.  They want to create a society where the technological revolution-computers and automation -will be used to create an exciting environment in which greater knowledge and human fulfillment will enrich the quality of life for all.  They want to create a society where the individual will not be dominated by any organization, public or private, and where the dead weight of one bureaucracy will not be substituted for another.  To make such fundamental changes in society is an exciting project. Ordinary and extraordinary Canadians can join in the task of demonstrating the belief of the New Democratic Party that it is people who count.  I ESTABLISHING THE NEw TERMS OF CONFEDERATION  The most urgent task facing Canadians is to come to terms with the new conditions for our survival as one country. Canada was created and will be strengthened by a voluntary and renewing act of will on the part of both our founding races and of all who have shared with them in building this country.  The pace of change has made Confederation out of date in many important respects. Ending our present crisis means finding the new terms by which Canada can continue.  We must create our own constitution, embodying guarantees for the civil rights of all Canadians and the assurance that no one will suffer because he speaks just one of our two major languages.  We must ensure that French-speaking communities outside Quebec can claim the same language rights as the English-speaking minority in Quebec have enjoyed for over a century.  Confederation involves more than language and culture. It is a federal system, struggling to meet enormously expanded government responsibilities with financial resources allocated for the needs of a different age. The crisis of Confederation flows from the many solitudes-cultural, regional, social and economic-that are Canada.  Canadian federalism needs a central government able to give overall direction to our economy and to overcome regional disparities of wealth. Equally, our federal system demands that provinces (and municipalities) have the funds to meet their particular responsibilities. The costs of almost every new expansion of services, from super-highways to medicare, has fallen, in the first instance, on provincial governments.  A new basis for modern federalism means:  We must replace secret, hurried premiers' conferences with permanent machinery for consultation and co-operation, including a Federal-Provincial Planning and Development Council to make sure that the economic and social plans of our levels of government dovetail.  We must find new arrangements for making needed finances available to the provinces and promoting joint agreements to provide funds for broad objectives such as low-income housing, urban transportation or the fight against pollution of our air and water.  Our federal system must also have the flexibility to recognize the particular position accorded to Quebec since 1867 as the centre of the Frenchspeaking community in Canada. She must have the right and the funds to fulfill government responsibilities which affect the community-such s social security, education, town planning and community development.  By accepting this particular situation, Canadians elsewhere can seek federal action in these fields without creating misunderstanding, frustration and intolerable strains to our Confederation.  II A NEW INDUSTRIAL SOCIETY  Canadians are face to face with decisions which will determine our economic future.  We have gained our present prosperity largely by becoming an industrialized state. The condition for keeping our prosperity is accelerated economic growth and the rapid modernization and development of our industrial structure.  Canadians realize increasingly that these vital  goals cannot be achieved without effective economic planning, without vas ~y~ ex an e s en-t b'  and ec~itio"T~ resources and-wl- Hotli ut t t e powr to mad. ce Icey economic decisions for ourselves.  Economic Independence for Canada  New Democrats have become convinced that recovering economic independence is a crucial step in Securing our future prosperity. This is not a matter nationalism nor does it hinge merely on the foreign or domestic ownership of our industry and commerce. It does mean that Canadians must be free to plan and create the kind of economy that is suited to our needs.  A New Democratic government will seek economic independence for Canada by:  Increasing the democratic control of our economic activity by increased, government participation in appropriate phases o€ our industrial and commercial-life and by replacing the Economic Council by' a properly designed economic and social planning organization, involving federal and provincial governments.  Establishing a Canadian Capital, Resources Fund- (CCRF) controlled by the government, mobilizing Canadian capital for development and research and keeping Canadian savings at home. In addition to providing a logical place for the investments of corporations and insurance companies, the Fund would attract some of the savings now going to private pension plans, by selling group and individual annuities.  The capital resources of the Fund would be used for investments necessary to the overall development of our economy.  Part of the Fund would be used in universities and corporations and in financing and developing those innovations which will allow our industry to specialize and compete in world markets.  Science and Technology  Further advances in the Canadian economy and in the quality of life of our people depend on the progress of science and technology. Yet, partly as a consequence of our branch-plant economy and partly because of the indifference of our own Canadian government and industry, our investment in research and development has been proportionately smaller than that of any other advanced industrial state.  In addition to providing high quality scientific education, we must provide centres where graduates can use their knowledge and training and which can be the focal points of new sciencebased industries which must become the basis of our industrial growth.  An NDP government will establish a Department of Science and Technology with the task of:  to ing atific-technological research centres in co-operation with universities and industry to stimulate developments in fields of social concern or economic importance.  Creating a Canadian Research and Development Corporation to invest in, or develop, promising new inventions and industrial processes. In some cases, new crown corporations will be founded to use the new techniques or to produce and market new products, on the model of Atomic Energy of Canada Limited.  Keeping in touch with research and development in Canada, determining national scientific priorities and encouraging and co-ordinating theoretical and applied research in our universities and research organizations.  Pollution and Conservation  A problem of increasing concern to Canadians and of vital importance to future generations is the frightening rate at which our air, water and soil have become polluted. Almost too late, we have realized the extent of the danger to our resources.  Pollution and the conservation of our resources are problems which concern all levels of Canadian government. A federal New Democratic government will:  Work with the provinces to establish pollution  standards and controls. giving urgent priority to existing areas of se ous industrial pollution.  Make research into pollution and its consequences a high priority in its expanded scientific research program.  Undertake a complete inventory of our water resources and make plans for future diversions to supply areas of water deficiency within Canada.  Refrain from any policy of water export until Canada's own long-term needs and resources have been balanced.  III PROVIDING SERVICES FOR A MODERN COMMUNITY  In a complex industrial society, people must turn to government to provide them with a broad range of community services and to guarantee that the necessities of life like food and shelter will be available at prices we can afford.  Entangled in their conservatism, Canadian governments have been slow to assume these responsibilities and faltering in carrying them out. A New Democratic government will take office with a long agenda of community needs to fulfill.  In Canada's federal system, most of the services which affect the quality of our daily lives are the direct responsibility of provincial governments.  There are, however, many fields in which the central government must give leadership. It is an obligation which arises from its duty to provide all Canadians with a fair share of opportunity and social justice wherever they may live in our country.  One of the first jobs of an NDP government in Ottawa will be to tackle Canada's housing crisis. When a quarter of our people live in sub-standard housing and when young families cannot find a decent place to live, it is a national disgrace that housing construction should actually have slowed down.  For twenty years, the shelter needs of low-income families and the aged have been almost totally neglected by all levels of government, while the only serious federal housing program was largely devoted to serving the needs of those with upper and middle-level incomes.  To New Democrats, housing is a basic social service, not a matter to be left to the vagaries of the market. Its financing is an urgent priority, not an easy source of revenue or a fiscal tap to be turned off and on at government's whim.  An NDP government will create a federal Department of Housing and Urban Development. Working closely with the provinces, it would:  Provide generous financial assistance to meet the housing crisis-100% of the cost of land assembly and servicing, 100% of the cost of public housing and 75% of the cost of rent subsidies.  Bring down the cost of mortgage money by setting a subsidized ceiling for co-operative housing, homes for low-income families and for the rehabilitation of present housing.  Support the principle of integrated community development so that transportation, schools, recreation and shopping facilities are developed together with new and renewed housing.  Encourage the development of New Towns in areas of urban congestion.  A Program For Consumers  Canadians expect their government to protect them in their role as consumers, having learned from experience that the market does not automatically serve their needs and wants. Extravagant advertising, promotional and packaging expenditures add to living costs without creating product improvement or consumer enlightenment.  New Democrats will establish a government department exclusively concerned with working for the consumer. It will:  Test consumer products and publicize the results.  Enforce honest labeling and packaging regulations.  Create a Prices Review Board to investigate unjustified price increases and publicize its findings.  Consumers have already banded together to help themselves in organizations such as Cooperatives, Credit Unions and Caisses Populaires. A New Democratic government would help these movements by allowing incorporation of federal cooperatives and of a Central Credit Society with access to the Bank of Canada.  The Parliamentary Committee on Consumer Credit showed the need for low-cost credit for low-income families. In addition to meeting that need, an NDP government will:  Require full disclosure of the cost of credit.  Enforce reasonable interest ceilings on consumer loans.  Protect consumers from unethical and unconscionable sales practices.  There is a special need to protect the public in the field of drugs. An NDP government will license drug manufacturers, and, if necessary, produce drugs under public auspices. It would encourage the sale of drugs under their generic names and provide more means to test drugs before they reach the market.  The Work Force  Working Canadians today are, on the average, younger, better educated and more highly skilled than ever in our history. They are demanding a new place in society, not merely with security and a fair share of the wealth they have created, but also with the right to negotiate concerning the decisions which affect their lives.  Trade unions have played an important role in working towards economic and social equity but their activities are increasingly being brought within the orbit of the law. Progress of labour-management relations during the last half century gave promise of greater harmony in the world of work.  Instead, Canadian labour relations have returned to a past age, with compulsory arbitration, the abuse of the injunction process and the jailing of trade unionists. Fundamental civil rights have been set aside.  A New Democratic government will introduce a new era in labour-management relations, with legislation to:  Develop new safeguards for the right of employees to organize and bargain collectively, extending these rights to groups now legally excluded from them. Ex parte injunctions have no place in industrial relations: they must be ended.  Establish that technological changes and dislocations during the life of a collective agreement would, as the Freedman Report urged, be as open to the full processes of bargaining as the original contract.  Improve the machinery for settling disputes and encourage more voluntary procedures between employers and unions.  A New Democratic government will take definite steps to protect workers from the adverse effects of technological change, through implementation of the Freedman Report recommendations and other measures. Full-scale planning of our manpower needs and resources, plus expanded placement, training and relocation facilities and much more generous scales of allowance are needed if we are to achieve full employment and economic growth.  Sharing Affluence  There are still many whom our society has failed to serve. Hundreds of thousands of Canadians suffer the effects of unemployment or underemployment. Millions of Canadians are ill-housed or pay too much for their shelter. The needs of working women (particularly working mothers) are still largely ignored.  To New Democrats, correcting these failures is one of the highest priorities facing Canadians. The huge resources of Canada make it possible for us to eliminate poverty and to provide the range of community services which are necessities in a complex, urbanized society.  Social Priorities  One of the priorities in the face of poverty is the provision of an income `floor' below which no Canadian should be allowed to fall. A New Democratic government will ensure a Guaranteed Annual Income (GAI) for every Canadian. This income, when combined with a broad program of social services, would be set sufficiently high to ensure a standard of living compatible with health and self-respect.  The guaranteed income would not replace other existing social insurance schemes but New Democrats believe that it would provide the only way of ending poverty and of wiping out assistance programs based on needs or means tests. The level of guaranteed income would be subject to regular review, not only to preserve its purchasing power but to keep it in line with improvements in our standard of living.  In addition to the guaranteed annual income, a New Democratic government is committed to:  Medicare-fully comprehensive health care including dentists, drugs and appliances, supplemented by a program of cash sickness benefits to maintain the income of wage and salary earners and the self-employed.  Immediate reduction of the age of entitlement for the old age pension to 65 and an increase of the benefit to $125 a month without a means or income test, with future benefits tied to the cost of living.  Canada's Native Peoples  After more than a century, Canadians are coming to understand their responsibility for the position of the Indian and Eskimo. It is a history of paternalism, exploitation and cruel indifference.  Canada's native people must have the right to make their own decisions. They must have the dominant role in controlling the economic development of their communities and they must have the resources to make it a success.  Education  Education in Canada is a provincial responsibility; but there are areas where a strong federal initiative is possible which, always respecting the particular position of Quebec, may be welcomed by the provinces. Many provinces will need federal assistance to achieve the NDP goal of free higher education for all who can qualify academically. or it.  Broadcasting  A New Democratic government is committed to increasing the financial support of the CBC to make it less dependent on commercial advertising, to make possible long-range development planning and to expand encouragement and development of Canadian talent. The encouragement to Canadian cultural self-expression and the development of a Canadian identity provided by our centennial year, must be sustained as a responsibility of all levels of government in Canada.  Women and the Family  Our society has been conservative and unimaginative in adjusting to the modern position of Canadian women. Whether they are working in their homes or in the economy, women are suffering from needless and unfair disadvantages.  It will be the business of a New Democratic government to remove them.  Whether they work inside or outside the home, mothers need the assistance of child care centres. They also need special back-to-work training and vocational guidance when their children have grown up, if they wish to enter or re-enter the labour market.  Mothers who are making a fulltime job of caring for their children deserve credit through the taxation system as a partial offset for the salaries they are foregoing.  Women in employment have a right to equal pay with men doing equal work-and equal opportunities for promotion.  IV AGRICULTURE  In few areas of the Canadian economy has the technological revolution been moving faster than in agriculture. Yet farmers have not profited from increased productivity. Their share of the food consumer's dollar fell from 56c in 1949 to 41c fifteen years later.  People  We must assure adequate incomes to people who work the land. The establishment of guaranteed prices for specific products will ensure adequate returns to our farm families.  To administer such a pricing system, federal marketing machinery must be established. Provincial or regional producer-controlled marketing boards must be keyed to this system in order to market agricultural products anywhere in Canada or in the available export markets.  Income assistance should include programs of aid to the farm family to increase productivity, as well as retaining programs for those wishing to leave farming to seek other vocations. The transition of those who choose to leave their farms must be assisted by meting transportation and retraining costs and by providing living allowances during the period of readjustment.  Further, general productivity and incomes will be increased by encouraging individual units to form groups which could benefit jointly from cooperative management of machinery, land and capital programs.  Export  Canada should be prepared to sell agricultural products to any country and must make long-term credits available for this purpose, where necessary. Well-financed research and support programs must ensure that these products maintain their comparative advantage on world markets, while bringing adequate returns to the producers.  Land Resources  Land resources must be used carefully and conserved against future needs. Hence, new land areas should only be opened up as the need for more production becomes evident.  Where possible, the use of productive soil by industry and urban development near large centres of population should be avoided. Tax policies must encourage the use of such land for farming and discourage speculation for real estate purposes.  Fiscal policy should encourage the establishment of viable farm units and discourage corporate and hobby farming. Emphasis will be placed on family or co-operatively owned farm units, with special consideration to young farmers seeking to establish themselves.  V AN INDEPENDENT AND POSITIVE ROLE IN THE WORLD  New Democrats believe that Canada is ready to play an independent and positive role in the world. On a planet threatened by nuclear destruction and already afflicted by widespread starvation, Canadians are involved in humanity's peril.  Speaking and acting for ourselves is not abandonment of traditional friends and allies. Canadians are becoming aware that we can serve our common cause better by speaking out than by standing silent while folly and wickedness are committed in our name.  Canada has an enormous stake in helping to build a world community responsive to the rule of law. To back that stake, we need a new set of priorities and a new style in the conduct of our international affairs.  We have no alternative to the United Nations.  We must back it in every possible way, by channeling our external aid through its agencies, by providing it with the services of our armed forces and by assuming a greater share of its financial burden.  In spite of disappointments, we must support the U.N. peacekeeping role while insisting in future that social and economic changes must be promoted in concert with any police duty.  The time is overdue to dismantle the series of military alliances which were our foreign policy twenty years ago. In the mortal struggle for peace, we must:  Work for a world disarmament treaty and oppose use or testing of nuclear weapons.  Seek to replace NATO and the Warsaw Pact by a European security system, with Great Power guarantees, until such time as a strengthened United Nations can provide security.  Withdraw from our obsolete NORAD agreement while co-operating in the detection of any invasion of North American sir space.  In a world of nuclear weapons, no conflict can be tolerated and no threat to peace ignored. For its own sake and the world's, Canada must use all the influence it possesses to end wars before they begin. That is why Canada, in spite of rebuffs, must work to return China to the world community through diplomatic recognition and through support of her membership in the United Nations.  The war in Vietnam must be stopped. It is a threat of fearful dimension to world peace. It has also become a war of limitless and pointless barbarity. Canada must use every influence at her command, public and private, to end the conflict. When fighting has stopped, Canada must help to rebuild both parts of this tortured land.  In Vietnam and elsewhere, the real enemy of world peace is not conspiracy but human misery. This is the enemy which Canadian resources must fight. New Democrats believe that Canada, to play its part in this crucial struggle, should be spending at least 2% of its national wealth production each year in external aid. Canada's food contribution to a hungry world must be generous.  VI TAXATION  The report of the Carter Royal Commission on Taxation is a stinging indictment of half a century of Liberal and Conservative tax policy. It concludes that the present Canadian tax system is not fair, is not based on ability to pay, bears too heavily on the low and middle income groups and has restricted our economic growth.  In proposing reform, the Commission accepted that taxation must be used to redistribute income, that it must bear fairly on all families and individuals and that, in consequence, the progressive personal income tax, imposed on a broad base and including capital gains as a form of income, was the most just form of taxation.  It is no wonder that New Democrats have welcomed the Carter report and its main recommendations. They are an endorsement of positions which the New Democratic Party has sustained for many years. In particular, we welcome proposals which will make our tax system more fair, which will encourage economic growth and Canadian ownership and which will end unjustified tax concessions to mining, oil and gas companies and to banks, insurance and mortgage companies.  A New Democratic government can be relied upon to begin work immediately to put into effect the principles and major recommendations of the Carter Commission.  A NEw KIND OF GOVERNMENT  What kind of government do Canadians want? New Democrats think that they want a government which is as confident about Canada as they are-and just as determined that long-standing national problems are going to be solved.  They want a government ready to serve the needs of a modern industrial economy, with policies to cope with our housing crisis, the rising cost of living and the unfairness of our taxation system.  They are looking for a government that knows its own mind, with a little flair and a lot of determination to get things done. Canadians are ready to back that kind of government in renewing Confederation, regaining control of our own economy and giving Canada her own positive voice in the world.  That's why Canadians are looking to New Democrats to establish the first truly progressive government in our history. We don't make light of the problems and we don't promise never to make mistakes. But we do challenge Canadians to join in building a society as free and generous as the land in which we live. A UNITED CANADA  National unity is the concern of all Canadians.  Your Liberal Party has clearly stated its basic goals--equal treatment and equal rights for all Canadians. They must apply to any Canadian who feels alienated from the main flow of community life. The goal of this Government is to forge one strong Canadian community and to make the Federal Government a major focal point of Canadian life.  Strong forces are straining against the present division of powers between federal and provincial governments. We have made it clear that strict boundaries of federal power must be recognized.  These are:  Our ability to manage the economic affairs of Canada.  The indivisibility of our international presence and the necessity for Canada to speak with one voice in international affairs.  Our ability to act in the national interest on matters that affect all Canadians, while respecting the rights of the provinces.  To safeguard those powers, your Government will:  Proceed without delay to a full revision of the Constitution and will clarify those areas where jurisdiction is uncertain. But the new Liberal Government will continue to insist on retaining in federal authority all the powers necessary to ensure a prosperous economy, equality of opportunity for all Canadians, and the integrity and unity of Canada in all its aspects.  Increase provincial participation in federal institutions and activities of interest and concern to the provinces. We favour a review of our Constitution to develop a new federalism in which all provinces will be entitled to play their fullest role in the federal system. Excessive decentralization of powers in favour of the provinces would serve only to divide the country into separate, competitive governments and states. Excessive centralization of powers would destroy those regional and provincial differences which are a basic element in Canada's character. Our goal is a balanced federalism in which all sections of the country participate fully. The Senate and the Supreme Court of Canada are two particular institutions which should become more effective instruments of federalism by reflecting the diversity of Canada.  Ensure that provincial governments participate in external activities of concern and interest to them. But we will also uphold the fundamental principle of the indivisibility of our foreign policy and will ensure that Canada speaks abroad with one voice. The government has already published two White Papers putting forward several constructive proposals for the consideration of the Federal-Provincial Conference on the Constitution.  THE NATIONAL CAPITAL  Your Government will seek an early agreement with Quebec and Ontario, and the support of the other provinces, to establish a tripartite planning and development agency for the Capital region of Canada. The objective is to encourage in all Canadians a feeling of pride and participation in, and attachment to, their National Capital.  BILINGUALISM  Your Government has clearly stated its commitment to extending equal language rights throughout Canada. The Constitutional Conference was an important step toward that goal, but the work must continue. This Government is committed to implement the recommendations of the first volume of the report of the Royal Commission on Bilingualism and Biculturalism.  In particular, your new Liberal Government will:  Introduce an Official Language Bill in the next session of Parliament. This bill will declare that French and English are the official languages of Canada for all federal purposes, and specifically for the Parliament of Canada, for courts and tribunals within federal jurisdiction and for every department and agency of Government.  The bill will also:  Require that all Acts of Parliament and all decrees, orders and regulations be issued in both official languages and that both versions will have equal authority for purposes of interpretation.  Provide for the creation of bilingual districts where either English or French may be used as official languages in all dealings with the Federal Government. Discussions will be held without delay with all provinces with a view to establishing similar districts for provincial purposes.  Require all Federal courts and tribunals to conduct their proceedings in a way that will ensure that no person is placed at a disadvantage through inability to speak or understand one or the other of the two official languages.  Provide for the appointment of a Commissioner of Official Languages who will have wide powers of inquiry in order to ensure that the rights conferred by the Act are being observed.  Your Government has already taken important steps to encourage the development of bilingualism in the public service of Canada. This programme will be continued and expanded.  We will also press forward with discussions with the provinces on other measures to implement the B & B Report and consult on amendments to the Constitution to guarantee language rights.  REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND ELIMINATION OF DISPARITIES  A major objective of the new Liberal Government will be to reduce regional disparities throughout the country and improve the standard of living and income in the less developed areas, particularly the Maritimes and Eastern Quebec. All Canadians have the right to be part of the mainstream of life in Canada and your Government will make a maximum effort to overcome the problems of regional disparity.  To achieve this objective, your Government ,will:  Consolidate in a single Department of Regional Development a number of regional development programmes such as those now being carried out in the Atlantic provinces and elsewhere by a variety of agencies. The intention of the government is to bring together and strengthen these programmes to ensure accelerated economic growth of the regions concerned and much more effective use of resources. This consolidation should also lead to substantial savings in administrative costs and reduction or elimination of activities now carried on in other departments.  A single minister will be responsible for these development programmes not only in the Atlantic provinces but in all regions of Canada. Included will be the FRED programme, the ARDA programme, the ADA programme, the Atlantic Development Board and the Cape Breton Development Corporation.  Encourage greater involvement by the regions and bring about some decentralization of Federal Government services to the areas where their effort is committed. This will ensure a greater level of service to the Canadian people, create a maximum awareness of local needs and conditions by Federal administrators and ensure closer relations between federal, provincial and municipal governments.  COMMUNICATIONS  The key to unity is communication, and modern technology offers new, effective ways of bringing people closer together.  To achieve that, your Government will:  Establish a communications satellite system to be administered by a public-private corporation.  Extend television and radio services to remote areas and the Northern Territories and ensure that the country is served in the two official languages.  Introduce immediately at the next session of the new Parliament legislation on educational broad assessment of today's potential for Canada. They must be concentrated in those areas where we can be most effective.  CANADA'S NATIONAL INTERESTS  The primary purpose of our foreign policy must be to ensure the political survival and independence of Canada. As such, it should reinforce national unity.  Our foreign policy must take full account of our geographical position, of our dependence for material welfare on foreign trade and economic relations, of our particular resources and advantages and of our membership in the Commonwealth.  It must be such as to maintain mutual confidence and respect in our relations with the United States.  It should recognize that Canada is a Pacific as well as an Atlantic country, with a part to play in the Americas.  Joint security arrangements, whether in NATO, NORAD or the UN remain necessary as long as world peace remains insecure.  Our desire for world peace and progress demands strong support for the United Nations and its agencies.  Our desire for a just world society requires us not only to place high priority on external aid but to support financial, economic and trade policies designed to promote an expanding world economy.  As a free and democratic country Canada must contribute to the defence and expansion of human rights and freedom throughout the world.  In the development of foreign policy, your new Liberal Government will:  Proceed without delay to consult with provincial governments to establish procedures consistent with the continued existence of Canada as a single, united country speaking abroad with one voice, yet taking account of the legitimate aspirations and needs of the provinces.  Take greater advantage of the many opportunities inherent in the bilingual character of Canada to further develop external, political, economic and cultural relations abroad. Parallel to continuing close ties with the Commonwealth, it will strive to develop closer relationships with the countries of the Francophonie.  Examine closely, in consultation with our allies, Canada's military role in NATO and determine whether our present military commitment is still appropriate to the present situation in Europe. An important consideration in our review will be the need for Canada to shift the emphasis from its military to its political, economic, technological and cultural relations with the countries of Europe with which we have historic links.  Proceed to a thorough review of Canada's role in the North American Air Defence arrangements with the United States in the light of the technological advances of modern weaponry. Recently renewed for a period of 5 years, the NORAD agreement does not commit Canada to a specific contribution. This may be reviewed from time to time.  Review our contribution to peace-keeping operations. Your new Liberal Government will review our contribution to ascertain whether Canada could play a more useful role in preventing conflicts, as distinct from peace-keeping and review the ground rules for our participation in such international operations.  Increase substantially Canada's foreign aid programme to a volume equal to I % of our national income by the early 1970s. However, aid alone is not likely to reduce the disparities existing between rich and poor countries. Therefore, your new Liberal Government will take the initiative to secure better international financial arrangements and trade opportunities for the developing countries, including commodity agreements. It will improve arrangements to encourage Canadians to place their energies and expertise at the service of developing countries and provide incentives to Canadian business and industry to participate in development and aid projects.  Have as its aim the recognition of the People's Republic of China as soon as possible and the participation of that Government in the United Nations, taking account of the fact that a separate government is in existence on Taiwan. We will seek to increase trade and economic relations with the Peking Government.  In addition, your new Liberal Government will immediately:  Send a ministerial level special mission to tour Latin America before the end of 1968. This mission will be designed to demonstrate the importance the government attaches to strengthening our bilateral relations with leading Latin American countries.  Open five new missions in French-speaking countries by 1969. A substantially increased share of our aid will be allocated to Francophone countries in order to achieve a better balance between countries in our aid programme. The new Liberal Government will also increase its cultural programmes with Francophone countries as an important investment both in improving bilateral relationships and in contributing to national unity.  Establish a special Task Force to examine  i Canada's relations with the countries of both Western and Eastern Europe. Its purpose will be to review detailed recommendations on ways to strengthen cooperation with European countries from which so many Canadians have originated. It will study the whole range of our economic, political and cultural ties with Europe, together with the presence of Canadian military forces in Europe.  In order to stress the true objectives of Canada's aid programme, re-name the External Aid Office !he Canadian International Development Agency. In addition, your new Liberal Government will consider the creation of an International Development Centre in Canada to study the problems facing the less-developed countries and to ensure that Canadian and other aid movies are put to the most effective use possible.  THE JUST SOCIETY  FOR THE Individual  The primary aim, and the first priority, of the Just Society is to enhance the protection of individual rights and liberties in a society that is becoming increasingly complicated, urbanized, and organized.  To achieve this, your new Liberal Government will:  Incorporate a Charter of Human Rights in our Constitution. A major objective of the Constitutional Conference, the Charter of Human Rights, will give a firm constitutional basis to the protection of basic liberties and rights, including linguistic rights.  Reform the process of justice. Amendments to the Criminal Code will be continued. More judges will be appointed to improve the speed and effectiveness of our courts. Expropriation methods will be revised to ensure fair protection of citizen's rights. Abuses in the bail system will be eliminated by new legislation and close cooperation with the provinces. The laws on juvenile delinquency will be amended, and the entire system of prisons will be revised and made more effective.  FOR BETTER CITIES  Canada is fast becoming a nation of cities, and the quality of life is in large part determined by the quality of our cities. Further improvement in urban life requires active cooperation among federal, provincial, and municipal governments, each sharing the responsibilities and each performing those tasks for which they are best qualified.  To foster this, your new liberal Government will  Establish, in cooperation with provincial governments, a programme of national priorities for our cities and a clearer definition of the role to be performed by each level of government. The federal government has already assigned to one Minister the responsibility for coordinating most federal activities relating to urban affairs. `  Promote the establishment of Urban Research Centres in selected urban universities. We need to know more about our cities and to train more students for careers in urban government, planning, and development.  Establish a Task Force on Urban Issues. It will begin immediately to examine the feasibility of a new cities programme, of financing home ownership, of research designed to develop a technology for mass-produced housing, of encouraging standardized building codes and planning bylaws.  Reallocate priorities to attract more money into housing. The provision of good housing for all Canadians is a major domestic objective. As such, it must receive increased and continuing attention and must not be subject to great fluctuations as a result of changing economic conditions. Your new Liberal Government will seek ways, in cooperation with other levels of government, to curb land speculation and to induce greater activity by private enterprise in the housing field.  Use existing federal lands to help re-shape our cities. Major renewal and development projects in downtown areas can be assisted and initiated through appropriate planning of federal public works and the use of Crown agency property.  Introduce a coordinated programme to advance the techniques of urban mass transport. The federal role can best be played by developing concepts for new urban mass transit systems and the programme will coordinate research, experimental testing and pilot projects.  Implement a programme of major airport expansion. We will also launch a continuing study of airplane effects on mass population centres.  FOR THE CONSUMER  Modern methods of sale are complicated and often confusing. The consumer needs to be safeguarded against unscrupulous business practices and unsafe products. More accurate information is needed about the terms and conditions of sale.  The consumer's interest must be represented by government. The consumer must enjoy the right to be informed and to be heard.  To achieve this, your new Liberal Government will:  Establish a Canadian Consumer's Code. The code under the sponsorship of the new Department of Consumer and Corporate Affairs will ensure accurate labelling and packaging of goods, and control of standards, weights, and measures, hazardous substances and fabrics, misleading advertising and credit practices.  Convene a Federal-Provincial conference on consumer affairs. Much of the constitutional authority over matters affecting the consumer rests with provincial governments. In order to achieve uniform legislation across the country relating to consumer credit, instalment sales, cooling off period, etc., increased coordination should be achieved among provincial governments and the federal authority. Joint studies might be undertaken relating to disclosure requirements for consumer credit.  Co-operate with the provinces to develop a programme for automobile safety. The programme should include: accident research and prevention, application of uniform traffic safety standards and regulations, increased driver training, and the equipping of all autos with safety features recommended by the federal Tragic Safety office in cooperation with the provinces.  Lower drug prices. Your new Liberal Government will reintroduce the bill, at the earliest opportunity, to amend the Patent and Trade Marks Acts, which has the purpose of injecting more competition at the manufacturers' level into the production and distribution of prescription drugs.  FOR THE INDIANS AND ESKIMOS  The Liberal Party is concerned about the Indians and Eskimos. It wants to find some new basis of relationship by which the government shall seek, not only to do more for them, but to support them while they do more for themselves and for Canada. To achieve these objects, your new Liberal Government will:  Consult with individual Indians and Eskimos and those who have come together in voluntary organizations, in order to build a new structure with no preconceived ideas about the future.  Promote full participation of Indians in the determination of their own affairs.  Revise the Indian Act. Revisions will emphasize development of both human and natural resources and enable eventual autonomous band government.  Emphasize the development of valuable Indian land and natural resources.  Reintroduce the Indian Claims Bill, to settle many long-standing claims such as the B.C. Indian land question.  Settle outstanding commitments in Treaties 8 and 11 in the Yukon Territory and the Northwest Territories.  Conclude agreements with the provinces to extend their services to Indians at the same standards enjoyed by all other citizens. Priorities will be given to social services, particularly child care and education. Indians are citizens of the province in which they reside and are entitled to all provincial services.  SOCIAL SERVICES AND WELFARE  We have developed in Canada an extensive and advanced social welfare system. The present Liberal Government has displayed great thrust and initiative in this field. It has, since 1963, introduced five major legislations: The Canada Pension Plan, the Canada Assistance Plan, the Health Resources Fund, the Guaranteed Income Supplement Program and the Medical Care Insurance Program.  Your new Liberal Government intends to continue to improve our social security programmes to make them more effective and to concentrate our resources on the pockets of poverty that remain. To achieve this, your new Liberal Government will:  Press on with the review of all of our social security programmes initiated by the present Liberal Government, with the object of streamlining their administration, eliminating red tape and known abuses and developing a more effective use of funds.  Aim new initiatives at selective forms of assistance, designed to fill in the gaps in our social services and to stimulate self-improvement for the economically deprived.  Ensure a larger participation of voluntary agencies and of the people affected by our programmes in the development of new policies.  FOR BETTER GOVERNMENT  One of our major goals is to encourage people to participate more actively in Government. We will improve the instruments of Government and open it to the full view and involvement of all Canadians.  To achieve this, your new Liberal Government will Revise the rules and structure of Parliament.  The Member of Parliament must be given the opportunity to make more efficient use of his time and to give more effective service to his constituents. We will improve the rules and procedures of debate, the committee system, and the timing of legislation.  Provide more assistance to Members of Parliament. Your elected representatives require better facilities for research and technical advice in order better to represent the public view. We have obtained agreement from the other parties not to contest the election of the Speaker of the House. Your new Liberal Government will recommend formal provisions to ensure that the function of Speaker is not subject to partisan politics.  Initiate, on an experimental basis, televised House or Committee proceedings.  Reorganize the Senate. The Senate must be made a more effective instrument of federalism. Consideration of Senate reform by the Federal Provincial Conference on the Constitution will be given priority. Its members will be given a greater role in investigating problems and initiating new legislation.  Revise the functions and organization of the Cabinet and the Prime Minister's Office. Government policy requires more effective direction. The Cabinet has already been reorganized with a new Committee system which will achieve better planning and coordination between different government activities.  Make Government administration more open and responsive to the citizens' needs and rights. The public will have greater opportunities to present its views on government plans through an improved Parliamentary Committee system and a broad reform of administrative law. Legislation will be adopted, which will provide for advance notice of administrative acts in certain cases, improve the procedures before boards and commissions and facilitate means of review and appeal by citizens of administrative decisions.  POLICIES FOR A PROSPEROUS ECONOMY  Canadians today have the strongest economy in their history. The policies and economic management of your liberal Government during the past five years have been primarily responsible for the unprecedented standard of living we now enjoy.  The economy today contains all of the elements needed to continue to grow strongly and soundly. Your new Liberal Government is dedicated to the active promotion of that growth. It will achieve it by developing the full promise of our natural, industrial and human resources.  No complex economy can grow without encountering problems. Your new Liberal Government is dedicated to solving those problems and to using its skills and powers to free Canadians for active, individual enterprise in the pursuit of realistic economic goals.  FOR BETTER PUBLIC MANAGEMENT  The Federal Government is primarily responsible for stimulating and managing the nation's economic growth. To do this with maximum effectiveness, your Government must: (1) develop better ways to plan and coordinate economic policy; (2) use its own resources more efficiently, and, (3) change those laws and regulations which impede economic development.  To achieve those objectives, your new Liberal Government will:  Reorganize and consolidate the functions of appropriate Government departments. The functions of Cabinet have already been reorganized. The next step is to reorganize departments to cut Government costs and obtain more efficient performance within the public service. Consolidated administrative functions will eliminate duplication among departments, stop wastage of resources, and curtail the growth of the civil service.  Accelerate Programme Budgeting. The objective is to allocate in a rational, productive way the use of money and personnel for all Government undertakings. Some progress has been made but the task will be given a higher priority. Your new Liberal Government will also expedite the review of managerial techniques and training.  Initiate a programme to foster greater freedom of movement between civil service and private enterprise, unions, farm associations and others. Recruitment of managers, professionals, and academics for short-term service in government will be fostered. Career civil servants will be given leaves to participate in industry or universities.  TRADE AND MARKETING  Canada has, in the last five years under a Liberal Government, achieved notable new successes in the trade field. In that period alone, exports increased by nearly $5 billion to a total of more than $11.25 billion. Substantial concessions, affecting some $3 billion of Canadian exports and $2 billion in imports, were gained in the Kennedy Round trade agreements.  But world trading conditions are constantly changing. New initiatives and flexibility must be continued in the years ahead if Canada's competitive advantages are to be maintained.  Your new Liberal Government will pursue three primary objectives: (1) launching specific trade development programmes; (2) consolidating gains from the Kennedy Round, and, (3) reviewing all multilateral trade relationships, especially those with nations in our major export market areas-the U.K. and Europe, the Pacific region, and the Western Hemisphere.  To achieve those objectives your new Liberal Government will:  Work to expand exports under conditions of progressively freer trade. At the latest meeting of the GATT, Canada led the way in proposing major new areas of trade liberalization. Your new Liberal Government will continue actively to seek tariff cuts to benefit Canadian exporters without unduly .exposing particular domestic industries. We will also seek freer trade in suitable agricultural products, consistent with the healthy growth of Canadian agriculture.  Support international initiatives to reduce nontari$ obstacles to trade such as discriminatory government purchasing policies, quotas and other means of discrimination.  Mobilize special efforts to expand trade with the nations of the Pacific Area-Japan, Australia and New Zealand, South America, Southeast Asia, China and the eastern U.S.S.R. As part of our foreign policy review, we will immediately reappraise trading relations with the People's Republic of China, seeking to develop a two-way expansion in trade and to lay the foundation for closer economic cooperation in the future, including the establishment of reciprocal trade representation.  Send a major trade and economic mission to Latin America to improve our trade relations with this developing continent. The mission will include leading Canadian businessmen and financiers and will be headed by the Canadian Minister of Trade and Commerce. Recognizing the interest of Latin American countries, Canada will support the promotion of international commodity agreements in collaboration with other interested countries. Your new Liberal Government will also seek arrangements to liberalize and expand all Canadian Caribbean trade and commercial relations.  Freer trade will be sought in those major export sectors of advantage to both countries, consistent with continuing sound relations with Canada's other trading partners. In the post-Kennedy Round era, two-thirds of Canada's exports to the U.S. will enter duty free.  Initiate new trade promotion eforts. New forms of marketing and trade promotion assistance are now being given priority study with a view to helping Canadian producers to sell new products, and in new markets.  SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, RESEARCH, AND PRODUCTIVITY  Innovation and research are major keys to Canada's economic growth. In this era of rapid technological change, our industrial development and the evolution of our society will depend increasingly on our scientific effort. The Government has developed important programmes to assist industrial research and development, but much remains to be done. Canada spends less on research and development than many other nations, especially in the private sector. Our productivity performance needs to be strongly improved.  To achieve these goals, your new Liberal Government will:  Give vigorous support to science in both pure and applied forms as a basis of modern economic development. In pursuit of this objective, your new Liberal Government will give careful study and attention to the forthcoming Report of the Senate Committee on Science Policy. In its study of the Senate report, we shall give careful attention to the relationship between public and private research and to the development and retention in Canada of highly trained scientists and engineers.  Emphasize applied research to problems of environment, human resources, housing, natural resource development, northern development, water pollution, space telecommunications, transportation, transmission of energy, and nuclear energy. By 1975, our goal is that Canadians will spend about $2 billion a year on research and development, both private and public. A greater percentage of government funds will be directed to private, applied research.  RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT  Canadians must place much greater emphasis on developing our natural resources. This nation has a variety and abundance of resources capable of solving most of our social and economic problems, if we can develop them prudently. Your new Liberal Government will place a high priority on intelligent resource development.  To achieve it, your new Liberal Government will:  Accelerate the systematic and basic inventory of our national resources. We must know what we can realistically hope to find in the future. Only in this way can we develop goals and allocate priorities in markets, capital, labour, transportation and other areas.  Promote opportunities for young people in the resource field and provide training to enable youth to take advantage of them. Canada has many new frontiers to explore and develop. This requires a new approach to community development in remote areas to ensure adequate advantages and incentives to those who participate in the development of our frontiers.  Introduce a new Canada Water Act to provide for the necessary framework for planning and uses of water related to hydro power, irrigation, fisheries, flood control, recreation, navigation and pollution control. Your new Liberal Government will encourage water resource management through river basin development planning in cooperation with the provinces.  Gear transportation policies to provide a new impetus to resource development. Expansion and continued modernization of our seaways, airlines, marine services, docks, pipelines, etc. will be undertaken to ensure that our resources are brought to markets efficiently and economically.  Prepare, in cooperation with the provinces, new programmes for control and elimination of air and water pollution.  REFORM OF BUSINESS LAw  In order to achieve a more efficient, open and competitive business environment your new Liberal Government intends to press on with a complete review of our many business laws.  To achieve this objective it will:  Review the Combines Investigation Act, which is currently before the Economic Council of Canada. Without anticipating the results of the report, your new Liberal Government would contemplate bringing service industries under the Act and testing the civil jurisdiction of the Federal Government. The statute will also be reviewed with a view to strengthening Canadian industry in world markets.  Continue to strengthen the administration of the Bankruptcy Act for better protection of creditors and small businessmen. The report of the advisory committee recommending amendment of the entire bankruptcy law will be implemented at the earliest opportunity.  Amend substantially the Canadian corporate  law relating principally to disclosure, insider trading, proxy solicitation and take-over bids. Further substantial amendments to modernize Canadian corporate practice are already under review.  Enact a federal Cooperative Act to permit cooperatives to be incorporated at the federal level when their operations are not confined to a single province.  Enact a federal Securities Act governing international and interprovincial trade in corporate securities. Discussions will be continued with the provinces on the type of agency to administer such a statute.  Make substantial revisions in the entire field of industrial and intellectual property upon receipt of the report of the Economic Council of Canada on this subject.  INDUSTRIAL PEACE  Your Government has already undertaken a thorough review of all aspects of labour relations in Canada As soon as this review is completed, your new Liberal Government will put before Parliament new legislation aimed at ensuring industrial peace and fairness for ail concerned in matters of industrial relations under federal jurisdiction.  AGRICULTURE  Small Farm Policy  While the situation varies from commodity to commodity, in general 30 per cent of Canada's farmers produce 70 per cent of our agricultural production. This great variation in farm size and with it productivity renders the development of agricultural programmes appropriate to varying farm sizes most difficult.  The problem could be met through the institution of a system of farm differentiation by productivity and size. This differentiation could provide a basis for modifying programmes to meet the particular needs of farms of different sizes. The concept is that farmers themselves could reach the decision as to their own classification for this purpose. All farm programs could then be designed taking into consideration the special needs of the smaller farmers and the social aspects of such programs could be recognized and measured. Programs for all other farms could be those consistent with a larger scale viable operation. In return for the differential level of assistance the smaller farmer could undertake that at the time the farm passed from his possession he would not dispose of it for other than farm consolidation or for movement into the public sector. Thus the special programs designed for farmers in this category would not perpetuate the problem.  National Marketing Boards  More and more farmers are turning to marketing boards to provide them with a vehicle for the orderly marketing of their . Existing boards established under provincial authority are finding it increasingly difficult to operate due to altered conditions brought on largely through changes in the technology of transportation and product handling. To meet this situation and to complement the action of provincial boards through the provision of a basis for orderly interprovincial and export marketing the government proposes to introduce special legislation to provide for commodity marketing boards as the particular need for each commodity becomes evident.  In order to meet the difficulties of divided jurisdiction in the area of the marketing of agricultural products, the government would undertake to raise for discussion with the provinces the possibility of providing overall authority for the marketing of agricultural products as a federal responsibility.  Farm Credit  The government proposes to amend the Farm Credit legislation to provide for broadened applicability and to stimulate the entry into the industry of younger people. These amendments would provide increased coverage for farmers desirous of acting in partnership, would improve the ability of farmers to enter into agreements with their sons, and would facilitate the entry into farm ownership of young farmers who have demonstrated superior managerial ability. Action would also be taken to expand the activities of the Farm Machinery Syndicates Credit Act to provide for loans on permanent installations, housing, specialized equipment for the joint use of several farmers, and for allied purposes. The provisions of the Farm Improvement Loans would be expanded, and the operations of this Act integrated with those of the Farm Credit Corporation.  Canada's Export Objective  The Canadian Government is confident of Canada's capacity to grow and sell the wheat that the world demands. Both the government and the Canadian Wheat Board are determined to maintain and improve Canada's share of the world wheat market. The objective is to secure 25% or better of world wheat trade or, in quantitative terms, 1.3 billion bushels of wheat exports in the next three years. To attain this level of wheat exports, the Government is prepared to give all necessary support to the selling operations of the Canadian Wheat Board. In furtherance of these objectives, the Government will:  a) Continue to subscribe to and fully support the International Grains Arrangement.  b) Review and amend credit facilities available to improve the competitive position of Canadian wheat on world markets.  c) Continue a high level of wheat and flour in Canada's Food Aid Programme. The government has announced a goal for total aid of one per cent of the gross national product. Wheat and flour will continue to represent an important share of this increasing expenditure.  d) Establish a National Grains Council. Achievement of all our objectives will require a determined team effort. The grain industry represents the combined activities of tens of thousands of Canadians engaged in a wide variety of occupations. The energies, experience, and ideas of representatives of all related groups must be harnessed to the task. These must include not only producers and governments, but also elevator companies, shippers, exporters, railroads, co-operatives, marketing and inspection boards, farm organizations, agricultural scientists and sales and marketing experts.  There must be a forum established where representatives of these groups can meet and play their part in planning and action. In consultation with the Industry, this Government intends to proceed at once to establish a National Grains Council in order to involve in a real and productive way, the various elements of this great industry.  The main purposes of the Council would be:  (i) To review, appraise and make recommendations on any existing or proposed program or development associated with any facet of the grain industry.  (ii) To assist and participate in the promotion of exports of Canadian grains.  (iii) To assist in the promotion of research in all aspects of the grain industry and to encourage maximum utilization of research done in Canada and other countries.  (iv) Generally to provide improved liaison between industry and government and between various elements of the industry.  It is further proposed that a Secretariat be established to assist the Council, and the cost involved in the Council's operation be shared equitably between the government and various interests involved.  These forward looking measures are designed to provide maximum assistance to the Western grain producer in his quest for volume exports at the highest possible price.  Income Protection for Grain Producers  Variations in world supply-demand relationship do give rise to problems for Canada's exports of wheat and flour although even this year's anticipated level of 340 million bushels compares favourably with what was formerly considered a good performance. Following two successive record world wheat crops, demand for our wheat has been less this year.  Variations in world cereal supply-demand give rise to year to year fluctuations in Canadian grain sales and farm income. These fluctuations create difficulties for grain farmers in making forward operational plans. To meet this problem, the government will immediately involve all interested parties in the development of a self-sustaining program of income protection for western cereal producers. Various alternative systems are possible, and farm leaders have suggested several variations. The basic concept is a program under which farmers could be provided with minimum income assurance against declines in prices or marketings.  Resolution of this problem will be sought in sufficient time to bring in legislation to permit implementation of a program early in 1969 should it be required.  Subject to producer wishes and provincial support, the government is prepared to undertake discussions and consultations with other grain and corn producers and other groups with a view to establishing income protection programs having an objective similar to that envisioned for the western cereal producers.  Improved Cash Advances  To meet farmers' needs for operating funds at harvest time, Advance Payments will be increased, as soon as possible, to provide for the doubling, to $6,000, of the amount available to individual farmers as interest-free loans on farm stored grain. At the same time the burden of repayment will be eased by reducing the rate of repayment.  ECONOMY  [From a speech by P. E. Trudeau to the Council of Forest Industries of B.C., Vancouver, May 10]  "It would be futile to devise methods to improve our international trade while ignoring the ever present threats to domestic economic stability. The ability to compete in the markets of the world is dependent on the maintenance of a strong competitive position at home. Let me assure you that the Government shares the business community's concern with this problem. The Government intends to hold down Federal Government spendigg and to keep our expenditures in line with our tax' revenues. In other words, our aim is to achieve a balanced budget. We have also discussed with the provinces the need for restraint in expenditures by all levels of Government, and we intend to collaborate fully with them in determining priorities for achieving this goal. Strong measures have been taken in the fields of fiscal and monetary policy to reduce the pressures of excess demand in the Canadian economy."  INDUSTRIAL SYSTEM  [The Globe and Mail, June 15, 1968]  "We are planning to revise the Industrial Relations and Disputes Investigations Act. The new provisions will encourage continuous problemsolving discussions between labor and management during the life of collective agreements and away from the crisis atmosphere of contract negotiations."  "We may need changes in the Canada Labor Standards Code to provide protection for workers whose employment ends through the initiative of the employer and to guarantee maternity leave and equal pay for female workers."  "We must . . . encourage continuous negotiation between representatives of labor and management on planning for technological change.  "Within federal jurisdiction, when severe technological displacement is expected, at least three months' notice should be given to employees affected and to Government departments and the municipality concerned.  "We intend to promote in collaboration with the provinces, unions, and industry, the standardization of apprenticeship programs.  "We must ensure that companies contracting out projects are not doing so to avoid their obligations under collective agreements.  "If we wish to encourage employees to run for public office, we must enable them to obtain leave of absence without risking their jobs, pension rights or seniority.  "Finally, in the interests of safety, we must allow a tax deduction for any safety equipment which a worker must pay for himself." THE CONSTITUTION  The vast majority of Canadians are agreed that after one hundred years of experience, we should review our constitutional arrangements to see how they can be improved and made to better meet the aspirations of all Canadians and the requirements of a modern federal state.  The Progressive Conservative Party was pleased with the progress that had been made in bringing about mutual understanding and in starting a dialogue in an atmosphere of understanding by the Confederation of Tomorrow Conference convened by Prime Minister Robarts of Ontario, and by the federal-provincial conference of February, 1968.  We were pleased that a continuing committee of Prime Ministers and Premiers had been established. We were also pleased that this committee had placed before it the question of constitutional equality for the French and English languages being provided so that French-speaking Canadians all across Canada be entitled, where practicable, to education in their own language, to the use of the French language in the Legislatures, in the courts, in the same manner that these rights are enjoyed by the English-speaking residents of Quebec.  We had hoped that the committee would proceed to consider these and other matters with all convenient speed.  However, we deplore the fact that the necessary atmosphere of mutual trust and progress has now been totally destroyed by the leader of the Liberal Party for partisan political ends. The patient work of Mr, Robarts and Mr. Pearson has been reduced to a shambles.  A Progressive Conservative Government would place a high priority on restoring an atmosphere of trust in which the continuing committee of Prime Ministers and Premiers could continue their work. We would hope that this work would eventually lead to a constitutional conference.  Such a conference should examine each area of governmental responsibility to determine in the interest of the individual citizen which level of government should exercise authority. This having been done, the sources of the revenue should be apportioned in line with these responsibilities.  The guidelines for such a conference should be:  That Canada is, and should be, one country.  Canada is, and should be, a federal state.  Canada is composed of the original inhabitants of this land and the two founding peoples with historic rights to maintain their language and culture, who have been joined and continue to be joined by people from many lands who have a right to play a full part in Canadian life.  That the constitution should be such as to permit and encourage a full and harmonious growth and development in equality of all Canadians.  The objectives of the conference should be:  A constitution which is a Canadian document capable of amendment only in Canada.  That a Bill of Rights should be entrenched in the constitution.  The sole objective of a Progressive Conservative Government in the constitutional area would be a strong united Canada where all citizens, regardless of their background, would have as equal opportunity to play a full role in the building of Canada and in return have the right to pursue their legitimate aspirations in freedom and dignity.  EXTERNAL AFFAIRS AND DEFENCE  Canada's Foreign Policy has not changed in principle since the immediate post war years. The Progressive Conservative Party believes that the time has come for a complete review in the light of changed world circumstances. Among the many things that have happened since our basic policy was adopted twenty years ago is the emergence of China as a nuclear power; the growing antagonism between China and Russia and the new softer line being adopted in Moscow, and in the Eastern European countries. Then too, there is the emergence of the many so-called third force countries of Africa and Asia whose development problems and whose presence at the United Nations have given world affairs a new dimension. Canada's need to look for trading partners other than our traditional ones, particularly in view of the eventual entry of Great Britain into the European Common Market, is another reason for a comprehensive review of our relations with other countries.  This re-assessment should be made on several levels. First of all, at the level of government itself. Secondly through a vastly increased use of the House of Commons Committee on External Affairs. And thirdly, through the encouragement of independent, non-government agencies comparable to the Institute of Strategic Studies in London.  A review of our Foreign Policy by a Canadian equivalent of this organization could bring a fresh approach to our problem. Its views would of course be submitted to the House of Commons Committee.  There can be no question that Canada's influence in the world has decreased in recent years and a Conservative government would seek to restore Canada as a significant influence in international affairs.  The United Nations  Canada should continue its support for the United Nations and its agencies, and strengthen the United Nations' capacity for peace-keeping and peace-making. Canada should assert a strong initiative to establish in the United Nations a committee with the following objectives:  (a) The examination and assessment of the shortcomings of the Charter and structure of the United Nations.  (b) The submission of recommendations to the General Assembly.  NATO  The Progressive Conservative Party does not believe that Canada can increase its prestige and influence with its allies by threatening to withdraw its forces unilaterally from Europe, as the liberals recently proposed. We believe in the principle of collective security. This principle can only be followed if we consult with our allies before committing ourselves to changes.  A Progressive Conservative Government would therefore suggest to Canada's NATO partners a comprehensive review of the purpose of the organization in the light of the new Europe. First, we believe, consideration should be given to a new Atlantic alliance based on a broader concept and with greater emphasis on trade and economic cooperation. Secondly, the necessity for the maintenance of Canadian forces on European soil should be reconsidered. In today's circumstances it may well make more sense to deploy Canada's NATO forces in this country with air transport arrangements that permit them to respond to a threat either in the European area or, should it become necessary, in other parts of the world. Finally, the review should be directed to bringing about simultaneous decreases in the armed forces of both the NATO nations and the Warsaw Pact Group. We must aim at the eventual elimination of nuclear weapons in Europe.  NORAD  The Liberal government's recent action in renewing the NORAD treaty for five years by Orderin-Council-without permitting any debate or explanation in the House of Commons or before the External Affairs Committee-is a prime example of arrogance and contempt for Parliament. In the ten years since this agreement was originated there have been great changes in the circumstances of continental defence. Canadians have a right to know whether their tax dollars are being well spent on the maintenance of Bomarc bases and CF-101 Voodoo aircraft. A Progressive Conservative government would bring the NORAD treaty before the External Affairs Committee of they House of Commons and negotiate any suggested  changes with the United States.  The Commonwealth  The Progressive Conservative Party believes in the value of the Commonwealth of Nations as an inter-racial forum which can do much to decrease tensions in the world. We would encourage the activities of the Commonwealth Secretariat, particularly in its attempt to find solutions to such problems as Nigeria and Rhodesia. We would increase our technical, scientific and industrial assistance to the under-developed nations of the Commonwealth.  Francophonie  The Progressive Conservative Party believes that Canada, as a country whose population is onethird French-speaking can make a useful contribution to the development of the new countries of Africa and Asia whose language is French. The French culture in Canada can gain enormously from a continuous and growing contact and interchange with other French-speaking countries. We would therefore, enlarge and extend our relations with these countries on the diplomatic, cultural and trade levels. We would encourage co-operation between educational and cultural authorities in Canada and their counter-parts in other countries of the French world while safeguarding the federal government's sovereignty in the field of Foreign Affairs.  Foreign Aid  The Progressive Conservative Party believes that Canada has an obligation to share its material advantages, its scientific and industrial knowledge and its managerial skills with the new nations of the world.  One of the greatest dangers to the prospect for world peace lies in the enormous disparity between the standards of living in the developed and undeveloped parts of the world. As long as millions of people in the world live in conditions of want,  political stability can never be established.'  As the Canadian economy grows and expands we would aim to increase that portion of our gross national product devoted to these ends. We think that Canada's contribution in this area can be most effective if it is concentrated in a reasonably small number of areas where its impact can be great enough to be really useful and where we can develop long term relationships with other countries. Such an approach would also further the creation of new markets for Canadian products  as the economies of the new countries grow in'  strength.  NATIVE PEOPLES  One of the greatest blots on Canada's reputation for fairness and equity is the condition of the Indians, Metis and Eskimos who are the descendants of the original inhabitants of this land. It is a problem that should touch the conscience of all Canadians. A few statistics will give the dimension of the problem. In 1966, 40% of Canadian Indians were living on relief. Nearly half of all Indian families earn less than a thousand dollars per year. In 1966 fully 75% earned less than two thousand per year. Indians are hospitalized twice as often as other Canadians. Their mortality rate is higher. Among pre-school children the mortality rate is eight times the national average, among adults three and a half times the national average.  With these facts before them, the Liberal government decided to save 20,000 dollars per year by reducing health services to Indian and Eskimo people. While we believe that the government should cut down on unnecessary expenditures, this cut was not only cynical and cruel but wasteful of human resources.  People are also a national resource. The Canadian Indian people today number 250,000. The Metis number another 250,000. Half a million human beings, a human resource that remains neglected and feels unwanted.  A Progressive Conservative government would move speedily to get at the roots of this problem. We would undertake an immediate reassessment and reorganization of the Indian Affairs Branch, to revitalize its functions and to replace a spirit of caretaking with a progressive spirit of compassion and development.  A Progressive Conservative government would appoint a task force to conduct an immediate examination of the community development program which the government has all but abandoned. This task force would lay the groundwork through discussions with Indian communities, provincial authorities, etc., for a new Indian development program.  We would promote a continuing series of discussions between federal and provincial ministers and Indian representatives aimed at a wider use of the full range of services and developmental programs which could be made available with the cooperation of the provinces.  A Progressive Conservative government would expand the program designed to recognize, encourage and develop Indian cultural expression. To do so we would modify the existing educational services and establish an Indian college. We would recommend that departments of Indian culture and research be instituted at selected Canadian universities. All of these would tend to elevate and encourage the aspirations of the Indian people.  We must find a more effective means to ensure that the resources of both federal and provincial governments are made available to the Native Peoples.  INCOMES AND OPPORTUNITY  The Progressive Conservative Party believes that every citizen should have a reasonable standard of living, including adequate food, clothing and shelter, education to the level of ability and the best medical care that science can provide.  We believe that it is the duty of government to provide and maintain an economic environment wherein the individual can attain these things for himself.  Whenever through circumstances beyond his control, disability, sickness, age or economic conditions, he is unable to do so, the state must provide.  Robert Stanfield has committed the Progressive Conservative Party to the goals of a decent life and equal opportunity for all Canadians. It is simply not acceptable, in this affluent age, for children in Canada to be raised in a virtual prison of poverty, where they are exposed to bad health and bad habits and where they have neither an incentive to learn nor a real chance to live.  And it is simply not acceptable for Canadians who are old or severely handicapped or chronically ill to live on a pittance that buys less every day.  The Liberal government established a special secretariat for the War on Poverty. It has now disappeared into obscurity and has effectively lost its impact and identity.  The poverty aspects of the Manpower Program were cut back virtually before they began. This is the record of a careless thoughtless government. Ministers who were committed to eliminating poverty instead eliminated the attack on poverty. When they were forced to cut back expenditures, they first cut the appropriations to the poor.  A Progressive Conservative government will establish a Guaranteed Annual Income for all those Canadians who cannot earn for themselves and who live today below the poverty line. This is our firm objective although it cannot be accomplished overnight.  It will involve a complete rationalization of our present fragmented system of social payments, and a reduction of frustrating paperwork for the aged and the handicapped.  We will ensure that programmes are administered in a humane and compassionate manner that neither diminishes the dignity of the individual nor erects artificial barriers to his enjoyment of an adequate income.  For those who are physically able to earn their living but are handicapped by a lack of training in modern skills, we will institute effective consultation and cooperation with the provinces to step up our manpower training and retraining programs and make them more effective. We will also consult with the provinces on manpower mobility programs and increase the effort to bring industry to areas of surplus labour, and surplus labour to areas of labour shortage.  WESTERN AGRICULTURE  A Progressive Conservative government believes that a strong and healthy agriculture is vital to the well-being of this Nation and that the government has a clear responsibility to ensure that a proportionate share of the national income be directed there to maintain a viable and productive food plant.  Wheat Policy  The Progressive Conservative Party believes in the Wheat Board system of marketing wheat produced on the Prairies, but also believes that government policy should be directed towards assisting the Board in finding and maintaining markets.  1. The future prospects for wheat markets are good. Wheat sales will soon bring the price up close to the maximum under the International Grains Agreement (two dollars and thirty-five cents basis Fort William.)  2. We will restore the Stabilization Agreement on Prices with the United States that prevented price wars from 1957 to 1963.  3. We will restore an aggressive sales policy using the technique of long term contracts and reciprocal trade encouragement to countries that wish to trade with us.  4. Five years of Liberal neglect have made it necessary to adopt policies that will protect the farmer against rapidly rising farm costs. As a short term measure, steps will be taken to institute a program of floor prices on wheat during the life of the present International Grains Agreement, based on the costs of things the farmer buys.  5. In co-operation with the Wheat Board, a new quota plan will be devised to ensure full delivery by efficient small farmers.  6. We will improve the present program of cash advances to help meet the present crisis by increasing the amounts per bushel to one dollar for wheat, thirty-five cents for oats, and fifty cents for barley and by increasing the total amounts available proportionate to farm size.  7. We will tailor our grain handling and grading system to meet current as well as anticipated customer demand.  8. Steps will be taken to implement a system of farm storage involving accelerated depreciation on multiple-use farm buildings, and in consultation with the Wheat Board, a system of farm storage payments which will ensure that deliveries will be made upon request by the Board.  9. A Progressive Conservative Government will ensure that grain growers will be able to maintain their competitive advantage by a vastly improved program of research. New high yielding varieties will help meet increased demand and lower per unit production costs.  Livestock Policy  10. We will assist in a program of improved land utilization to encourage growth of Canada's livestock program as well as its participation in the total agricultural market available. This involves the Federal Government in water conservation projects, the development of pasture programs and the building of roads to open up bushland for pasture and settlement.  11. We will speed the development of a modern communications service for the farmer to provide him with full range of technical information necessary to conduct a successful farming enterprise.  12. In co-operation with the provinces, a program of national guidelines will be instituted to assist farmers in determining the direction their industry should be moving to fully utilize the land, financial and human resources that are available.  13. Use will be made of inland terminal elevators as delivery points for special grain storage purposes.  14. a) Improvements in our rail and port facilities will be undertaken to accommodate an increased volume of grain and other products such as potash, moving into international markets from the Prairies.  b) We will encourage long term agreements between labour and management to ensure uninterrupted movement of grain out of Canadian ports.  c) We will foster further development of port facilities at Prince Rupert, Fraser River and Vancouver Island.  d) Greater use of the Port of Churchill will be made by extending the period during which insurance is available.  e) Improvement of productivity of St. Lawrence Ports, will be pushed.  15. There will be greater initiative and direction to the use of the A.R.D.A. program to improve the use of marginal land and in those areas where income levels require the attention of the government.  16. In co-operation with the provinces we will amend the Farm Credit legislation to ensure that young people wishing to become engaged in agriculture have an opportunity through an extended farm credit program.  17. We will amend the Crop Insurance Act, providing for insurance on livestock.  18. As in Eastern Canada, effective antidumping measures will be applied to ensure continued growth of a viable vegetable and fruit growing industry.  EASTERN AGRICULTURE  A Progressive Conservative Government will introduce a major, co-ordinated plan for development of eastern agriculture. Liberal indifference towards the eastern farmer for five years has worked to make him a poor cousin of his western counterpart. Low incomes, uncertainty as to price and markets, and a failure to act to reclaim submarginal land have destroyed incentives for many farmers and their sons. The average income per farm in eastern Canada is less than $1,600. per year. There has not been enough done by the present administration to encourage young farmers to increase farm productivity and to form more economic production units.  The Liberal record has been one of promisesnot performance. Take the promise of an expansive Mr. Pearson, who, when seeking election in 1963, promised a Minister of Agriculture for eastern Canada. Nothing has ever come of this promise.  A Progressive Conservative Government will work, however, to afford eastern farmers a strong voice within government.  Organization  A Progressive Conservative Government will establish a permanent bureau of Eastern Agriculture. The aim will be to ensure an adequate return for efficient farm operations. The family farm is still a cornerstone of eastern agriculture. But if agriculture in eastern Ontario, Quebec and the Atlantic provinces primarily, is to become viable, there must be improvements.  Feed Grain  Federal assistance for transport of feed grains to the east is still of vital importance to the future of beef, dairy, hog and poultry fanning. But this is not a complete answer in itself. At present, by far the major portion of beef consumed in eastern Canada is imported. If eastern Canada is to better serve eastern consumers, it is imperative that there be federal assistance for forage and grain crops. A Progressive Conservative Government will provide such federal incentives as low interest rates for farmers wishing to extend their feed grain acreage. This would be possible under a revitalized ARDA program. And, to make this a better coordinated program, ARDA would be regionalized, enabling it to better deal with the particular provincial agriculture agencies.  Coupled with increased federal emphasis on feeder lots and community pasturage would be a program a Progressive Conservative Government would work out with the provinces to provide better fertilizer subsidies, and improve acidic soils and thereby gain in a better production per acre.  A Progressive Conservative government would also encourage co-ordination of farm organization presentations to government to make agriculture's voice more effective.  Dairy  Eastern dairy farmers have been adversely affected by non-marketable surpluses in recent years. Surpluses of butter, eggs, milk and skim milk powder have hurt the return to the farmer. Surpluses have occurred in industrial milk because there are too few plants in eastern Canada to handle dairy production.  A Progressive Conservative government would place particular priority on assisting industries which would utilize dairy products.  Surpluses  At present only three per cent ($10,000,000.00 of $300,000,000.00) of the foreign aid programs is devoted to farm products. This figure should be increased by another two per cent at least, an increase which would also help guard against the individual farmer being hurt.  Another step to safeguard the eastern farmer would be the initiation of effective anti-dumping measures. This would have to be worked out both on a national and international scale (ie: Western honey in Eastern Canada; Mexican tomatoes in Eastern Canada), and such a program should be tied in with another international and national system of negotiations to establish voluntary quotas on agricultural products imports.  Farm Credit  A Progressive Conservative government would update farm credit by amending the Farm Improvement Loans Act and Farm Credit Loans Act to make both once more available to the agricultural industry. At present banks are uninterested in extending credit through the Farm Improvement Loan Act because of the low interest rate of five per cent. A Progressive Conservative government would work to extend the term of repayment from three to five years and increase the total amount available from $14,000. to $20,000. in return for a reasonable increase in interest rates. Such a program would be tied in with provincial farm improvement funds.  Crop Insurance  A Progressive Conservative government would extend crop insurance to cover livestock.  Tax Incentives  A Progressive Conservative government would undertake a study of the tax load farmers have to bear, with an eye to accelerated tax depreciation on farm storage facilities, and on additional production, buildings and future land development.  Seasonal duties  A Progressive Conservative government would review and update the whole procedure of seasonal duties. The present federal and provincial and agricultural commodity methods of protecting markets by tariff, subsidy, quota, acreage control and licence to produce are in many instances ineffective, due to being dated. A whole new approach is necessary on this key principle. A Progressive Conservative Government would establish agencies patterned after successful producer organizations such as the Western Wheat Board, D.C. Tree Fruits, etc. with a joint responsibility with producers for sales distribution and price.  Reorganization of Department  A Progressive Conservative Government would establish within the Department of Agriculture a Board with access to the facilities of all governmental agencies not only to provide current basic information, but to recommend speedily implemented courses of action to government whenever a farm commodity is referred to it as facing economic difficulties either from surplus production, lack of markets, or intrusion of manufactured substitutes. This would be immediately applicable to the dairy industry, food processing industry and vegetable industry.  FISHERIES  Our Nation has been blessed with many natural resources. Among them, our Canadian fisheries are of major importance, in their wealth and potential. The Progressive Conservative Party feels that the fishing industry must be given a high priority for, beyond a doubt, prosperous fisheries contribute to a healthy Canadian economy.  Canadian fishermen stand in real need of more modern and up-to-date research and technology. We cannot continue to rely solely on the will and spirit of our fishermen to struggle with well equipped foreign competitors. The Progressive Conservative Party will therefore accelerate our research and development program, designed to furnish the fishing industry with improved facilities and techniques.  Canadian fishing now faces a serious lack of skilled and trained personnel. Yet at the same time, in many fishing areas, unemployment rates are among the highest in Canada. The Progressive Conservative Party resents this wastage of human resources and proposes a revitalized program of on-the-job training. We will encourage the de velopment of training facilities required by those fishermen who wish to up-grade their skills in the industry.  The Atlantic  1. In the Atlantic Coast area, priority must be given to the surplus of fish products which now exists. Indifference of the Liberal government has meant that our Maritime fishermen are now plagued with a surplus of 9-10 million pounds of salt cod fish. The government has offered to purchase these products at the end of the season. This is no solution to the problem. Deterioration through months of storage and a lack of storage facilities for the new catch will result.  A Progressive Conservative Government will take immediate action to solve this problem by offering this surplus to the World Food Bank.  2. New markets must be found at an early date. A Progressive Conservative Government will, as soon as possible, convene a meeting of Canada's trade commissioners from abroad to mobilize their efforts to bring about an expansion of markets for these products.  3. The fresh and frozen ground fish fillet industry can be accelerated by increasing the domestic demand by an extensive consumer oriented promotional campaign. This campaign would be designed to increase individual consumption by approximately one-half pound per year and provide a market for an additional one hundred and ten million pounds of ground fish products in North America.  The Pacific  The Western fishing industry must deal with several crucial problems.  1. Competitive markets have forced British Columbia fishermen into a second place position in the world salmon market. For example, in 1966 the Japanese were able to sell a single carton of salmon for $20.00. Due to higher costs and less advanced techniques, British Columbia fishermen were forced to sell salmon at $25.00 per carton. In order that the market can be regulated in an organized way, a branch of the Prices Support Board should be established on the West Coast. As a result, salmon could be sold at a fixed price during profit and loss years and the Canadian fishermen would be able to compete for domestic and foreign markets.  2. There has been a rapid reduction of the salmon catch due to overfishing, principally by foreign vessels. Our government will accelerate the duties as may be assigned to it, and oversight of international waters where no agreement exists.  d) Co-ordination of pollution control in interprovincial waters on which federal-provincial agreements exist, acting as adviser to the boards administering such agreements, and oversight of inter-provincial waters where no agreement exists.  e) Co-ordination of pollution control in all federal departments and agencies in which pollution is being dealt with.  f) Acting as the federal agent in all dealings with the provinces on pollution matters.  g) Provision of technical and financial assistance to industry in the conduct of waste treatment measures.  h) providing financial assistance by way of grant and loan to any public body, commission, authority or municipality in Canada which is engaged in anti-pollution works. Assistance to public bodies such as are set out in parts 4 and 5 of the schedule attached, and come under provincial jurisdiction shall be given direct, after verification that the project is consistent with the provincial program and priorities.  i) To undertake and finance clean water demonstrations or pilot projects, with provincial co-operation where required.  To carry out this program prior consultations with provincial authorities and the representatives of industry should be undertaken.  While air pollution control has been undertaken in large part by the various Departments of Health, and soil pollution control by Departments of Agriculture and Health, they are inter-related closely with water pollution, and should not be treated separately. In line with the philosophy of the approach taken in this proposal, no change is recommended in the administration of these programs, but responsibility for co-ordination of research, and technical and financial assistance would be given to the new Commission.  In addition to the foregoing program for coordination of anti-pollution measures, other action should be taken, either by the federal government or in consultation and agreement with the provinces.  The work of the Canadian Council of Resource Ministers should be enlarged to give the council federal support in formation of a national pollution advisory council to deal with interprovincial and federal-provincial matters.  More funds should be provided for the antipollution work of the Department of Fisheries.  The National Research Council, already well launched on pollution studies, should be encouraged to enlarge their work.  The Boundary Waters Treaty of 1909 Should be re-negotiated to add control of pollution to the federal jurisdiction over boundary waters between Canada and the United States.  This proposal does not discount nor impede the urgent need for a more clearly defined water policy in Canada, the need for consolidation of responsibility for water resources in the federal government nor the fact that provincial governments in Canada all have legislation to enforce pollution control measures. This proposal can proceed outside and beyond administrative changes, and supplements and makes use of the various federal and provincial enforcement laws, which together cover the entire field. It is designed to provide an immediate base from which all pollution control in Canada can operate and become effective.  HOUSING  A Progressive Conservative government will undertake in cooperation with the provinces and municipalities, a new national direction in housing and urban development. This involves better planning and organization, but it also involves money. So, the programme outlined below is not one that can be completely implemented as soon as we take office. It is predicated, first of all on restoring growth and confidence in the Canadian economy. We must get Canada moving forward again so that we can generate the necessary funds for the housing programme.  New Department  The consolidation of the other departments will allow a Progressive Conservative Government to create a Department of Housing and Urban Development with a Minister who will coordinate all federal activity in the urban planning area. He will meet with the provinces and through them with the municipalities to more clearly define the role of each level of government in achieving Canada's total housing objectives. Housing requirements vary in kind, and quality in the different regions of Canada. Therefore our approach to Federal Provincial cooperation will be a flexible one. It will not be our purpose to tell the provinces what they should do, but rather to make the federal effort fit in to the particular requirements of each province and region.  Task Force  One thing that is lacking in our housing and urban planning programme is sufficient data on our urban areas. We have figures on gross national product, growth rate and so on for Canada as a whole but not sufficient information on the same things for the cities of Vancouver, Toronto, Montreal, etc. We will establish a task force composed of government experts from the federal level, provincial government officials whose cooperation we will seek, and people from the housing industry and universities to develop the necessary background information and statistics that are required for a comprehensive urban planning approach.  Industrial Methods in Housing Construction  One of the high priority projects given to the task force will be to recommend methods of increasing the amount of mass production techniques used in the housing industry. To encourage an increased use of technical know-how and preassembly of components in the housing field, we will accelerate research and development being done in the entire area of construction.  Land Bank  We will establish a revolving land bank fund initially of a hundred million dollars to purchase land in those areas where research indicates our cities will expand. One of the factors in the high cost of housing today is land speculation on the outskirts of our cities. Not much can be done about land that is now in the hands of the speculators. But if this problem is not to grow and become more serious the government will have to step in and keep land prices within reach of our people. Another function of a land bank fund will be to make financial assistance available on a longterm loan basis for the servicing of land.  Sales Tax  A Progressive Conservative Government will immediately remove the 11 % sales tax on building materials. If it is necessary to replace the revenue lost in whole or in part, this will be done with taxation in other areas that are less damaging to our social progress. But this is a bad tax. Its social effects in creating a shortage in housing and fostering unemployment in the construction industry are too serious to let it continue. It is estimated that removal of this tax will reduce the cost of the average new house by at least $500 dollars.  Housing for people with Lower Incomes  The rate at which housing is being provided for people on lower incomes must be speeded up. One method a Progressive Conservative Government would use would be to encourage proper authorities, such as municipalities, to take over some existing older housing, to renovate and modernize it and to offer it to people at subsidized rents in the same manner as is now done for new low income  . housing. This should, on a temporary basis, speed  up the process of getting people out of substandard, unsanitary conditions and into acceptable housing. Particularly in those areas where slum clearance and rebuilding programmes, while necessary, will take a considerable period of time to complete. The need is there now, and steps should be taken at once to meet it.  Limited Dividend Housing  Since 1964 limited dividend housing has been inactive. The reason is that the allowable dividend of 5% is well below current interest rates and no investors can be found who will accept this rate. A Progressive Conservative Government would amend the regulations to permit a dividend of 8 % and thus encourage people to put up funds and provide rental housing for low income groups and especially for the aged, students and other similar groups.  Condominium Housing  We must make housing available to those who fall between the lower annual income bracket at which subsidized housing is available and those whose income is $8,000 and above and who can possibly today afford to buy houses. A Progressive Conservative Government would make C.M.H.C. mortgage loans available to owners of the units in condominium buildings such as duplexes, triplexes, and multiple unit buildings. The condominium principle which allows people to own rather than rent units in a multiple occupancy building, permits a lower cost per unit for land and services and can provide satisfactory accommodation at lower costs than detached single family houses. If the legal problems of cooperative ownership of such buildings can be solved at the provincial level, and mortgage money is made available, this should provide homes on an ownership basis for large numbers of people who are now unable to afford them.  [Robert L. Stanfield, News Releases from the Progressive Conservative Party of Canada, Ottawa, April-Tune 1968)  REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT  The key is to recognize that inequality in the Maritimes is not a temporary or an isolated problem. It affects the whole region-and it can be relieved only by national policies which assist the whole region. Too often in Canada, national policy has had the effect of imposing special hardships on regions which already have more than their share of hardship. The most recent example was the elimination of less-than-carload rates-which eroded the ability of industry in these provinces to compete.  So the first step to real reform must be to ensure that all the national policies of goverament---fiscal, transportation, manpower training and so ontake account of the requirements of this and other slow-growth regions. That is essential--because it is simply pointless to devise special programs of assistance, if the total effect of national policy is to add to the burden.  Our aim will be to recognize the special requirements of each region of Canada, and to make regional development a high and consistent priority of overall national policy.  REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT: ATLANTIC PROVINCES  First of all, I would establish offices of the A.D.B. in the Atlantic Region. It just doesn't make sense to have the Board concentrated in Ottawa.  Second, I would give the A.D.B. responsibility not only for co-ordinating but for tailoring and adapting programs such as ARDA, FRED and A.D.A. to the needs of this region.  Third, I would put the Atlantic Development Board-with its personnel and resources strengthened-to work on an overall development strategy for the whole Atlantic region. It is a fact that the A.D.B. has been in existence for five years and has not yet come up with a comprehensive plan for development of the region. A new Progressive Conservative government would seek to have such a plan prepared in consultation with the provinces and published within 12 months.  Newfoundland  We are interested in several specific proposals which have been made for the development of Newfoundland.  First, the Progressive Conservative government you are going to help elect on June twenty-fifth will allocate funds to assess the value and feasibility of constructing a direct ground communications link between the island of Newfoundland and the mainland portion of the province, Labrador. The transmission of Labrador power to Newfoundland is just one example of the kind of problem which would be solved by a tunnel or causeway linking the island and the mainland. This is a project which has vast economic and social implications both for this province and for Canada as a whole. With the rapid growth of Labrador and the development of its great natural resources I think it is appropriate that the feasibility of this proposal be studied now.  Second, a Progressive Conservative government will investigate the need for and the feasibility of establishing an air trans-shipment port at Gander. Such a port would be designed, as I understand the proposals which are being put forward, to facilitate the full utilization of air cargo capacity in trade between Europe and North America. Its location at Gander would provide a stimulus to the development of the whole of central Newfoundland.  MEDICARE  This is a government which has complicated and reduced the effectiveness of economic and social programs by its failure to cooperate with other levels of government. The federal government has caused bitterness and confusion among even its political friends, and the people of Canada are the victims.  A case in point is Medicare. The federal government drew up its own version of a Medicare program, placed it in front of the provinces, and said "take it or else."  Eight of the ten provinces of Canada, including New Brunswick, could not take it. Could not take it because they felt they could not raise the money from their taxpayers to pay their 50 per cent of the program insisted upon by the Liberal government at Ottawa.  The provinces asked for a reconsideration, which would permit the two levels of government to work out a medicare program that could be financed and put into operation this year. The Liberal government again turned them aside.  As a result, a medicare program will go into effect on July 1st in perhaps two of the 10 provinces of Canada. In the other eight provinces, there will be no federally sponsored medicare plan in effect, certainly not this year. Those Canadians whose need for a medicare program is greatest, and in parts of the country that need it most, will go without it.  This is the high price Canadians have to pay for the arrogance and the stubbornness of the Liberal government in Ottawa.  It is my intention as leader of the Government of Canada to get together with the provinces and try to work out a medicare plan that the provinces can implement and put it into effect.  'THE CANADIAN ECONOMY  The first instruction I would give would be to the most senior officials of the Department of Finance, Revenue and the Treasury Board to meet with representatives of the Economic Council of Canada and the central Bank to give the new government immediately, a full assessment of where we stand, and of what, in their view, must be done. This would be as useful for the country as it would be novel for the officials, whose advice -when they have had a chance to give it-has been largely ignored for the past five years.  We would go to work at once to establish a coordinating framework with the provinces. It is time we recognized that it is simply not possible for a national economic policy to be effective in Canada unless there is some commitment on the part of the provinces to the measures and the objectives of that policy. Therefore, the framework of federal-provincial co-ordination that we set up must do three things:  One, it must establish a basis of consultation so that we may integrate, as much as we can, our revenue and expenditure programs. We must undertake with the provinces a thorough review of the effect upon the economy of the various operations of government and its agencies. Each program of each government-whether it is a tax or a tariff, a transportation subsidy or a new expenditure-each has an effect upon other programs, and upon the economy as a whole. We do not know enough about the effects of government spending in Canada, and we must know more before we embark upon new programs of taxation or expenditure.  Two, it must develop joint policies to stabilize the process of growth and particularly to isolate the causes and sources of inflation, and correct these sources of inflation. My own view is that, if we demonstrate that we at the federal level are prepared to do our part fully to eliminate inflation, the pressure from labour for high wage gains to offset the rising cost-of-living, and from industry on prices to offset the increase in costs, will quick ly moderate. But we in Government must demonstrate the example.  Three, this co-ordinating framework must commence to work together to stimulate the economic growth process. I have often mentioned the priorities of productivity, training and education, and technology. We shall have to stimulate applied research, and the application of this research. We must make the training and education we require available. We must induce, and not impede, a new thrust in productive development and capital investment.  This is not very exciting work. It is concerned primarily with putting the house in order, and keeping it that way. But it is essential if we are to establish an effective and integrated national economic policy.  It is the only way a federal state can agree on goals, and reach them. It is the way we must begin if we are serious about controlling costs, and containing unemployment, and achieving an adequate rate of growth.  Development  This is a young country, and requires development. We will encourage the development activities of the extractive industries by positive tax incentives, despite the contrary recommendation of the Carter Commission. I do not want this to be taken as a general comment upon the recommendation of the Commission to be unacceptable.  In addition, we will revitalize the National Energy Board, and charge it with the responsibility of undertaking in concert with the provinces and representatives of the petroleum and scientific communities, extensive studies into three major areas of resource policy.  The first will be to review and bring up to date a National Oil Policy.  The second will be to review the role of the independent producer, and consider the feasibility of measures to encourage Canadian initiative in energy development.  The third would be to consider means to coordinate and strengthen petroleum research programs, as a means of encouraging Canadian scientists and technicians to stay in Canada.  A Progressive Conservative Government will develop and pursue a National Science Policy, to assist in industrial and resource development in particular, and to assist generally in the solution of modern social and economic problems.  At present, a great many departments and agencies of the Federal Government are involved in aspects of scientific and technological research. These include the National Research Council, the Medical Research Council, the Defence Research Board, and numerous research divisions within many different government departments. A beginning has been made, with the Science Council and the Science Secretariat, upon the coordination of the work of these many separate agencies. But a great deal more could and should be done. We must ensure that we are making the most of our opportunities, that we are making the best possible use of our national manpower and financial resources; and that the Government's manifold interests in science and technology are planned and coordinated in such a way as to promote the national interest and national objectives.  To this end, both the Science Council and the Science Secretariat should be strengthened, their terms of reference redefined and amplified.  It was one of the major recommendations of the Glassco Commission that there should be someone at the cabinet level to speak for scientific policy and to co-ordinate existing activities in the fields of research and development. Ibis recommendation recognized not only the fact that the federal government already has a role to play in this area, but recognized as well the fact that science and technology now affect major decisions in all of the major departments of the federal government.  We consider this proposal to be of great merit and of considerable importance. Science and technology ought not to be an annex or an adjunct or an afterthought in the responsibilities of a Minister so busy with other duties that considerations of science and technology receive inadequate attention.  HOUSING  A Progressive Conservative government would allow Canadians to deduct from their income tax 90 percent of all mortgage interest payments above the level of seven percent.