Federal Election 2011Where the parties stand
What will the parties do for lung health?
Here’s what Canada’s political parties have said about our key issues in this election:
1. Support for Canada’s first national action plan on lung health
Question: Will your party support renewed funding of $20 million over three years to carry out Canada’s first national action plan on lung health?
Bloc Québécois
Past position: Concerned about health and social issues, but believe health is strictly a provincial responsibility. For this reason not supportive of National Lung Health Framework.
Conservatives
Past actions: Conservative government supported development of National Lung Health with $10 million over three years starting in 2008-09.
Liberals
Past position: No specific commitment, but said “open to discussions and consultations with the Lung Association and other relevant stakeholders concerning the National Lung Health Framework.”
Green Party
Past position: Supports the National Lung Health Framework and would commit to integrate within a comprehensive national health promotion strategy.
New Democratic Party
Recent response: “New Democrats support the National Lung Health Framework and will work with the Canadian Lung Association and other stakeholders to renew the funding of the Framework when it expires in 2012.”
2. Action to clean up the air we breathe
Question: Will your party endorse strong action on air quality, including support for the new Air Quality Management System and the Air Quality Heath Index?
Bloc Québécois
Past position: Support urgent action on climate change and air pollution.
Conservatives
Past actions: Conservative government actively supported development of the new Air Quality Management System and the Air Quality Health Index.
Liberals
Past position/actions: Supported decision of Canada’s Environment Ministers in October 2010 to proceed with new Air Quality Management System; want to see tough fines for industries that fail to comply. Support development of AQHI.
Green Party
Past position: Indicated party is “passionately committed to comprehensive and effective legislation that will take action to clean up the air we breathe.”
New Democratic Party
Recent response: “New Democrats will provide federal leadership in implementing the CAMS air quality strategy through updated federal regulations for major emitters to reduce levels of pollutants, particulates, and toxins.”
3. Increased funding for lung health research
Question: Will your party support increased funding for respiratory health research over 5 years to match the heavy burden of lung disease?
Bloc Québécois
Past position: View research as critical; support additional federal investments in basic research.
Conservatives
Past actions: Supported additional investments in research in past two federal budgets. Supported additional funding for lung health research.
Liberals
Past position: Support additional investments in respiratory health research to help fight lung disease.
Green Party
Past position: Committed to increasing funding for health research, including research into health promotion and disease prevention.
New Democratic Party
Recent response: “Former governments have cut back on investments in health research in scientific communities. New Democrats will work with stakeholders, like the Canadian Lung Association to work towards reinvesting in health research.”
4. Action to control tobacco products and reduce smoking
Question: Will your party support a five-year renewal of the Federal Tobacco Control Strategy in 2012, maintaining current funding for associated prevention and cessation programs and strong action on contraband tobacco products?
Bloc Québécois
Recent response: Supports a wide range of strong measures to fight the production and distribution of contraband tobacco products; also measures to prevent smoking. No position stated on renewal of Federal Tobacco Control Strategy.
Conservatives
Past actions: Introduced legislation restricting flavoured tobacco products; brought in new warning labels on cigarettes; supported crackdown on contraband cigarettes; recently extended Federal Tobacco Control Strategy for one more year.
Liberals
Recent response: Support renewal of Federal Tobacco Control Strategy in 2012 for five years; recently pressed for stronger warning labels on tobacco products.
Green Party
Past position: Support action on tobacco control, programs for smoking cessation.
New Democratic Party
Recent response: “The NDP has worked consistently towards tobacco cessation and fully supports the Federal Tobacco Control Strategy and will renew its mandate in 2012.”
For further information on the election platforms of the parties, please follow the links for their websites below:
Conservative platform: http://www.conservative.ca/policy/platform_2011/
Liberal Party platform: http://www.liberal.ca/platform/
NDP platform: http://www.ndp.ca/platform
Bloc Québecois platform: http://www.blocquebecois.org/accueil.aspx
Green Party platform: http://greenparty.ca/platform2011
As you find out more about the party positions in this election, please consider carefully key lung health issues and ...
Vote for action on lung health!
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