2008 Canadian election – Global News

Recent Stories

See all news

10-06-2008

Promise Tracker: A list of spending promises made by the parties during the 2008 federal election

Canwest News Service

Promises, promises…

The party leaders are making several campaign promises every day during this election.

Having trouble keeping track of who said what?

Global News' feature, Promise Tracker, does the work for you.

Promise Tracker is a complete listing of every campaign promise made by all five parties.

The list is updated daily.

Conservatives

This week:

$20 million over four years: to induce Canadian doctors and nurses to return home to practice.
$200 million over four years: for auto sector.
$200 million over four years: for aerospace sector.
$345 million over four years: the cost to eliminate tariffs on importing machinery for the manufacturing sector.
$100 million annually: changes to the Universal Child Care Benefit.

Week four:

$300 million over four years: for regional economic development.
$60 million annually: bonuses to apprentices who finish their training.
$60 million over three years: job retraining for older workers.
$150 million annually: children's arts tax credit.
$150 million over four years: Changes to education savings programs to allow lower income families to participate.

Week three:

$24 million one-time funding: to expand cruise ship tourism along the St. Lawrence River.
$5 million annually: more consumer inspectors for gas pumps and heating meters.
$113 million over five years: to enforce environmental laws.
$10 million annually beginning next spring: increase the funding to the Youth Gang Prevention Fund.

Week two:

$200 million annually: the cost to fund a tax credit for first-time homebuyers.
$147 million annually: the cost to allow the self-employed into the EI benefits program so they can claim maternity and paternity benefits.
$80 million annually: the cost to assist families with disabled relatives.
$25 million over five years: the cost to increase funding to TV5, a Quebec-based international french language television network.

Week one:

$420 million annually: the cost to fund tax relief for seniors.
$600 million annually: the cost to cut the excise tax on diesel and aviation fuel to two cents a litre from four.
$50 million annually: the cost to restore the veterans' allowance for veterans from Commonwealth countries or Second World War allies who have live in Canada at least 10 years.
$220 million over four years: the cost to reduce the tax burden on small business.

Liberals

Week three:

$6 million annually: restore funding to the National Optics Institute, based in Quebec.
$75 million over four years: to help fund security measures for religious and cultural groups.
$620 million over four years: social housing
$500 million over four years: increase foreign aid.
$60 million over four years: for veterans suffering from post traumatic stress disorder.
$2.1 billion over four years: to implement the Kelowna Accord agreement with Aboriginal Peoples

Week two:

$350 over four years: funding for arts and culture.
$80 million over four years: safer communities.
$45 million over four years: for a gun violence and gang prevention fund.
$70 billion over 10 years: the cost of infrastructure and transit programs.
$ 482 million annually: the cost for a Guaranteed Family Supplement (part of the Green Shift)
$1.25 billion annually: the cost to create 165,000 child-care spaces.
$1.2 billion of new money over four years: cost for reform of post secondary education including changes to student loans and other student aid, and money for research and development.
$420 million: the cost to increase the number of doctors and nurses by spending more on training new professionals and assisting foreign trained health professionals earn Canadian credentials.
$900 million over four years: the cost for a program to help people pay for medications for catastrophic illnesses.
$250 million over four years: the cost of new money to combat the pine beetle infestation in British Columbia.
$250 million over four years: the cost for a green fisheries and transportation fund and to retire some fishing licences.
$70 million over four years: the cost to retire some fishing licences.
$100 million over four years: investment in small craft harbours.
$1.2 billion over four years: package for agriculture and farmers.

Week one:

$6 million annually: the cost to reinstate the court challenges program, essentially cancelled in September 2006.
$2.878 billion: the cost to create a universal child tax benefit worth $350 per child per year in addition to existing benefits for children; would take four years to implement.
$50 million over four years: the cost to increase the number of food inspectors, conduct a food safety review and hold a public inquiry on the August tainted meat recall.
$575 million over four years: the cost for programs to help consumers retrofit their homes and make low-income housing more environmentally friendly.
$800 million over four years: the cost to improve the immigration system, language training and job mentoring for new immigrants.

New Democratic Party

This week:

$4.4 billion annually by 2012: new child benefit which is open to children until age 18.
$120 million beginning next year: child nutrition program.
$1 billion annually : support for First Nations.
$100 million annually: Arctic sovereignty and infrastructure.

Week three:

$1 billion in the first year, 2011: money to offset the cost of prescription drugs.
$125 million annually: arts and culture funding.$4.4 billion annually by 2012: new child benefit which is open to children until age 18.
$120 million beginning next year: child nutrition program.
$1 billion annually : support for First Nations.
$100 million annually: Arctic sovereignty and infrastructure.

Week two:

$175 million annually: for crime prevention.
$2.5 billion over four years: the cost of a home care plan for seniors.
$1.45 billion annually: the cost to fund 150,000 child-care spaces.
$100 million annually: to expand the training and apprentice tax credit.
$120 million annually: the cost to fund women's organizations.
$200 million annually: the cost to hire more family doctors and nurses.

Week one:

$8.2 billion over four years: the cost to create green collar jobs, invest in low emission vehicles, a made-in-Canada procurement policy, create a jobs commissioner to investigate shutdowns, and create 40,000 jobs in the automotive sector.
$1 billion annually: the cost of an investment in public transportation. This includes $400 million per year in gas tax money.
$2.89 billion over four years: the cost of an energy efficiency retrofit program for residential and commercial buildings.

Green Party

Week two:

$19.1 billion next year: the overall cost to implement the full platform.
$6.2 billion next year: the cost to buy carbon credits to meet Canada's Kyoto Accord commitments.
$5.2 billion next year: the cost of carbon tax rebates for taxpayers.
$16.2 billion next year: the cost of a carbon tax holiday for business.
$5 billion next year: the cost for income splitting for all adults.

Week one:

$ 8.6 billion over three years: to help relieve student debt and increase funding to the provinces for post-secondary education.

Posted by: jgreen

del.icio.us digg it! facebook

Warren Popham says:

There is no question who is buying votes and it is not the Conservatives. Perhaps the media could focus a little more on the real "Governing Party" in this election and back off highlighting the Liberals and the NDP. You only lead us into electing an incapable government.

Don says:

I'm beginning to wonder if this is a pro-Conservative tally of costs and whether or not all costs have been reflected properly. In another Global News article, the following appeared.
--------------------------------------------

Layton also pledged that a New Democrat government would roll back $50 billion in corporate tax cuts introduced by Prime Minister Stephen Harper to pay for the NDP promises. "It's simply a question of priorities," said Layton.

"Mr. Harper has made his decision. Remember he has made the biggest spending announcement of this campaign. It was a $50-billion item, and it was a corporate tax cut to big profitable companies with no strings attached, no conditions. Companies could even take the tax cut and then close the plant and throw the workers out onto the street."

-----------------------------------

Why isn't this $50 billion in the Conservative tally?

Sam says:

It looks like the Liberals are proposing $103 Billion dollars in new spending...and they accuse the Tories of being bad economic managers? These numbers make it look like Bob "deficit/recession" Rae is at the helm of these tax-n'spend Liberals. God help us.

Jay D. says:

Instead of promises, I see them no differently than trying to buy votes, especially since most politicians never honor their promises. One thing I can say, if anybody bothered to think back, the only one I remember fulfilling any promises based on their mandate, was and still is the conservatives. Since everybody knows that the Liberals do not, with Ontario being one example, I can't believe that anybody would entertain having a Liberal Government again, especially Federally. Oh how short peoples memories are, when it comes to getting money, even though chances are they won't, in the end. Besides, how can they even think of a deficit in this uncertain time. ALSO NOTE, THE LIBERALS ARE THE ONES WHO ALWAYS PROMISE MORE THAN THE OTHERS, AND THEN USE THE ONES THAT GETS VOTED OUT AS THEIR SCAPEGOAT WHEN THEY CANNOT OR DO NOT FULFILL THEIR PROMISES. I HOPE CANADA GETS OVER ITS BOUT OF AMNESIA.
I hop;e

Dean D. says:

Im sorry but so far each comment above is vote this way or that. No one has commented on the amounts or the content for each party nor the validity of the promises made. Are you trying to purchase our vote with your pretty words and CAP LETTERS. We are Canadians, each of us and we should read and try to understand what each party is trying to do for/to us. Then vote for the right party. Let your conscience be your guide. Do not be swayed by false promises nor false profits.

PK says:

I guess the liberals and the greens have the same campaign strategists. Its a sad day when the NDP wants to wants to spend less than one-quarter the total amount of money the liberals do.

50 plus says:

To be truly effective your information should be presented in a spreadsheet with how much funding is promised, what the funding addresses and which party is promising it. Then update it as new promises are announced.

The only promise I care about is responsible government. The one who should be elected is the one who acknowledges that they are representing the people and will be responsible when spending our tax dollars to provide Canadians with the necessities of life in a free and democratic society.

#1 - security - not just overseas - on our own streets
#2 - healthcare - for everyone
#3 - education to post graduate - as in Europe - educate our own don't import talent
#4 - shelter - affordable housing for every Canadian
#5 - environmental sustainability - we have already gone too far in our urban centers - disperse the population and save the earth for our grandchildren

Whoever can provide these basic necessities and understand that they are accountable to me for every dollar of mine that they spend and are dependent on me for their paycheck is the one who will get my vote.

The last point is that the candidates we have to choose from should represent the entire country not just one province.

E.A.S. says:

Along with responsibility and accountability of our government: to express this for itself through also promoting Social Consciousness of all Canadians.
The GOOD gets done by those doing the GOOD.
The knowledge comes from those doing the job, in every home, community and business.
Leadership to implement the wisdom of Canadians, to act.

Volunteer Tax Credits. 1 hour = 25.00. Donated by high income to low income, through community programs referred by Government social programs or non profit organizations.

The third power to engage responsibility: Political ethics and corporate ethics,
Social Consciousness: a wheel within a wheel, of our already existing system allowing for expansion and co- creation of our Countries Heroic Probability

We can be Heroes just for one day. Those, whom are able to act have a responsibility to act.

Reward Actions.
Strong Healthy Leadership will engage Canadians,to move together in understanding Compassionate ways.The Love we send from Compassion comes to understand is then to Love and even in the Darkest hour You are not alone.
I am so Grateful to be A Canadian. Families First!

Bias & Media says:

It is hard to process a balanced reading of the issues with political ads flashing on my screen about how bad Stephen Harper is.
Perhaps Global needs to consider how their advertising is an editorial choice to shape the perspectives of their viewers.

Wardak says:

If these Promises are written on stone it is better but if on ice...!

Mike.S. says:

Everybody talk about crime prevention programs and punishment.Nice and dandy.Does any of the party leaders think about Capital punishment for those which really deserves

Inez says:

It looks like the only party that is looking after the taxpayers money is the Conservatives. Who is going to pay for all the Liberal and NDP promises? Go figure!

Tallying Error says:

You seem to have duplicated certain entries in your tally of expenditures. Please note the double listing of "retire some fishing licenses" in Week 2: Liberals.

For this to be an accurate guide as to what has been said, we cannot assume that you have somehow managed to tally every statement in every press release from every party without introducing a personal bias without accurate references. A much more accurate representation would be to list all the press releases and statements in order of date/ time/ location and summarize the promises therein.

Please be more diligent with your research before posting it.

Ambreen says:

I don't think this information is accurate. The greens have made more promises than what you have listed. There is also very little video on the NDP & Greens. How are voters supposed to be informed on the Green platform when the public media doesn't talk much about them?

As others have suggested, a spreadsheet or chart would be easier to compare each parties promises. Also why not mix the orders in which you list the party names?

Conservatives suck says:

People are dishing out so much cash chill out seniors don't need shit they have enough money as it is

Michelle says:

What I would like to see is a spreadsheet showing what each party's stance (beliefs about the issue and actual plans) is on various issues: healthcare, education, affordable housing, childcare, security, crime, environment, etc. I was out of the country for several years and have only recently returned. Despite watching as much news and reading as much online as I can, I still have no idea what the parties actually believe/would do on any of these issues. I've seen/heard soundbites and promises for various things, but don't have a clue as to what their platforms actually are. Who thinks healthcare is a priorty? Who puts the environment first, etc. Unfortunately I will be travelling and will miss the debate (if that would actually give us a clue anyhow). At this point I don't feel I have anywhere near enough information to make an informed decision.

What The??? says:

Hmmmmm by my addition it is
Conservative - 2.21 Billion/Yr
Lib - 5.52 Billion/Yr
NDP 13.09 Billion/Yr
Green 50 Billion/yr

Name: Comment:

Code of Conduct

Thank you for visiting our site. Here are some guidelines for posting comments to our blogs and articles. Should you have any questions, please contact us.

You may not post anything that:

Infringes or violates any copyright, trademark, service mark, patent, trade secret, confidentiality rights or other rights of any third party;
Is abusive, harmful, tortuous, or is racially, ethnically or otherwise objectionable;
Is libelous, defamatory or invades any privacy or publicity rights of any third party;
Contains or promotes criminal activity;

Some things to keep in mind when posting:

Respect: respect the guidelines and Terms of Use for the site’s usage. Respect Global News, its employees, and fellow community members.
Personal attacks and flames will not be tolerated. Constructive criticisms are acceptable; however, general attacks on a person will not be tolerated.
Commercial postings/solicitations are not allowed. Commercial content as a direct or indirect attempt to solicit customers through a post will be removed.
If someone has posted copyrighted material or otherwise illegal material, please notify Global News so that it may be removed.

We moderate all comments, blogs and forums and reserve the right to pull any inappropriate submissions from the site at our discretion.

We advise that you review the site’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and by visiting the site and using its services you are agreeing to the sites User Agreements and Privacy Policy.