TORONTO -- Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau and his party have won a minority government on a platform of promises that included billions of dollars in new spending to rebuild the country from the COVID-19 pandemic.
, released on Sept. 1, is based on major promises from six key issues: the pandemic, climate change, housing, health care, the economy and reconciliation.
Here are some of the big promises that Canadians can expect from a third Liberal term:
PANDEMIC
The Liberals have pledged $9 billion to train and offer salary bumps for thousands of new personal support workers. The party also promised 10 days of paid sick leave for federal workers, funding for improved ventilation in schools and legal protection for businesses that decide to require vaccinations.
The Liberals also promised $100 million to study the long-term health impacts of COVID-19, including the study of COVID-19 “long haulers” and its impact on different demographics.The party is also pledging $1 billion for provincial vaccine passports, which nearly each province has now adoptedin some form.
HOUSING
To address Canada’s housing crisis, the Liberals have promised to build, preserve or repair 1.4 million homes over the next four years and are promising $2.7 billion in increased funding for the National Housing Co-investment fund.
To help Canadians afford a new home, the Liberals would ban blind bidding and would provide $1 billion in loans and grants to help facilitate a home purchase.
HEALTH CARE
The Liberals have promised to ensure that all Canadians have access to a family doctor and can afford prescription medication. The party would also provide $3 billion over five years to support the application of higher standards for long-term care homes.
When it comes to mental health, the Liberals have promised $150 million for mental health and PTSD projects targeting those impacted by COVID-19 and $4.5 billion over five years for a Canada Mental Health Transfer. The party would also implement a three-digit mental health crisis hotline.
ECONOMY
The Liberals have promised to restore one million jobs lost during the pandemic through several employment and business benefits designed to bring people back to work.
The party plans to extend most key COVID-19 benefits into the fall of 2021, including subsidies for businesses and benefits for those out of work due to the pandemic.
RECONCILIATON
The Liberals have previously promised $18 billion over 5 years to improve quality of life and create new opportunities for people in Indigenous communities.
The party has also promised to address the root causes of missing and murdered Indigenous women, including access to housing, poverty and the loss of Indigenous culture.
The party has also promised continued action on access to clean drinking water for Indigenous communities.
CLIMATE CHANGE
Trudeau and the Liberals have promised to bring national greenhouse gas emissions between 40 and 45 per cent below 2005 levels before the end of the decade and have committed to making Canada a net-zero country by 2050.
The party has also promised to continue raising its carbon pricing and is expecting the fossil fuel industry to reduce emissions.
The Liberals are also promising $1.5 billion in a rebate program for electric vehicles.