What would you like to ask the Liberal Party of Canada leadership candidates?

Question

We'll be asking the Liberal candidates the top two questions as rated by you as part of our coverage of the Liberal convention in Montreal next week. Post a question you would like us to ask or rate the questions posted by other members of the Answers community. Keep in mind that only serious questions will be chosen, so please treat this accordingly.

Answer 1

At the conclusion of the Gomery Inquiry, Justice Gomery highlighted the culture of entitlement that existed in the Liberal Party.

Does this culture of entitlement still exist?

If not, what exactly has the Liberal Party done to address this problem within their party, to ensure that taxpayers are not swindled in the future?

Answer 2

To the Liberal Party,
I want Canada Back is my answer. I was born in Canada, in the province of Quebec. I have seen many changes in our country. Good and bad politicians and worsening leaderships. I feel that I am watching a soap with a catch though. Real people are getting hurt by certain policies being passed and that is not right. I am sick and tired and I mean tired of our U.S. so call friends telling us what and what not to do. And that is only the tip of the iceberg. What is signed in closed meetings? Finally, I want you Liberal Party to make a promise and keep that promise that you will bring back our troops from this insane war in Iraq, no drilling or exploring the oil sands up north and give back the surplus to the people of Canada. Thank you and good day.

Answer 3

When will the Liberal party ensure that Canada truly leads on environmental issues and doesn't just blurt out hard retoric and actually degress on carbon gas emessions. We are quickly becoming a global joke when it comes to the Kyoto protocol and Global Warming. Will the Liberal goverment present a plan that will reward provinces such as Manitoba, which is getting international acclaim for their evenronmental efforts, and tax provinces like Alberta which in their goal of almighty dollar uses a ridiculous amount of natural resources, pollutes our environment and depletes the rivers in doing so. This can be done simultaneously with equalization payment or even be implemented in the equalization. Does this not make sense?

Answer 4

This is to all the leadership candidates;

1. I live in Western Canada. I am a father of 2 young children and am the only bread winner supporting my family. As we try to make ends meet, we find that there is a large number of condos being built and less and less affordable housing. We do not seek handouts but rather a hand up, such as assistance in helping people get ahead, Cheaper rent (we pay 800 for an apartment in a run down building). What are your plans to combat this problem?? I have seen many news reports that says in BC there are more children living in poverty because of the fact that there is a lack of affordable housing, and too low of a minimum wage/too high of a cost of living.

2. Children and Education. Enough said. I have noticed that there are many schools that are closing due to lack of funding. What are your plans on edcuation??

3. I work as an apprentice commercial vehicle mechanic and supporting my family and attending schooling is a huge financial burden. Is there any plans on supporting future trades workers such as encouraging employers to cover costs of travel and lodging while attending training courses??

4. Is there going to be a bigger focus on Western provinces?? Each year it seems as though the Western provinces are not focused on as much as Ontairo. ALL provinces have much to offer this great country and I belive the West should have just as much of a voice as the East.

Thank you very much for your time and best of luck to all candidates.

Answer 5

R T
In Ontario the minute the swearing in took place the new mp reversed a signed guaranty about hydro prices which was a large plank for his campaign , How do I know this won't happen again? I didn't hear much of a ruckus from your party over this when it happened . And Why can a "representative" not vote for his constituants without being put into the back row never to be heard again? Why don't you as a representative of the people try to do this , instead of treating the Canadian people like children . A lot of us are older and smarter than our reps.

Answer 6

1st Question: This is addressed to Bob Rae: As leader of the provincial New Democratic Party you raised tuition fees, cut funding to colleges and universities and eroded the provincial education system in Ontario. Further cuts by Mike Harris and Ernie Eves did not help matters. You recently led a discussion on education when the Provincial Liberals were deciding on wether or not to raise tuition and scrap a tuition fee freeze, a move that you supported.

As you know the provinical Liberals have recently decided to eliminate the tuition fee freeze and increase tuition by up to 20 percent in the next 4 years. This will amount to approximate debtloads of over $40,000 for a 4 year degree. Specialized programs like Law and Medecine are now costing students almost $20,000 a year, and are priced out of the range for most students.

If you are elected as leader of the Federal Liberals, what will you do to ensure that all Canadians have access to affordable post-secondary education?

2nd Question: Today, November 27th 2006 the Canadian soldiers deathtoll in Afghanistan stands at 44. This is a war that is costing Canada approximately $1 billion a year to fight, is costing Canadian soldiers lives, and is a war that is widely unsupported by both the Canadian and Afgani populations. With casualties and costs climbing, what is your exit strategy to support our troops and bring them home to their families, and not home to a burial service?

Answer 7

To all candidates: As leader of the Liberal party what would you plan to do about the economy in Canada to sustain it and further grow it instead of letting it stagnate as reported by an independent report in the November 27th issue of McLean's? and Does the Liberal party plan to do something drastic to affect climate change in Canada weather it be Billions of dollars now so as not to cost Trillions of Dollars in the future? Do not be afraid to let the answer of the second be a part of an answer to the first.

Answer 8

Liberal Party of Canada,
Applause for the Continuous Improvement Management System, I am a true believer in accountability and time/resource management HOWEVER, how can you justify the $17M cutback to Literacy in this country at a time when Workforce and Workplace Initiatives are just being implemented. According to the 2005 Adult Education Review 42% of Canadian are lacking the Literacy and Basic Skills for everyday living - how then are Literacy Practitioners to support their Programs and deliver the quality academics and skills requirements for these individuals to obtain and sustain in the workforce? We are already stressed in our Programs and Networks; Ontario has not had an increase in LBS Programs in 7-years while fixed and operational costs have skyrocketed. Go back to the table and re-think this please?
Very Sincerely,

Answer 9

As a Western Canadian, I feel that western Canadians are not equal those who live those in other regions of the country. Westerners could feel punished because of the energy we produce through a carbon tax being proposed by some in the Liberal Party to appear to be doing something about climate change. Farmers in this part of the country lose money year in and year out through government control of grain marketing just to keep the cost of food artificially low in the rest of the country. My question is: Is What changes Liberal Party prepared to make to help mend growing western alienation?

Answer 10

This is an open question to all Candidates In three parts.

With the recent proposal before Parliament defining The people of Quebec as a Nation within Canada, based on cultural and linguistic differences, do you not agree that this in an obtuse decision to appease the Bloc Quebecois?

Secondly, how are the immigrants who aside from the Quebecois contributed to the foundation of Canada who celebrate their culture any less of a nation within Canada?

Finally, is not the definition of Canada as a Nation the many cultures brought together to truly create a heterogeneous society with no one culture dominate that allows a broad range of ideas to thrive?

Answer 11

Much has been discussed during the last few elections and this leadership debate regarding early childhood learning (e.g. daycare) and life long learning (i.e. post secondary education). However, I have yet to hear from any of the candidates as to what they plan to do for families and kids that fall into the "in between" category (K to 12). What would you do as Liberal Party Leader and potential Prime Minister to ensure that once that base is set for primary and secondary education, they actually get the education they need so that they will be able to capitalize on items like scholarships etc at the post secondary level?