Oped Weston: Conservative Party desperately needs a value proposition
Credit to Author: Hardip Johal| Date: Fri, 24 Jan 2020 02:00:41 +0000
The Conservative Party of Canada desperately needs a value proposition that distinguishes itself. Contenders in the current leadership race will otherwise doom the party to continuing decay as a refuge for backward-looking traditionalists with nothing to offer new generations.
Let me offer a new, clear purpose and definition of who we are as Canadian Conservatives: “We promote the strength of the individual and the right of equal opportunity for all to achieve our objectives in life. We recognize that we all bear responsibility to give back to our community more than we receive. We believe that individual excellence and community responsibility together foster a sustainable society.”
On the economy: I would initiate a sweeping review to simplify the Tax Act. I would consider raising the GST while cutting personal income tax for the first $100,000 of income. We would shift the tax burden to wealthier Canadians who consume more non-essential goods and services, and make housing and other daily costs more affordable for young people, the middle-class, and low-income earners. A cut in corporate taxes could make us more competitive, encourage investment, and bolster government revenue.
On the environment: Conservatives must be known for well-informed “conservation” — the essence of our very name. As I said in the House of Commons, “The environment IS the economy.” We should accept a diminished carbon tax but acknowledge that environmental improvement requires more than containing CO2 emissions. Environmental regulations should focus on the nexus of water, food, and energy, significantly reducing the resources required to produce all three, while reducing CO2 emissions. Our policies should encourage “micro-distribution systems,” which rely on generating electricity, water, and food within local communities. These measures can help us meet our Paris Accord commitments and lower electricity and heating costs. We should highlight the worldwide benefits of Canadian natural gas and environmental expertise.
On health care: We are crashing due to well-acknowledged waves of sedentary behaviour, diabetes, cardiovascular disease and mental illness. Ninety per cent of youth fail to get the recommended levels of weekly physical activity. We struggle with the crippling economic consequences of a system that tends to react to sickness rather than promoting physical, mental, and spiritual health. We ought to commit to “Make Canada the Fittest Nation on Earth” by 2030, marking that commitment with the creation of a National Health and Fitness Institute and a National Cycling Strategy.
On community: The redefined balance between individual excellence and community responsibility should focus government resources behind merit-based initiatives, steering away from partisan or other unhelpful market distortions. In Indigenous affairs, we must finalize outstanding claims, promoting a Canada governed over the long-term by equal rights and responsibilities for all Canadians. We must vigorously pursue Reconciliation, fostering a Canada subject to one law for all.
On security: A government’s highest priority is to ensure citizens’ safety. We need a strong military to protect our people and to meet our international obligations. This means heightening the appeal of military service and taking better care of veterans. We need to strengthen our navy, with special emphasis on protecting the Arctic. Reversing past naive policies, we need a new department dedicated to cybersecurity. We need to enhance the safety of Canadian Citizens abroad against unlawful detentions. To quell the opioid crisis, we must step up measures to combat Trans-National Organized Crime.
On International affairs: We need to reset the relationship with China, Hong Kong and Taiwan. As a Mandarin-speaker who lived and worked for a decade in Asia, I would encourage steps that bolster Canada’s national security and economic prosperity, while promoting democracy, human rights, and the rule of law.
Canadian Conservatives, let’s together dedicate ourselves to a redefined party. This leadership contest should not be about personalities and name recognition. Instead, I challenge my fellow Conservatives who want to be leader of this party also to define their vision and definition of “Conservative in Canada.”
John Weston served as Conservative member of parliament for West Vancouver-Sunshine Coast-Sea to Sky Country from 2008 to 2015. He practises law at Pan Pacific Law Corp.