Justin Trudeau’s Vision for Canada
On Social Issues
1. Legalize marijuana.
Too many people have criminal histories because of arrests for marijuana usage, says Trudeau. He says the justice system is overwhelmed, so he will decriminalize the use of the drug.
2. Accept more refugees.
Although Canada already accepts more immigrants per capita than any other nation in the world, Trudeau says it should do more. He said he will accept 25,000 more Syrian migrants immediately and find $250 million annually to care for them.
3. Treat descendants of indigenous peoples as a nation equal to Canada.
Trudeau has promised them an additional $2.6 billion and an investigation into how they have been treated in the past by the police.
On Geopolitics
1. Temper Canada’s support for Israel.
For the past 10 years, Canada has been a staunch ally of Israel. Trudeau says he will carry on in this tradition, although he says he will take a more balanced approach and give more weight to Palestinians’ concerns.
2. Stop combat with the Islamic State.
Trudeau has said Canada will end its bombing of Islamic State terrorists in Iraq. Instead, he says he will send more trainers to help Iraqis.
3. Reengage with Iran.
The new prime minister says he will seek to reopen an embassy in Iran and invite Iran to do the same in Canada.
4. Shrink the military.
Trudeau has pledged to cut military spending; for instance, canceling Canada’s plan to purchase the F-35 fighter.
On the Economy
1. Borrow money.
Trudeau was the only candidate who said that he would not balance the budget. He says he will run $10 billion deficits until 2019 or 2020 when he will then balance the budget, using borrowed money to create infrastructure jobs, invest in green energy, and stimulate the economy.
2. Increase taxes on the wealthy.
To help pay for his ambitious projects, Trudeau says he will raise taxes on anyone earning $200,000 or more per year, and cut taxes for those earning between $45,000 and $90,000.
3. Increase taxes on businesses.
In one preelection speech, he strongly implied that many small business owners are tax cheats and that business leaders needed to accept tax increases now or be subjected to even bigger tax increases later.
4. Adopt the United Nations mandate on climate change.
Trudeau has promised to enforce the UN position adopted at the Paris summit in November, which will probably mean curbs on Canada’s oil and gas sector and industries that emit carbon dioxide.
Canada looks set to follow in the footsteps of its southern neighbor. For more on what this means for Canada, request America Under Attack.