Social Chapter 8

1. Social Chapter 8 Pages 289-293

2. What are some examples of political parties and their economic policies connected to social programs?

3. Bloc Québécois • Policy 2007 • Supports accessible health care for all citizens. • Supports income assistance for senior citizens in financial need, beyond payments under the Old Age Security Act. • Do you think income support for senior citizens would be beneficial for all citizens? Why or why not? • How would this reflect on taxes?

4. Conservative • The Conservative Party is improving Canada’s health care system to build a stronger, safer, better Canada. For example, Conservatives have provided $612 million in new funding to help provinces reduce patient wait times. • Canadians pay too much tax. Conservatives are cutting taxes to build a better Canada. For example, the Conservatives have cut the GST from 7% to 6%, and now to 5% - that’s a tax cut for all Canadians. • Do you think cutting taxes even more would be a good idea? Why or why not?

5. The green party fully supports the Canadian health act and all of its principles. We appose any level of privatized, for profit health care. • The green party of Canada would take steps towards a Guaranteed Livable Income (GLI) for all. A GLI could eliminate poverty. It would provide a regular annual payment to every Canadian without regard to need, set at a bare subsistence level Canadians would add to the GLI with other income. • What are your opinions on the Green Party of Canada’s platform?

6. Policy 2007 • Our national health care system is a legacy that Liberals will never abandon. We will ensure that our health care system will continue to be there when Canadians need it, no matter where they live, and no matter what their income. • Canada has the capacity to improve it’s social programs and help Canadians across the country experience equality of opportunity. • What are your opinions on the Liberals platform?

7. Canadians want quality, reliable heath care for everyone, not just those who can afford to buy it. That’s why the NDP created public Medicare, in this country, and why we defend it so strongly. • Poverty denies us freedom and hope. Confronting poverty means recognizing the human dignity in everyone – and our responsibility to help those neighbours who fall through the cracks • What are your opinions on the NDP’s platform?

8. USA Democratic Party • Supports measures to provide health care insurance to every citizen, so that all citizens can afford medical care. • Supports continuation of income support for senior citizens who can’t meet their basic needs. • How would having health care provided for all citizens benefit? • What would the effect on their taxes be?

9. USA Republican Party • Supports making private health insurance more affordable for more citizens by offering tax cuts. • Supports lower taxes • Supports changes in income support for senior citizens that reduce taxes in the long term • Would raising taxes by a little in order to offer free health care be a smarter decision or not?

10. Tommy Douglas Many Canadians call Tommy Douglas the “father” of Canada’s health care system. He campaigned the idea of a health care system available to all and paid for by taxes, first as the premier of Saskatchewan from 1944 to 1961, and then as the leader of the New Democratic Party from 1961 to 1971. In 2004, Canadians voted Tommy Douglas the “Greatest Canadian” in a nationwide contest sponsored by CBC. Why might Canadians view Douglas as an important Canadian? How might the choice of Douglas as a great Canadian reflect Canadian Values and identity?