27 Liberal Promises Kept

November 4, 2016

The House of Commons returns today, and the Liberal team is ready to continue working hard to make real change for middle class Canadians. Here are our 27 favourite promises that Justin Trudeau and the Liberals have made a reality so far.

Appointed a gender-balanced cabinet

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau took a big step toward gender parity when he historically unveiled Canada’s first ever gender balanced cabinet.

http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/canada-trudeau-liberal-government-cabinet-1.3304590

New Canada Child Benefit

The Canada Child Benefit gives more money to 9 out of 10 Canadians families, and lifts almost 300,000 children out of poverty.

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/globe-investor/personal-finance/household-finances/new-canada-child-benefit-is-a-win-for-most-families/article31017291/

Lowered taxes for middle class

The middle class tax cut helps to strengthen the middle class, benefiting about 9 million Canadians each year. When middle class Canadians have more money in their pockets to save, invest, and grow the economy, we all benefit.

http://www.ctvnews.ca/politics/liberals-middle-class-income-tax-cut-passes-house-vote-1.2693674

Increased taxes for the wealthiest 1%

To help pay for the middle class tax cut, we asked the wealthiest one per cent of Canadians to contribute a little more. Taken together, these changes give middle class Canadians a tax break by making taxes fairer.

http://www.ctvnews.ca/politics/liberals-middle-class-income-tax-cut-passes-house-vote-1.2693674

Pan-Canadian plan for pricing carbon pollution

Pricing carbon pollution is a crucial step toward reducing emissions, spurring innovation, and creating well-paying jobs, while protecting our air and water for our children and grandchildren.

http://news.gc.ca/web/article-en.do?nid=1132149

Unmuzzled government scientists

By unmuzzling government scientists and allowing them to share their expertise, the Liberal government has begun to restore science’s important role in national policy.

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/british-columbia/federal-scientists-eager-to-share-their-research-now-that-muzzles-are-off/article27171269/

Reinstated the long-form census

Canada’s long-form census makes it possible to include evidence-based decision making and reliable data in national policy creation. With a 98.4% response rate, Stats Canada experienced its “best census ever.”

http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/best-census-ever-stats-can-1.3739857

Revitalized federal ocean science programs

The hiring of 135 new aquatic scientists and new research partnerships is an important part of protecting Canada’s oceans, waterways, and fisheries.

http://www.ctvnews.ca/sci-tech/a-great-day-for-ocean-science-government-to-hire-135-new-aquatic-scientists-1.2898447

Expansion and Protection of Rouge National Park

The Liberal government continues to put Canada’s environment first by ensuring broad ecological protection of Rouge National Urban Park.

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/toronto/feds-beef-up-ecological-protection-for-torontos-rouge-park-with-farm-deal/article30383470/

Strengthening the Canada Pension Plan

Achieving an agreement in principle with provinces and territories to strengthen the CPP is a powerful step toward helping Canadians have a strong, secure and stable retirement.

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/finance-ministers-reach-deal-to-expand-canada-pension-plan/article30532203/

Returned OAS eligibility to 65

Returning the eligibility age back to 65 for Old Age Security and the Guaranteed Income Supplement prioritizes how we care for older Canadians. It will put thousands of dollars back in the pockets of Canadians as they become seniors.

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/liberals-to-return-oas-eligibility-to-65/article29271018/

Increased Guaranteed Income Supplement payments for single seniors

Strengthening income security for Canada’s most vulnerable single seniors reaffirms the government’s commitment to helping low-income seniors. This will improve the financial security of about 900,000 single seniors across Canada.

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/ottawa-signals-increase-to-benefits-for-low-income-seniors/article28791239/

New funding for women’s shelters

Budget 2016 provides significant new funding to ensure shelters and transition homes have the resources to help women and their families. An important step forward in the fight to end violence against women.

http://www.ctvnews.ca/canada/budget-could-add-more-spaces-in-domestic-violence-shelters-1.2835230

More money for infrastructure

An historic $120 billion investment in infrastructure over 10 years will help strengthen Canadian communities and grow the economy.

http://www.budget.gc.ca/2016/docs/plan/ch2-en.html

Launched National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls Inquiry

After consulting with Canadians in a nation-wide process, the national inquiry into the disproportionate number of missing and murdered indigenous women and girls confirms the Liberal government’s commitment to put an end to this national tragedy.

http://www.ctvnews.ca/canada/five-commissioners-to-probe-missing-murdered-indigenous-women-in-canada-1.3012646

Increased Nutrition North funding

More funding for Nutrition North will provide better support for food security to Canadian families living in isolated communities.

http://www.canindia.com/nutrition-north-canada-expanded-to-37-isolated-communities/

Simplified Family Immigration

The government’s ambitious new immigration plan places an increased effort on uniting families more quickly and easily once they arrive in Canada.

http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/liberals-immigration-levels-plan-2016-1.3479764

Legalized medical assistance in dying

Bill C-14 offers the choice to die with dignity to eligible patients who are suffering intolerably.

http://news.gc.ca/web/article-en.do?mthd=advSrch&crtr.mnthndVl=&crtr.mnthStrtVl=&crtr.page=6&nid=1086979&crtr.yrndVl=&crtr.kw=bill+c-14&crtr.yrStrtVl=&crtr.dyStrtVl=&crtr.dyndVl=

Re-opened the Kitsilano Coast Guard Base

Three years since the Conservatives shut it down, the Kitsilano Canadian Coast Guard base in Vancouver was reopened to keep our waters safe and clean.

http://vancouversun.com/news/local-news/were-back-kits-coast-guard-base-officially-reopens

Strengthened First Nations Education

The Liberal government is making significant investments for primary and secondary education on reserves, part of a $2.6 billion commitment to make sure that every First Nations child receives a quality education.

http://news.gc.ca/web/article-en.do?nid=1121409&tp=1

Increased Canada Student Grants

Increasing Canada Student Grants by 50% will help more than 350,000 students achieve a more prosperous future.

http://news.gc.ca/web/article-en.do?mthd=advSrch&crtr.mnthndVl=&crtr.mnthStrtVl=&crtr.page=1&nid=1105439&crtr.yrndVl=&crtr.kw=student+grant&crtr.yrStrtVl=&crtr.dyStrtVl=&crtr.dyndVl=

Prime Minister’s Youth Council

The Prime Minister’s Youth Council is an opportunity for young Canadians to provide their input on national policy, and revitalizes youth engagement in government.

https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2016/07/19/trudeau-announces-youth-council-to-give-input-on-national-policy.html

Revitalized Canada’s international profile

Justin Trudeau and the Liberal team have rejuvenated Canada’s presence on the world stage, re-engaging in international policy and supporting global efforts.

https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2016/07/09/trudeau-having-a-good-summer-on-world-stage-paul-wells.html

Signed Paris Climate Change Agreement

On April 22, 2016, Canada signed an international agreement to combat climate change and work towards a better global future.

https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2016/04/22/trudeau-in-first-wave-of-world-leaders-to-sign-paris-climate-accord.html

Senate-appointment reform

A new efficient and non-partisan appointment system ensures that the Canadian Senate is more open and democratic.

http://news.gc.ca/web/article-en.do?mthd=advSrch&crtr.mnthndVl=&crtr.mnthStrtVl=&crtr.page=1&nid=1095799&crtr.yrndVl=&crtr.kw=senate+reform&crtr.yrStrtVl=&crtr.dyStrtVl=&crtr.dyndVl=

A focus on training and humanitarian aid in Syria

A new military approach toward conflict in Iraq and Syria keeps the focus on training on the ground and humanitarian aid, ultimately leading to a more effective long-term solution.

http://pm.gc.ca/eng/news/2016/02/08/prime-minister-sets-new-course-address-crises-iraq-and-syria-and-impacts-region

Enhanced Services for Veterans

By May 2017, the Liberal government will reopen and staff 9 Veterans Affairs service offices across the country which were closed by the previous government, while also opening a new office in Surrey, B.C. and expanding outreach to veterans in the North.

http://www.veterans.gc.ca/eng/contact/office-openings