The NDP Plan for Newfoundland & Labrador
5 Pledges for the First Year of a New Democrat Administration
New Democrats, like you, see many things that should be different in our province. We need real change to make things fair for everyone.
We recognize, though, that not everything can happen overnight. It is important to use our resources responsibly. New Democrats see how much better life in our province can be, but we recognize that we must maintain a balanced budget.
Our pledges are measures that can all be made to happen within a year of the election. Some do not involve costs; for the others, we have consulted with economists and other experts and identified where the money will come from (see section 3 of this document).
A Message from Lorraine Michael
This election is a historic one for this province. In May of this year, Newfoundlanders and Labradorians voted NDP in record numbers.
It is a pivotal time in the history of our province. More than ever before, we have the opportunity to lay a solid and substantial base for our future. But we have to do it right. We have to dare to be innovative in our thinking, to do things just a little differently, if we want to ensure that our future prosperity is shared by every Newfoundlander and Labradorian.
The New Democratic Party is about – has always been about – people. The people who have built this province, who have contributed so much towards making it the incredible place it is – the people like you, your family, your neighbours and friends who have so often felt abandoned and ignored by governments.
People who work hard, play by the rules, and are struggling to take care of their families need elected representatives who will stand up for them. Our goals and our policies reflect the beliefs and needs of ordinary Newfoundlanders and Labradorians. We have never lost touch with what is important to you and your family.
Our vision for this province is one of long-lasting prosperity for the people who live here. This prosperity will come from fiscally responsible planning, a combination of simple immediate steps and carefullyconsidered long term goals. We know that prosperity is more than corporate bottom lines and shareholder profits: for our society to work as it should, it must be fair to all of us.
NDP ideas are good ideas. Our ideas work for people, for businesses, and for governments. Even the current government acknowledges this – most recently, when it brought in the ban on the cosmetic use of pesticides, for which the NDP had been calling for several years. Just a few months ago, the same government adopted another NDP policy and removed the provincial portion of the HST from home heating fuels.
Our ideas are consistent ones. We are the party speaking out for you on home care, offshore safety, and housing all the time – not just at voting time.
It's time to bring change to the House of Assembly. Together, we can make government work for all of us.
Pledge 1: Meeting the Health Needs of People
Nothing is more important to you than your health – unless it is the health of those you love.
It's time for a health care system that works for everybody. New Democrats see a province where everyone has reasonable, timely access to professionals, equipment, and treatment. While there are some things that can – and must – be done immediately, we know that the most important step is to take a long, rational look at our entire system, to see how everything fits together, and how our precious health care resources can best be used.
In the first year after the election, an NDP government would:
- Set steps in motion for a comprehensive, independent review of the health care system.
- Plan a universal, publicly-funded and administered homecare and long-term care program.
- Provide home support workers with higher wage increases and a training grant.
- Expand the NL Prescription Drug Program by 10% to increase eligibility and reduce co-pays.
- Cover the cost of glucose test strips.
- Speed up the process of establishing Enhanced 911 province-wide.
Pledge 2: Making Life More Affordable Now
Most people expect to pay their own way in life. Nobody expects a free ride. But what we pay should be fair.
It's time for a province where people who earn less and have less are not unfairly burdened by the basic expenses of living. Life's necessities must be affordable.
In the first year after the election, an NDP government would:
- Reduce drivers’ licence fees by one-third.
- Begin phase-in of a needs-based grant program to replace provincial student loans.
- Eliminate the “tax on tax” on gasoline and diesel.
- Increase the basic income tax exemption from $7,989 to $9,000.
- Reduce small business taxes by 25%.
- Raise income support rates by 5%.
- Provide funding to reduce the ambulance fee for residents from $115 to $50.
Pledge 3: Supporting Our Seniors
A person who has worked hard to contribute to life in this province should be assured of basic needs in retirement.
It's time for us to give our senior citizens and retirees the respect they deserve. New Democrats envision a society where the people who have built our province live safely, knowing they can afford food, housing, health care costs and other necessities.
In the first year after the election, an NDP government would:
- Increase home care budgets to immediately hire 100 more workers to meet the most urgent needs.
- Give seniors living in their own homes $250 per household annually to help with snow clearing.
- Restore funds to the NL Seniors’ Resource Centre by $100,000 for programs.
- Provide one free college or university course annually to residents 60 years and older.
Pledge 4: Giving Our Children an Early Start
We are justifiably proud of our education system. Our dedicated teachers and other employees work with parents and school boards to give our children the best possible start.
It's time to take the realities of 21st century family life into account. Parents and guardians should be able to work with the assurance that children are enjoying themselves safely. We envision a province where all children – regardless of their family's income – have access to pre-school programs that prepare them for the school system.
In the first year after the election, an NDP government would:
- Begin to introduce full-day kindergarten for five-year-olds with an action plan to design and implement pilot projects across the province.
- Plan for a universal, publicly-funded and administered early learning and child care program, including all-day care at school sites.
- Improve recruitment and retention of early childhood educators with an annual wage increase.
Pledge 5: Getting A Fair Deal for Working People
When you work hard to do the best you can for your family, you deserve a government that treats you with respect. Working people need basic protections.
It's time to recognize the contributions of workers. It's time to keep them as safe as we can, and to give them the freedom to tell the public when something in their workplace is a threat to public safety.
In the first year after the election, an NDP government would:
- Legislate protection for whistleblowers.
- Develop a multi-year plan for regular increases to the minimum wage.
- Enact anti-scab legislation.
- Pressure Ottawa for an independent offshore safety board.
- Advocate with other provinces to strengthen our public Canada Pension Plan.
- Amend the Workplace Health, Safety and Compensation Act and Regulations to include occupational diseases of firefighters.
- Allow workers exposed to asbestos to be compensated for all asbestos-related cancers that develop.
- Adopt the recommendations of the Voisey’s Bay Industrial Inquiry Commission.