OPPORTUNITY FOR ALL  THE LIBERAL PLAN FOR THE FUTURE OF CANADA  > Smart Country  > Healthy People, Healthy Environment  > Canada: Vigorous and Proud  A Message from the Right Honourable Jean Chrétien, Prime Minister of Canada  Canada stands on the threshold of a new era, one that promises greater prosperity and more opportunity for all Canadians. New jobs and new businesses are being created in every part of the country. Our already high standard of living is rising. Our people are living healthier, longer, and better lives.  Our diversity is a source of creativity, and our ability to work together is a source of strength. Our status as one of the world’s most livable and civil societies is recognized around the globe. We are a country on the rise.  The success we have achieved has come not only from strong economic growth but from strong, abiding values: sharing risks and benefits, equality of all citizens, tolerance, and celebration of our differences.  In an era of globalization, Canada needs a vision for the future that recognizes a national perspective and the aspirations of all Canadians. Our vision sees Canadian society as more than a collection of competing interests. We see Canadians not only as taxpayers but as citizens with obligations to one another. Our vision sees a strong national government as essential to serving the broader public interest.  The choices we make today will determine the kind of society we will have tomorrow. This election presents Canadians with very different visions for the future. The Liberal plan builds on a record of success. It is bold and resolutely forwardlooking. It is based on widely shared values and deeply held Canadian principles that reflect the Canadian Way.  Our agenda will vault Canada into the new economy. We will ensure that the new economy benefits all citizens and that no one is left behind.  We are already succeeding in that new economy. The evidence is everywhere. It’s in the higher disposable incomes that Canadians are now beginning to enjoy in a strong and stable economy. It’s in the new businesses, products, technologies, and jobs that are being created every day. It’s in the communities and classrooms across Canada, one of the most connected countries in the world. It’s in the level and quality of social services we can afford to provide.  Our success did not just happen. Canadians made it happen. Our country faced difficult times when the Liberal government first took office. We dealt with problems together, we remained true to our values, and we shared the work that needed to be done to put the country on the right track and move it in the right direction.  We have taken a balanced approach. We eliminated the deficit, put a lid on inflation, lowered interest rates, and balanced the budget. We reduced taxes and began paying down the debt.  At the same time, we have invested for the future in health care, education, innovation, children, the environment, and the social programs that are the foundation of a strong society. In fact, close to 75% of our spending since 1997 has been in these areas.  The same values that sustained us in the difficult times will guide us in the better times ahead. Our purpose will be, as it has always been, to do better for ourselves and our children.  We will marshal the resources of the national government to provide leadership, set bold new goals, and ensure that we have the means to achieve them. We will continue our balanced approach of allocating half of our surpluses to tax and debt reduction, and the other half to social and economic investments. This approach will ensure that Canada has the resources to expand opportunity for all.  We will focus on achieving the following goals:  CANADA WILL BE A SMART COUNTRY. Under a Liberal government, Canada will expand its considerable knowledge, innovation, and research capacity, and accelerate its leadership in the new economy. Canada will become a magnet for talented people and new investors.  CANADA WILL HAVE HEALTHY PEOPLE AND A HEALTHY ENVIRONMENT. A Liberal government will invest in the health of Canadians. We will support the early development of our children. And we will ensure that our citizens enjoy a clean, healthy environment.  CANADA WILL HAVE VIGOROUS COMMUNITIES. A Liberal government will help Canadians make their urban and rural communities safe, livable, and selfsustaining.  CANADIANS WILL ENJOY PROUD CITIZENSHIP, AT HOME AND ABROAD. A Liberal government will strengthen our Canadian institutions and way of life. We will celebrate our nation’s diversity and safeguard the equality of all our citizens. We will also continue to promote the values of Canadians on the world stage.  I ask Canadians to compare the Liberal platform and the Liberal team for the future with those of other parties. The Liberals will give Canadians a stronger country, a more successful economy, and a better society. I ask for your confidence and support on November 27.  Jean Chrétien  STRONG FINANCES  Canada enters the 21st century with greater resources and more choices than it has had in decades. The choices we make will mirror our values as a society and our obligations to one another as citizens.  Since coming to office, the Liberal government has demonstrated sound economic and financial management. These achievements enabled us to eliminate a $42billion deficit in just four years and to begin paying down Canada’s debt. Since we balanced the books in 199798, close to threequarters of all new spending will have been devoted to health care, children, research, and education. During the same period, we will have paid down $28.7 billion in debt, and we will bring the debttoGDP ratio from its peak of 72% down to about 40% by 2005.  Taken together, our government’s tax measures since the elimination of the deficit will have reduced average personal income taxes for Canadians by 27%. For families with children, the tax reduction will average 35%.  OUR APPROACH  Our approach focuses on Canadian values. We will provide tax relief to all Canadians, particularly the middle class. We will help those who need it most so that no one is left behind as the economy moves forward. And we will promote economic growth and job creation.  OUR FOURPART PLAN  Our fourpart plan will help ensure better lives for Canadians:  - We will invest in the social fabric of this country, particularly health care and other areas which reflect the responsibility Canadians feel towards one another.  - We will increase investment in learning, research, and innovation to fuel the growth of our knowledgebased economy.  - We will continue to pay down the debt, because we owe it to our children to do so.  - We will reduce taxes further and faster so that Canadians will be able to have more disposable income.  OUR PROPOSED TAX PACKAGE  WE WILL REDUCE INCOME TAXES.  As of January 1, 2001, we will reduce the 29% top tax rate to 26% for incomes ranging from $60,000 to $100,000, and we will eliminate the deficit reduction surtax.  In 2000, we reduced the 26% middle rate for those earning between $30,000 and $60,000 to 24%. As of January 1, 2001, we will reduce it further, to 22%.  As of January 1, 2001, we will reduce the bottom rate to 16% from 17% for incomes below $30,000.  WE WILL HELP THOSE WHO NEED IT MOST.  We will provide fuel tax rebates of up to $250 per household to help low and modestincome Canadians cope with the higher costs of fuel prices this winter.  We will help postsecondary students with the rising costs of education by doubling the amount on which the education tax credit is based, to $400 per month for fulltime students and $120 per month for parttime students.  We will increase the disability tax credit from $4,293 to $6,000 to help individuals who, because of disability, are severely limited in their ability to carry on basic activities of daily life.  We will increase the caregiver tax credit to $3,500 from $2,386 to help individuals who provide inhome care for elderly or infirm family members.  ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND RISKTAKING  To encourage entrepreneurship and risktaking, we will cut the top corporate income tax rate from 28% to 21% by legislating 2% cuts in 2002 and the two subsequent years. We will reduce the capital gains inclusion rate from 66% to 50%. These changes make our corporate and capital gains tax rates more than competitive with those of our major trading partners.  Most important, we will put a lot more money in the pockets of Canadians:  - A oneearner family of four with an income of $40,000 will see their federal taxes fall by about 60%, or $1,900 a year. A similar family of four earning $60,000 will see their taxes decrease by about 30%, for a savings of more than $2,800 a year.  - A twoearner family of four with an income of $60,000 will pay 34% less tax.  - And no oneearner family of four earning less than $37,000 will pay any net federal tax.  In short, our proposed measures, combined with those in the 2000 budget, will provide Canadians with $100 billion of cumulative tax relief by 200405.  1. SMART COUNTRY  A smart country is a place where people are the greatest source of competitive advantage.  A smart country does not separate social and economic wellbeing. It is a place where educated, skilled people want to live and work. It is the best place to do business. It is a hotbed of research and innovation, a place that attracts investment and encourages new ventures.  ACCELERATING INNOVATION  Canada must be a country that promotes knowledge and rewards innovation. Our strategy is to invest in people and in research.  BEING FAST, BEING FIRST  Today, technologies are changing rapidly and product cycles are shortening dramatically in all sectors. Canada cannot succeed by selling tomorrow’s products with yesterday’s ideas.  Those who are the first to develop new products win. The proof is in the success of Canada’s information technology, biotechnology, and aerospace industries – all global leaders in innovation.  Canadian scientists and companies are breaking new ground in fields as diverse as undersea fibre optics, environmentfriendly fuel cell technology, and cancer research. But Canada’s success in the new economy requires large increases in Canadian investments in innovation and research.  We have some catching up to do. Canada ranks 15th among OECD nations, our key trading partners, in how much we spend on research and development. We can do better.  INVESTMENTS IN INNOVATION  > A new Liberal government will help Canada move by 2010 to the top five countries for research and development performance by at least doubling federal expenditures on R&D.  This investment will spur basic and applied research, in both established and emerging sectors of the economy. We will also support research in areas of important public interest, including environmental toxins, public health, and natural resources management.  The private sector is key to R&D in Canada. And as a country Canada must do more.  > A new Liberal government will help the private sector by maintaining R&D tax credits that are already among the most generous in the world, and by working to commercialize discoveries made in government and university labs.  This investment in innovation will increase economic growth all across Canada. It will build the research capacity of our institutions, including that of smaller universities. It will enable growth of national centres and technology clusters in every region: from fuel cells in British Columbia to medical imaging in Alberta, from municipal environmental management in Saskatchewan to photonics and biochips in Ontario, from biopharmaceuticals in Quebec to marine engineering and life sciences in the Atlantic provinces.  Our country was built by immigrants who were drawn to Canada by the promise of land. What the land could produce was limited by nature. What the mind can produce is limitless.  CANADA MUST BE A COUNTRY THAT PROMOTES KNOWLEDGE AND REWARDS INNOVATION. OUR STRATEGY IS TO INVEST IN PEOPLE AND IN RESEARCH.  CONNECTING CANADIANS  Over a century ago, Canadians built a great railway to link the nation from coast to coast. Today, it is the Internet that is connecting Canadians with one another, and with the world. The Internet is revolutionizing the way people communicate, exchange information, and transact business.  Many Canadians are already participating in this revolution and prospering from it. We are among the most wired nations in the world, and our access costs are the lowest among G8 nations. Canada is also home to companies that are world leaders in Internet technologies.  The Liberal government has already made great progress in helping Canadians to access the Internet. Canada is the first country in the world to connect all of its schools to the Internet. We have established public Internet access points in communities across the country, and we have connected voluntary organizations. We will continue to help persons with disabilities gain access to assistive technologies to ensure that they can participate fully in the wired world.  The next challenge is highspeed broadband Internet access, which will open up new opportunities for Canadians, no matter where they live or what their stage in life. Local clinics can use highspeed Internet to access medical specialists in large urban centres. Through distance learning, education will be available anywhere. Local businesses can connect with suppliers and customers in other parts of the country. This new ebusiness will translate into new jobs and economic activity.  The private sector is already expanding highspeed Internet to major urban centres. But given the high cost of infrastructure, providing services in some smaller communities may not be commercially feasible. Liberals believe that all Canadians should have access to these services.  > A new Liberal government will make highspeed broadband Internet access available to residents and businesses in all communities in Canada by 2004. We will work with the private sector to achieve this goal.  > A new Liberal government will be a model user of information technology and the Internet, so that by 2004 Canada will be known around the world for having the government most electronically connected to its citizens.  We believe that the Internet can be about more than doing business and delivering services to Canadians. Broad access to the Internet will enable Canadian citizens to engage in the democratic process by having an electronic pipeline to government and to their representatives in Parliament.  THE NEXT CHALLENGE IS HIGHSPEED BROADBAND INTERNET ACCESS, WHICH WILL OPEN UP NEW OPPORTUNITIES FOR CANADIANS.  CANADIAN CULTURE, CANADIAN CHOICES  Culture is the embodiment of a country’s creativity, spirit, and identity. As Canadians, we take pride in who and what we are. Our culture binds us together and contributes to the building of Canada.  Globalization and the borderless information age raise some difficult questions about the ability of countries to carve out a unique cultural presence. In a world dominated by American television, films, and Internet sites, our goal as Canadians is not to keep that influence out but to ensure that Canadians have Canadian choices.  This aim has been the driving force behind efforts to protect and promote Canadian content in books, magazines, newspapers, television, movies, and music. It is also why the federal government has introduced new initiatives to help Canada’s cultural sectors adapt to the global Internet environment.  MORE CANADA IN CANADA  > A new Liberal government will stimulate the creation of Canadian cultural content for the Internet, in both French and English, and will accelerate the development of new media production in Canada.  We will digitize existing Canadian cultural content housed with the CBC and the National Film Board, as well as those works currently in our museums, libraries, and galleries. Canadian reference materials will also be made widely available through the Internet.  > A new Liberal government will establish a onestop allCanadian website.  This new website, <access.ca>, is a portal that will take Canadian users to Canadian sites first. It will jumpstart efforts to meet the growing demands of Canadians seeking local online shopping as well as public information and services. The website will stimulate the development of Canadian Internet content in both French and English.  MORE CANADA IN THE WORLD  > A new Liberal government will increase its support for the arts in Canada and help expand international markets for our artists and creators through a new marketing campaign that uses cultural products to brand Canada abroad.  The rise of the Internet has brought on the consolidation and convergence of culture, news, and communications. These trends pose challenges for industries such as Canadian book publishing and sound recording that are dominated by small, independent companies.  > A new Liberal government will support Canadian book publishers and the sound recording sector as they adopt new technologies and will ensure that they continue to be leading providers of Canadian content in the new economy.  In this new environment, Canada’s national public broadcaster, the CBC, must continue to play its important role in linking Canadians to one another and reflecting Canada’s diversity to Canadians and the world.  LEARNING FOR LIFE  The human mind is the engine of growth in the new economy. Continuous learners will thrive in this new environment.  There was a time when most adults entered the labour market expecting that their schooldays – and their learning – were over. They saw little need to adapt their skills or refresh their education, because the jobs they began with were often the ones they held through to retirement.  Those days are gone. Continuous learning is both more necessary and more possible than ever before for Canadians at every age and every stage of their lives.  The new economy is creating new products and services, new industries, and new career opportunities. Highskilled, highwage jobs are going unfilled because the demand is outstripping the supply of talent. In this environment, workers can expect to have multiple employers and multiple careers over the course of their working lives.  Lifelong learning will be key to Canada’s longterm prosperity. It will mean higher wages, more career choices, and greater economic security for Canadians in many walks of life.  One of the Liberal government’s highest priorities has been helping to provide Canadians with more opportunities and resources for learning. We are supporting communitybased early childhood programs so that more children start school ready to learn. We are helping parents save for their children’s postsecondary education. We are expanding scholarships, grants, and student debt relief so that more people can afford to pursue a university or college education. And we will do more in these areas.  MORE LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES  Millions of Canadians currently in the workforce could benefit from additional learning, but many do not have the time or the money needed to undertake it. A new Liberal government will help individuals who are willing to work hard to upgrade their skills and enhance their education.  > A new Liberal government will create Registered Individual Learning Accounts to help Canadians finance their learning needs.  We will top up the savings of each contributor and provide additional support for people with low and modest incomes. These individual accounts will be used for courses at public or privatesector training and educational institutions licensed by a provincial government. With so many Canadians ready and able to purchase courses, Canada’s training system will be expanded, transformed, and tailored to meet the needs of learners.  Our goal is for at least one million people currently in the workforce to take advantage of increased learning opportunities during the first five years of this new program.  > A new Liberal government will significantly improve loans available for parttime students to help workers learn while they earn.  > A new Liberal government will add substantially to tax supports for learning.  These initiatives will increase the education and learning choices available to individuals.  At the same time, we are working with the provincial and territorial labour market ministers to upgrade the skills of Canadian workers and meet the changing needs of Canada’s businesses.  We will work with the provinces and territories on a system to recognize the education credentials of new immigrants so they can improve their job opportunities. We will also work together to match workers with opportunities in the skilled trades and in newly emerging sectors.  We recognize that businesses with fewer than 50 workers are particularly pressed for time, resources, and expertise in training their workers. We will work with the provinces, small business leaders, and educational leaders to address this challenge.  Businesslabour sector councils have helped industries understand and anticipate the needs of their sectors. A new Liberal government will continue to work with businesslabour sector councils to meet the training needs of Canada’s workers and businesses.  CONTINUOUS LEARNING IS BOTH MORE NECESSARY AND MORE POSSIBLE THAN EVER BEFORE FOR CANADIANS AT EVERY AGE AND EVERY STAGE OF THEIR LIVES.  OUR GOAL IS FOR AT LEAST ONE MILLION PEOPLE CURRENTLY IN THE WORKFORCE TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF INCREASED LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES.  GIVING OUR CHILDREN A HEAD START  Caring well for our children today will lead to a healthy, resilient, and secure population tomorrow.  Advanced economies and enlightened societies run on brainpower. Smart countries support the next generation. A good start for young children is dependent on adequate family incomes, strong relationships with parents and other caregivers, and community supports.  The Liberal government’s goal is to make Canada the best country for raising children by ensuring that babies are born healthy, and that children are well cared for and ready to learn when they enter school.  INCOME SUPPORT  The Liberal government is helping families with the cost of raising children by reducing taxes, increasing child benefits, and providing extended parental leave.  The measures we announced in February and October 2000 will cut taxes for families with children by an average of 27%.  The Canada Child Tax Benefit (CCTB) provides further support for families. The maximum benefit will be increased to $2,500 for the first child and will also be increased for each additional child.  We will increase tax support for families caring for children with severe disabilities.  TIME FOR PARENTS AND CHILDREN  Few things are more important than for parents to be able to spend time with newborn children. That is why, beginning January 1, 2001, the Liberal government is doubling maternity and parental benefits from six months to one full year.  COMMUNITY SUPPORTS  To enhance services for children, the federal, provincial, and territorial governments launched the Early Childhood Development Initiative in September 2000. In support of this initiative, the Liberal government is committed to making the substantial investment of $2.2 billion over five years. This new funding will support investments to improve access to prenatal services and infant screening, preschool programs and child care, parenting information, and family supports.  THE LIBERAL GOVERNMENT IS COMMITTED TO MAKING THE SUBSTANTIAL INVESTMENT OF $2.2 BILLION OVER FIVE YEARS IN EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT.  EMPOWERING YOUTH  Today’s young Canadians are the most educated, bilingual, culturally diverse, openminded, and optimistic generation in our country’s history. They are comfortable with complexity and adapt readily to change.  Canada’s youth are quickly moving to where we want to be as a country. They are learning and working to the beat of the new economy. They are smarter, more socially engaged, and more globally connected than any previous generation. And they are often technologically literate and Internet savvy.  The Liberal government has helped many young people gain important life experience and make a difference in the areas that matter most to them. We sponsor youth exchanges to give them the chance to experience other regions of the country. We have harnessed the energy of young people in community environmental projects. We help young people use their creative talents in film, television, and the arts. We have supported young athletes in fulfilling their dreams, at home and on the world stage.  We have also helped young people find jobs that use their skills and meet their career aspirations.  > A new Liberal government will help more young people turn their ideas into employment opportunities. We will work with the private sector and others to expand financing and business services for young entrepreneurs. And we will help more young creators and artists launch their careers.  Young people have been charting new territory in many areas, but most striking is the speed at which they are seizing opportunities on the Internet.  The Liberal government has tapped the energy and skills of young people to expand Internet access to all Canadians. Youth have designed multimedia products that connect schools and communities to the Internet. Young technicians are repairing donated computers for schools, while others are training people in basic computer applications or helping developing countries get connected by creating websites and networks.  A new Liberal government will provide more opportunities for Canada’s young people to become Internet connected and Internet literate. More youth will have the chance to develop their creative talents in areas such as website design, digital content development, and ebusiness.  > A new Liberal government will put Internetsavvy young people together with small businesses to sharpen their ebusiness capabilities, and with seniors to connect them with their communities online.  CANADA’S YOUTH ARE QUICKLY MOVING TO WHERE WE WANT TO BE AS A COUNTRY.  2. HEALTHY PEOPLE, HEALTHY ENVIRONMENT  A healthy population is the foundation of a smart country.  Canadians are living longer, healthier, and better lives. Universal access to highquality health care is one of the key reasons. The quality of the air they breathe and the water they drink is another. The two are connected. With the right investments in health care and a clean environment, Canadians can continue to be among the healthiest people in the world.  A NEW MILESTONE FOR HEALTH CARE  Medicare is a profound statement of Canadian values. It reflects our fundamental belief that health care is something to which everyone is entitled, not a commodity for sale to the highest bidder.  Liberal governments have played a key role in building medicare. We introduced universal hospital insurance in the 1950s and universal medical insurance in the 1960s and 1970s, and we adopted the Canada Health Act in 1984. We have defended the fundamental principles of the system, provided a stable funding base, promoted innovation, and championed prevention and health promotion.  MEDICARE FOR ALL CANADIANS  Canadians reject twotier health care that provides one level of care to the rich and another to the poor. They want their governments to defend medicare from those who would privatize and commercialize a system that works on the basis of need, not ability to pay. And they want an ironclad guarantee that no jurisdiction will be allowed to open the door to twotier health care.  > A new Liberal government will defend and vigorously uphold the values of medicare to ensure that all Canadians continue to have full and equal access to highquality health care. We will maintain the essential role of the federal government in enforcing the conditions of the Canada Health Act.  AN ACTION PLAN FOR HIGHQUALITY HEALTH CARE  The Health Action Plan endorsed by first ministers on September 11, 2000, marked a major milestone for medicare. This agreement a first for Canada commits all governments to respecting the fundamental principles of medicare and to working collaboratively to build a modern, sustainable health care system.  The Health Action Plan will translate into visibly better service for Canadians as the provinces begin to invest their increased federal transfers in their health care systems. Canadians can expect easier access to diagnostic services and treatments, as well as to home and community care. They can expect a more patientcentred system with  better coordination and teamwork by health professionals. They can expect less overcrowding of hospital emergency wards. In short, Canadians can expect a health care system that works better and smarter to meet their needs.  > A new Liberal government will implement the Health Action Plan to enable all levels of government, working together, to build a modern, sustainable health care system that meets the immediate and future needs of Canadians.  > A new Liberal government will increase health care transfers to provinces by $18.9 billion over five years, the single largest investment in medicare ever made.  > A new Liberal government will invest $2.3 billion to help provinces address critical health care needs and services:  - We are committing $1 billion to a medical equipment fund to shorten waiting lists and waiting times and make advanced medical equipment like MRIs and linear accelerators for cancer treatment more accessible to Canadians.  - We will invest $800 million over four years to improve primary health care services so that Canadians can get timely access to coordinated care from family physicians, nurse practitioners, and other frontline health care providers in their communities.  - We will invest $500 million for health information technologies to implement electronic patient records that will ensure faster and more coordinated care and reduce red tape for patients as they move through the system.  The Health Action Plan also commits governments to work together on a range of other issues, such as the supply of doctors and nurses and the costeffectiveness of prescription drugs. Shortages of doctors and nurses will be addressed by adding more trained personnel, putting an end to fierce competition between provinces to attract health care professionals. Greater collaboration in assessing the costeffectiveness of prescription drugs will help Canadians make optimal use of pharmaceuticals and will enable governments to better control soaring drug costs.  REPORTING TO CANADIANS  Canadians are entitled to reliable information about health and health care. The Health Action Plan commits governments to regular public reporting on the performance of the health system. This is the foundation that will eventually enable governments to make clear commitments to Canadians about the quality of services they can reasonably expect from the health system.  The Liberal government has been working to put in place the infrastructure needed to let Canadians know how the system is performing and to allow comparisons between institutions and regions. We will continue to work with the provinces to develop comparable measures for reporting to Canadians on health status, health outcomes, and quality of services. We will ensure that citizens have a voice in this process.  > A new Liberal government will create a citizens’ council on health care quality to provide the public’s perspective on measures of quality that are relevant and meaningful to Canadians. The council will also provide advice on benchmarks of health system performance that Canadians can reasonably expect.  Appointments to the council will be made jointly by the federal and provincial governments and will reflect an appropriate range of citizen interests and viewpoints.  CHAMPIONING RESEARCH  Worldclass health research is vital to ensuring highquality health services and improving the health of Canadians. The Liberal government created the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) to champion a cuttingedge approach to a full spectrum of health research, from experiments in cell biology to studies on the factors that make us healthy.  We have doubled the budget for health research over the last three years, and we have set out to recruit and retain the best health researchers. CIHR institutes will work with partners to accelerate the pace of new discoveries leading to better care – discoveries like the widely acclaimed advance in treatment of diabetes developed by a team of researchers at the University of Alberta. CIHR institutes will also help find better ways of delivering health care and new approaches to promote health and prevent illness.  > As part of its overall commitment to increase federal research spending, a new Liberal government will provide a further major increase in funding for the Canadian Institutes of Health Research.  COMMUNITY ACTION  Health care is not only about what governments, health care providers, or technology can do; it is also about what individuals and communities can do for themselves. Together with the provinces, we will help communities take local action in areas of local concern such as injury prevention, nutrition, physical activity, mental health, smoking and substance abuse, and environmental factors.  We will draw on the expertise of centres of excellence, medical faculties, and other organizations across the country that deal with public health issues. Communities and workplaces will be able to get funding, resource materials, and uptodate information so that they can develop action plans that target the particular needs of their communities.  > A new Liberal government will champion community action on illness prevention, health promotion, and wellness.  > We will strengthen efforts at the national level to combat smoking by increasing tobacco taxes, strengthening regulation, and enhancing prevention and cessation initiatives.  CANADIANS CAN EXPECT A HEALTH CARE SYSTEM THAT WORKS BETTER AND SMARTER TO MEET THEIR NEEDS.  WE WILL CHAMPION COMMUNITY ACTION ON ILLNESS PREVENTION, HEALTH PROMOTION, AND WELLNESS.  A HEALTHY FUTURE FOR ABORIGINAL PEOPLE  Aboriginal people are an integral part of the fabric of Canadian society. Canada must continue to address the economic and social challenges facing Aboriginal people today. The Aboriginal population in Canada is overwhelmingly young. We must ensure that this next generation is able to take full advantage of the opportunities available.  A SMART START  The Aboriginal Head Start Program works with young First Nations, Métis, and Inuit children to prepare them for school. It involves parents in cultural, health promotion, education, and nutrition programs. These programs are working.  > A new Liberal government will build on the success of the Aboriginal Head Start Program by increasing its resources to give our children a smart start in life. We will also create programs for Aboriginal children with special needs.  BUILDING DYNAMIC ECONOMIES  The Internet has given all communities, particularly those in remote locations, new opportunities for economic development. A new Liberal government will seek additional opportunities to work with communities, provincial and territorial governments, and the private sector to foster the development of economic skills and prosperous economies in First Nations and Inuit communities.  PREVENTION FIRST  Aboriginal communities face high rates of injuries, suicides, and illnesses such as diabetes. Community action in key areas such as mental health, injury prevention, nutrition, and smoking cessation can help reverse these trends.  > A new Liberal government will work with Aboriginal communities to help them take action to prevent diseases and injuries and promote wellness.  PRESERVING LANGUAGES  Aboriginal languages are an important part of Canada’s identity. In 1998, the Liberal government created the Aboriginal Languages Initiative to revitalize and maintain Aboriginal languages.  > A new Liberal government will continue to support Aboriginal children and youth in learning about their languages and cultures in natural settings rather than exclusively in classrooms.  STRENGTHENING THE RELATIONSHIP  Canada’s continued progress and prosperity in the new millennium will rely in part on the evolution of our relationship with Aboriginal people. A new Liberal government will continue to build on and strengthen our relationship with Aboriginal people.  LIVING LONGER, LIVING BETTER  Older Canadians are living longer, more active, and more independent lives. Successive Liberal governments have worked to ensure that we have a public pension system and universal health care to support an aging population well. All Canadian citizens should be entitled to live with dignity and security, whatever their age and whatever their economic status.  In the mid1990s, the ReformAlliance party called for the privatization of the Canada Pension Plan. The Liberal government, standing firm on its commitment to public pensions, reformed and secured the Canada Pension Plan for future generations.  The Liberal government is also committed to universal medicare so that all Canadians have timely access to highquality health care services, regardless of their income. In September 2000, the federal and provincial governments launched a Health Action Plan to ensure that Canadians can continue to rely on a modern, sustainable public health care system that meets their needs.  To help families with the cost of caring for infirm family members, we introduced a caregiver tax credit in 1998.  > A new Liberal government will increase the caregiver tax credit to provide additional support for caregivers.  PROMOTING HEALTHY AGING  Public pensions and universal medicare provide a solid foundation for the wellbeing of seniors. But a high quality of life for seniors also depends on their ability to live active, healthy lives.  > A new Liberal government will promote healthy aging to encourage seniors to lead healthy, active lives in their communities.  We will support programs that encourage seniors to become more active, improve their nutrition, increase their levels of physical activity, and reduce health risks, such as improper medication and injuries resulting from falls.  Many seniors are eager to join the information age. We will link seniors with youth to help them access the Internet so they can more easily find information, shop online, and communicate with family and friends.  In our work with communities to prevent crime, we will put special emphasis on what can be done to make seniors feel safe in their surroundings.  With an aging population, the housing needs of Canadians will evolve over the coming years. We will ask the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation to work with the private sector on a plan for increased construction of appropriate housing that meets the mobility and lifestyle needs of seniors.  WE WILL PROMOTE HEALTHY AGING TO ENCOURAGE SENIORS TO LEAD HEALTHY, ACTIVE LIVES IN THEIR COMMUNITIES.  CLEAN AIR, CLEAN WATER  A healthy population cannot thrive in an unhealthy environment. A smart country keeps its water and air free of contaminants and its natural habitats safe from harm.  CLEAN AIR  Clean air and water are Canada’s birthright. In passing the amended Canadian Environmental Protection Act in 1999, the Liberal government helped Canadians reclaim that birthright by creating new enforcement tools to clean up pollution.  > A new Liberal government will act to significantly improve air quality for all Canadians. We will make special efforts to clean up the air in our cities, where the population and the pollutants are most highly concentrated.  Fuels used in transportation are the largest cause of health problems arising from air pollution. We have already announced a dramatic reduction in the level of sulphur in gasoline across Canada. The decrease will relieve respiratory problems, such as asthma, and will lower the number of cases of bronchitis in children.  > A new Liberal government will continue to support the development of cleaner engines and fuels, and we will strengthen emissions standards for vehicles. We will greatly reduce sulphur in diesel fuel. These measures will mean cleaner air for all Canadians.  We are working with the provinces to reduce smog, the brown haze that hangs over many cities and causes serious health problems. We have already doubled funding for federalprovincial air pollution monitoring and launched pilot programs on smog forecasting. We will do more. Using the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, we will work with industry to ensure that smog levels in our cities are reduced.  Much of the smog that is compromising Canadians’ health in Ontario, Quebec, and the Maritime provinces originates in the United States. Our recent agreement with the United States will lock in a significant decrease in this transboundary pollution.  WATER SYSTEMS  > A new Liberal government will fund improvements to municipal water and wastewater systems through the federalprovincialmunicipal Infrastructure Canada program. We will also conduct more research on contaminants that threaten our water supplies.  > A new Liberal government will work with the provinces, territories, and municipal governments to create the first building code for municipal water and wastewater facilities. This code will help improve the ability of municipalities to meet high standards for water quality.  REDUCING TOXINS  Canadians are concerned that chemicals and other toxic substances are making adults and children sick.  > A new Liberal government will significantly increase funding for research into the effects of toxins on our health.  This investment will support research into all sources of toxins in our environment. It will fund research into endocrinedisrupting chemicals, indoor air quality problems, and heavy metals that pose special risks for children. And it will be used to reevaluate lawn pesticides to safeguard against any potential public risks.  We will deepen our research into specific toxic substances and the cumulative effect of all toxins on our health. We will insist that companies responsible for these substances do their share of the research.  But it is not enough to do the research. We will assign responsibility for following up and acting on problems identified by the research.  OUR NATIONAL PARKS  The Liberal government has overseen the creation of seven new national parks over the past seven years. We are proud of this record, and we will build on it by creating new national parks to complete our National Parks System.  The Panel on the Ecological Integrity of Canada’s National Parks has concluded that our national parks face serious threats, including habitat loss, air pollution, pesticides, and overuse by visitors.  > A new Liberal government will provide additional funding to Parks Canada to protect our national parks and create new ones.  PROTECTING SPECIES AT RISK  The Liberal government is acting to protect endangered species and to prevent other species from becoming endangered. We are committing $45 million annually for the preservation of species and habitats. We are making it easier for people to donate ecologically significant lands as a way of permanently protecting the species that live on them. In addition, the Liberal government introduced the Species at Risk Act to protect endangered species.  WE WILL WORK WITH INDUSTRY TO ENSURE THAT SMOG LEVELS IN OUR CITIES ARE REDUCED.  WE WILL DEEPEN OUR RESEARCH INTO SPECIFIC TOXIC SUBSTANCES AND THE CUMULATIVE EFFECT OF ALL TOXINS ON OUR HEALTH.  ACTING ON CLIMATE CHANGE  Climate change is a very significant environmental threat facing the planet. Canada is showing leadership on the climate change problem by becoming part of the solution.  Canada is committed to doing its part to reduce global greenhouse gas emissions. Canada was among the many nations that signed the Kyoto Protocol. We made a commitment to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions to 6% below 1990 levels between 2008 and 2012. To meet that target, the Liberal government has worked with provincial, territorial, and municipal governments, industry, the commercial sector, and nongovernmental organizations on a national strategy.  Since 1997, the Liberal government has committed over $1 billion to addressing climate change and promoting energy efficiency.  > A new Liberal government will attack the problem on several fronts under our Action Plan on Climate Change.  - We will promote increased energy efficiency in industry and in the transportation system.  - We will fund the development of new energy technologies, such as fuel cells, and help farmers to reduce agricultural emissions through improved farming methods.  - We will increase Canada’s use of renewable energy, such as electricity from wind and ethanol from biomass.  - We will encourage consumers to buy more energyefficient products by providing information and setting high product standards.  These strategies will reduce Canada’s greenhouse gas emissions, in keeping with our Kyoto commitment, and will improve air quality at home.  The Action Plan lays the groundwork for future initiatives that will enable Canada to meet its international commitments. In addition, it will provide substantial business opportunities for the development of new environmentfriendly products and services that can be sold at home and abroad.  CANADA IS COMMITTED TO DOING ITS PART TO REDUCE GLOBAL GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS.  3.CANADA: VIGOROUS AND PROUD  Canadians are proud of the vigorous communities in which they live, and of Canada’s role on the world stage. At home and abroad, Canadians are global citizens. We are comfortable with diversity because we are ourselves a mosaic of the world’s many peoples. We welcome the world to Canada, and we are welcomed throughout the world.  SAFE COMMUNITIES  The Liberal government has tackled crime through a tough but balanced approach. We have focused on prevention as much as punishment, and we have considered the rights of victims, while stiffening penalties for criminals.  We have provided communities with the tools and resources to prevent crime, not just deal with it after the fact. We have made sure that those who commit serious crimes face serious consequences. We have given victims of crime a greater voice in parole and other decisions that affect them in the justice system. To protect all Canadians, we have made Canada’s gun laws among the strictest in the world.  This approach is delivering tangible results. Crime rates are going down: in 1999, the rate of crime decreased for the eighth year in a row, falling to levels not seen for two decades. The rate of violent crime is 12% lower than when we took office. Property crime and youth crime are also declining. Canada’s rate of gunrelated homicide is oneeighth that of the United States. There is less crime, but even less crime is too much.  PROTECTING OUR CHILDREN  The most vulnerable members of our society need special protection. The Liberal government has already introduced measures to protect children from sexual abuse, prostitution, and other crimes that exploit them.  > A new Liberal government will further protect children by adding to the Criminal Code specific offences against children, such as criminal child  neglect or using the Internet to lure children for a sexual purpose.  > We will better protect children from those who may reoffend, and we will make it easier for children to provide testimony in criminal matters.  DEALING WITH YOUTH  Serious crimes call for serious consequences. In handling young offenders, we must move with care. Young people who get into trouble with the law must receive the treatment and support they require.  > A new Liberal government will reintroduce legislation to change how the justice system deals with young offenders. These changes will provide tougher consequences for youths age 14 and over who commit violent crimes, while encouraging alternatives to custody for nonviolent offenders.  > We will work with the provinces on approaches outside the criminal justice system to deal with  children under 12 who commit crimes.  PREVENTION AT THE COMMUNITY LEVEL  With the right support and tools, communities can address the root causes of crime. Since 1998, the Liberal government has helped more than 435 communities across Canada to organize themselves to prevent crime.  > A new Liberal government will substantially increase resources for the National Strategy on Community Safety and Crime Prevention to broaden and sustain community crime prevention efforts across the country. We will expand the reach of this initiative to better meet the needs of vulnerable groups such as seniors and persons with disabilities.  GIVING VICTIMS A VOICE  Victims of crime deserve to be treated with courtesy and compassion. The Liberal government passed legislation in 1999 to give victims a greater voice in the criminal justice system.  > A new Liberal government will increase the recognition of victims in the criminal justice system by ensuring that their perspective is considered in the development of legislation and by providing funding to help communities enhance services for victims of crime.  FIGHTING ORGANIZED CRIME  Canadians are increasingly concerned about the presence and impact of organized crime in their communities. They want a society where no one has to live in fear because of organized crime.  > A new Liberal government will introduce additional measures, as part of the FederalProvincialTerritorial Action Plan on Organized Crime, to target proceeds of crime, facilitate investigation and prosecution of organized crime, and protect members of the justice system from intimidation.  > We will review and strengthen antigang laws.  > We will provide federal law enforcement agencies with the resources they need to fight organized crime.  TACKLING SUBSTANCE ABUSE  Drug trafficking continues to be one of the most profitable criminal activities, particularly for organized crime. Youth drug use has gone back up to the levels of the 1970s, and substance abuse in some communities continues to run rampant.  > A new Liberal government will implement a National Drug Strategy to reduce both the supply of and the demand for drugs, and to crack down on organized crime.  The strategy will enhance prevention measures, improve treatment and rehabilitation, and support an expanded range of enforcement and control responses, such as drug treatment courts. It will also emphasize international antidrug cooperation and support for research and evaluation.  CROSSBORDER CRIME  Globalization has created new threats to security. Computer crime, exploitation of immigrants and refugees, and smuggling of people, arms, and drugs are among those threats. These issues require international solutions, and we are committed to working to achieve them.  THERE IS LESS CRIME, BUT EVEN LESS CRIME IS TOO MUCH.  STRONG CITIES  Cities are vital contributors to our national economy, our global competitiveness, and our quality of life.  Though recognized worldwide for their ability to combine robust economies with a high quality of life, our cities are showing signs of stress and strain. Our largest urban regions are struggling with homelessness, greater concentrations  of poverty, increasing demands on their transportation systems, aging and decaying infrastructure, and mounting pollution problems. We need to address these challenges to remain competitive.  > A new Liberal government will work with partners from across the country to enable citizens, experts, and officials from all orders of government to engage in a dialogue on the opportunities and challenges facing our urban regions.  Each order of government, working within its constitutional jurisdiction, can contribute to the quality of life in urban regions. The best approach permits local solutions to address local problems and offers opportunities for communities to share information.  PUBLIC TRANSIT  Transit systems that allow for the easy movement of people and goods are vital to the economic and environmental health of all cities. Business and municipal leaders, urban planners, and environmentalists agree that there is an urgent need for reinvestment in public transit.  > A new Liberal government will work with provincial and municipal partners to help improve public transit infrastructure.  AFFORDABLE HOUSING  Canada’s urban regions are experiencing a severe shortage of affordable rental housing. New construction of rental housing is at a near standstill. These shortfalls, combined with massive population increases, have brought vacancy rates to an alltime low and pushed costs beyond the reach of many Canadians.  > A new Liberal government will work with our provincial partners to create the Affordable Rental Program (ARP), a costshared capital grants program to help stimulate the creation of more affordable rental housing, both private and nonprofit. Under this initiative, we expect to see the construction of 60,000 to 120,000 new rental units over four years.  WE WILL WORK WITH OUR PROVINCIAL PARTNERS TO HELP STIMULATE THE CREATION OF MORE AFFORDABLE RENTAL HOUSING.  LOCAL SOLUTIONS TO RURAL CHALLENGES  Rural communities face many challenges such as attracting and growing businesses, and improving water, sewer, and telecommunications systems. Viewing policies and programs through a “rural lens” has enabled the Liberal government to deliver practical tools that work well in rural communities.  The Liberal government funds locally run groups that help small businesses get loans and help communities plan their future. We have improved water and sewage facilities through our infrastructure programs. We have required telephone companies to upgrade old technology. We have increased farm safety net support by 85% since 1995.  > A new Liberal government will ensure that every community in Canada has access to highspeed Internet services. This technology will help rural businesses grow, improve the delivery of government services, and ensure that all Canadians can be connected.  We will fund more local groups to help communities to plan together, to identify their own goals and control their own futures.  > The new federalprovincialmunicipal Infrastructure Canada program will fund sewer and water improvements over the next six years and will designate funds specifically for rural projects.  The federal and provincial governments have created a framework for a sustainable income safety net for Canadian farmers.  > A new Liberal government will continue striving to provide farmers with the tools to succeed financially while protecting the environment and water quality.  > We will push on all fronts for a level playing field in trade in agricultural products.  Our goal is to compete by producing the highestquality food products in the world.  > We will increase research on new and highquality products and production methods to meet changing consumer demands.  > We will fund aquaculture research so that this industry can grow safely.  > We will increase access to capital through the Business Development Bank of Canada and the Farm Credit Corporation.  > We will help grow industries that add value to primary resources by creating a dedicated fund for research and technology, and supporting a wood products marketing strategy.  WE HAVE INCREASED FARM SAFETY NET SUPPORT BY 85% SINCE 1995.  PROUD CITIZENS  Canada is a modern multicultural society. We are proud of our diversity. Our legal system, our Parliament, and our Charter of Rights and Freedoms institutionalize our democratic values, define our citizens’ rights and responsibilities, and protect our minorities.  The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms protects the rights of all Canadians. A new Liberal government will uphold these rights and vigorously defend them.  STRENGTHENING BILINGUALISM  Bilingualism is fundamental to Canadian identity. It has enriched the character of our national institutions and provided Canada with economic and cultural advantages on the global stage.  Over the past 30 years, the French language has gained its place in our national institutions and Frenchlanguage rights have been considerably strengthened. More young Canadians are growing up bilingual, and Canada is poised to lead the world as a producer of Frenchlanguage content on the Internet.  Liberals are committed to the spirit and the principles of the Official Languages Act.  > A new Liberal government will preserve the federal government’s essential role in protecting and promoting Canada’s official languages, and we will foster the development of officiallanguage minorities across Canada.  > We will ensure that both English and Frenchspeaking Canadians can participate fully in federal institutions and benefit fully from the services they offer. We will expand efforts to better reflect Canada’s official languages in the culture of the federal public service.  > We will increase funding for French immersion schools.  CELEBRATING DIVERSITY  Liberal governments have lifted barriers to participation and ensured that all Canadians benefit from the diversity within Canada’s borders.  We are fighting hate and racism on the Internet, and we support communitybased projects which help raise awareness of racism and conflict, especially among youth.  WELCOMING NEW IMMIGRANTS  Immigration has always been a defining characteristic of Canada, bringing together families that have been separated, providing a safe haven for refugees, and attracting skilled workers. At the same time, screening and security measures are in place to keep dangerous persons from entering the country.  > A new Liberal government will move Canada’s immigration levels closer to 1% of the population each year and ensure that sufficient resources are available to help families settle properly in Canada.  > A new Liberal government will make it easier for employers to bring highly skilled foreign workers and their spouses to Canada.  GLOBAL CITIZENS  Canadians are uniquely positioned to lead and succeed in the new global world. We are openminded and have an appreciation of different cultures because we ourselves are a mosaic of the world’s many peoples. We are an Atlantic, Pacific, and Arctic country. Our citizens speak most of the world’s languages, including our official languages, English and French. And we have a highly educated population, at a time when prosperity depends increasingly on the brainpower of a nation’s citizens.  Canada is well regarded in the international community. Our fairness, democracy, rule of law, and respect for human rights distinguish us at home and abroad. Our reputation has allowed us to play an important role in international affairs. We have pushed for greater international recognition of human rights and human security. We have opposed the abuse of child labour and the use of children in war. We led the international fight against the use of landmines, and we helped create the International Criminal Court.  Canada is now a world leader in peacekeeping and peacebuilding. We are working successfully with developing and new nations to establish democratic institutions and advance their social and economic development.  > A new Liberal government will continue Canada’s tradition of international leadership. We will continue to focus not only on relations between states but on how globalization and conflict affect individuals. We will continue to work to strengthen multilateral organizations such as the United Nations, the Organization of American States, and AsiaPacific Economic Cooperation so they can better address issues of good governance, democracy, and human security.  STRENGTHENING THE CANADIAN FORCES  Canadians are proud of the accomplishments of the Canadian Forces in responding to emergencies at home and in fulfilling peacekeeping and peacebuilding assignments around the world. We significantly increased resources for the Forces in the 2000 budget to help them do this important work.  > A new Liberal government will continue to ensure that the Canadian Forces are properly equipped and prepared to respond quickly to calls for help at home and abroad.  GLOBAL TRADE  Over the past decade, Canada has emerged as an international trading powerhouse. We now export 43% of our gross domestic product, and more than a third of Canadian jobs are tied to international trade. Millions more Canadians are working today because of our success in securing access to international markets and selling our products and services abroad.  The Liberal government has worked alongside Canadian businesses to ensure that they gain fair access to world markets. Our Team Canada trade missions have opened doors for Canadian exporters. We have aggressively defended the interests of our industries in international trade negotiations, including at the World Trade Organization.  > A new Liberal government will continue to open new export markets. We will press for a Free Trade Agreement of the Americas.  > A new Liberal government will continue to advocate fair trading rules. We will pursue trade that respects the needs of citizens, their communities, and their environment. We will continue to protect Canada’s public health care, public education, and culture.  BUILDING CANADA’S BRAND  Canadian businesses are now established in new economy industries such as telecommunications and new media, biotechnology, advanced manufacturing and robotics, and new environmental technologies. However, our strengths in these areas are not well enough known internationally. Our image abroad no longer reflects our experience, expertise, and potential.  > A new Liberal government will work with the private sector to brand Canada as one of the most innovative economies in the world. We will expand our network of trade commissioners and trade services by posting more officers specializing in new technologies in key foreign locations to market Canada as a prime location for investment and technology partnerships.  WORKING WITH DEVELOPING COUNTRIES  Prosperity and stability at home are increasingly linked to what is happening around the world. Social progress and democracy lead to economic prosperity, while poverty and injustice often spawn conflict.  Liberals believe that helping build stronger societies around the world will ultimately lead to greater global peace and prosperity. It is also quite simply the right thing to do.  The Liberal government has worked for democracy, social justice, and economic progress abroad. We have helped new and developing countries train judges and local police forces, modernize their economies, and build democratic institutions. We have helped countries invest in basic health, education, and nutrition, and in child protection. We have led an international call to forgive debts of the world’s poorest countries. We have supported programs to reduce the spread of AIDS and HIV, which are destabilizing some of the world’s most fragile countries.  > A new Liberal government will increase resources aimed at improving democracy, justice, and social stability abroad, and we will continue to lead the push for debt relief for the world’s poorest countries. We will help make trade work for developing countries by reducing tariffs on their goods.  LIBERALS BELIEVE THAT HELPING BUILD STRONGER SOCIETIES AROUND THE WORLD WILL ULTIMATELY LEAD TO GREATER GLOBAL PEACE AND PROSPERITY.  COSTING  PREVIOUSLY ANNOUNCED INITIATIVES  (in millions $) 20001 20012 20023 20034 20045 20056  Health Action Plan and Climate Change  Canada Health and Social Transfer (CHST) 2,500 3,200 3,800 4,400 5,000  Early childhood development (via CHST) 300 400 500 500 500  Medical equipment fund 1,000  Health information technology fund 500  Health transition fund for primary care 200 200 200 200  Climate change action 100 100 100 100 100  TOTAL 1,500 3,100 3,900 4,600 5,200 5,600  SPECIFIC COMMITMENTS  All commitments in this platform will be financed in accordance with our undertaking for sound fiscal management and balanced budgets. We will continue our balanced approach of allocating half of our surpluses to tax and debt reduction, and the other half to social and economic investments. Most major new spending initiatives will focus on health, education and research, environment, children, and infrastructure for the new economy. As resources permit, further significant new investments will be made, particularly in these areas. The platform also makes specific commitments, which are costed below.  (in millions $) 200102 200203 200304 200405  RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT  Basic and applied; new and existing sectors; environment and health; natural resources; granting agencies; NRC regional technology centres  Funding for R&D will be steadily increased to help place Canada among the top five OECD countries by 2010. The projected minimum level for 200405 is an additional $1 billion a year.  EDUCATION AND LEARNING  Registered learning accounts and parttime student  loan enhancements 315 500 700 810  COMMUNITY HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENT  Community mobilization for public health; research  and action on national parks, toxics and children’s health,  clean air, and soil, water, and food safety 230 305 350 390  CULTURE AND BRANDING CANADA ABROAD  Branding Canadian culture; <access.ca>; promoting  innovators; book publishing and sound recording 145 170 160 125  CRIME PREVENTION AND DRUG STRATEGY 115 130 150 170  CHILDREN AND YOUTH  Aboriginal Head Start and children with special needs;  opportunities for youth in new media and the Internet 100 110 120 125  HOUSING  Urban rental housing and remote housing 170 170 170 170  TOTAL FOR SPECIFIC COMMITMENTS* 1,075* 1,385* 1,650* 1,790*  * R&D funding will be increased over the course of the mandate.  By 200405, the additional amount allocated will be at least $1 billion annually.  OPPORTUNITY FOR ALL  THE LIBERAL PLAN FOR THE FUTURE OF CANADA  A new Liberal government will focus on achieving the following goals:  Canada will be a smart country.  Canada will have healthy people and a healthy environment.  Canada will have vigorous communities.  Canadians will enjoy proud citizenship, at home and abroad.  © Liberal Party of Canada, 2000  Published by:  Liberal Party of Canada  81 Metcalfe Street,  Suite 400  Ottawa, Ontario K1P 6M8  Telephone: (613) 2370740  This document is also available in PDF format on the Liberal Party  website: www.liberal.ca.  Ce document est aussi disponible en français.  Portions of this document may be reproduced without charge or written permission provided that appropriate acknowledgment is made of the source.  Authorized by The Federal Liberal Agency of Canada, registered agent for the Liberal Party of Canada.