Smart Economy

Everyone wants a strong economy with good, decent jobs and fiscal responsibility on the part of government. We are all concerned even though Canada came through the last recession well. Some say we are still not out of the recession and we only have to look at the global economy to know that it is still very shaky. Recovery is very much on people's minds and there is rising concern with historically high debt and high deficits. We are at a crossroads, here in Canada and around the world. Going backwards and propping up the old economy is not the way to go but the way forward is towards a new, smarter, sustainable economy. Other countries are doing it, with government support through the right tax breaks and policies. Canada, on the other hand, is the only country in the developing world that CUT stimulus spending on renewable energy.

A smart sustainable economy is based on supporting renewable energy sector growth. This makes sense. Oil and gas will only increase in price. Renewable energy is far more secure. This means being smarter about federal tax policies. We don't need to support the oil and gas industry with tax breaks and subsidies -- they already are good at making money. It would save us more than $1 billion dollars a year that we could use to develop renewable energy. Europe, the US and even China are doing this. Canada needs to get in the game or we'll be left buying their technologies instead of selling our own.

Some people think the Green Party is only focused on protecting our environment. Did you know that the Green Party of Canada has been in the lead pushing for lower taxes on small businesses, on personal income and on green enterprise? Did you know that elected Greens in other countries have implemented policies that have created tens of thousands of new jobs in renewable energy and other industries?

As the Green MP for Vancouver Centre, I will work to make Vancouver Centre's economy smarter, sustainable and stronger.

I will work towards greater fiscal responsibility with a focus on paying down the debt and getting rid of our structural deficit. We simply cannot saddle our children with that kind of burden in the future.

I will work to advocate a smarter tax system where we tax things we don't want more of like carbon emissions or pollution. And reduce taxes on the things we want more like income.

I will work towards smart economic stimulus and advocate cuts to wasteful spending. This means, I will work to redirect subsidies of over $1 Billion going to the oil and gas industry and move them to develop the renewable energy sector. This is a new industry sector that needs the support of subsidies and infrastructure to help it become a strong, viable energy and economic option.

I will work to support Vancouver Centre and the city as a whole to become a global hub for new technology and innovation. With the right tax advantages and government programs in place, we can facilitate more new economic growth in Vancouver.

I will work to have more invested in our youth. They are currently the highest unemployed and under-employed people in society. As a green MP, I would work to help create youth training and job creation programs once they leave school. Our Green Party platform calls for investing $1Billion per year in a municipal youth jobs program.

I will work to re-establish traditional levels of federal government support for arts, culture and heritage sector which is key to Vancouver's tourism and entertainment economy.

Getting a smart, sustainable economy will take investing in education and training, as well as English language training and better foreign credential certification processes so that new Canadians can participate fully in our economy.

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