Peoples.. please get out and VOTE TODAY! It's so important we all make our voices heard, no matter who you may support. Out of 23.6 million electors in the last election, only 5.2 million voted for the current Conservative government. That's 22% of eligible voters, and only 16.2% of the total population. Whether you support them or not, we need to do better. There are 5.65 million Canadians aged 18-29. In the past, this age group has voted so little that politicians don't bother with them. If all of Canada's youth voted, they would rock the whole political system!

Manifesto does not formally endorse any party or candidate in today's election. The grades above are meant to be top level and were put together by POUND's editorial committee. They are based on research of the parties' campaign platforms, as well as their track records where available. Below is a table providing some comments on the considerations behind each grade. If you are interested in finding out more about how we arrived at these grades, please contact us at info@themanifesto.ca.

Please also check below for links to each of the party's sites to learn more about their platforms, as well as some other sites that are helpful in selecting who to vote for according to your values, finding out where to vote, and making the most of your vote depending on where you'd like to place your support today.

So please VOTE TODAY, and get anyone you can to cast their votes as well.

Party Websites

• Conservative Party Of Canada
• Liberal Party Of Canada
• New Democratic Party of Canada
• Bloc Québécois
• Green Party of Canada

Other Resources

• Elections Canada
• CBC Vote Compass
• Avaaz
• Project Democracy
• Vote Social





	CONSERVATIVE	LIBERAL	NDP	BLOC	GREEN
ARTS & CULTURE	On April 5, the Canadian Council of the Arts sent a series of questions relating to the culture, arts and heritage sector. The Conservative Party was the only party that did not respond.	Says they will double the annual budget of the Canada Council for the Arts, from $180 million to $360 million over the next four years.	Says they will restore the $45 million Stephen Harper's government cut from arts programs.	For the last four years, the party has been asking the federal government to increase the budget of the Canada Council for the Arts to $300 million in order to improve funding for artists and creators.	Says they will create a Municipal Superfund with 900 million dollars in dedicating funding for sports, recreational and cultural programs and facilities.
ECONOMY	Historically pro-business (especially friendly to energy sector), the Tories have cut corporate taxes during their time in office. Have received credit for stabilizing the economy during the recession. Many argue that it was the economic policy of the previous Liberal government that in fact made Canada's economy resilient.	Committed to removing Harper's corporate tax breaks especially those geared towards the energy sector.	Traditionally a pro-people party, the NDP would reinstate a national minimum wage law and cap credit card interest rates.	Would eliminate business tax shelters but many policies are focused on improving Quebec's economy.	Would focus on create jobs through the promotion of sustainable energy industries.
ENVIRONMENT	Have promised to invest $113 million into an Environmental Enforcement Action plan over the next 5 years. However, Harper has failed to make the environment one of his priorities in the last 7 years.	The Liberals have announced plans to implement a “Green Renovation Tax Credit” with a goal of retrofitting over 1 million homes by 2017, creating cleaner oil sands development, and a Climate Change Action Plan for up until 2017.	The NDP has a history of environmental stewardship. They have made it clear in their platform that the impact of climate change is significant to them.	The Bloc have made it a priority to tackle climate change, promoting the widespread use of the electric car and green energy, but their initiatives focus on Quebec.	The Green Party entire platform revolves around “a vision green.”
HUMAN RIGHTS & EQUALITY	The conservatives have yet to participate in the abortion debate, however, they have had a previous pro-life stance in the past. They hold the belief that marriage should be between woman and man.	Ignatieff has announced plans to ensure that women have access to all the contraceptive methods available in the safest means, creating a maternal health initiative that will fund organizations advancing women’s rights.	Jack Layton on women: “they are working harder and harder to balance work and home, but they still make only 70 cents on every dollar earned by men.”	The Bloc promote a pro-choice stance, arguing for “the rights [for persons] to control their own bodies”.	Pro-life and pro-choice, and committed to providing legal and safe abortions for women.
IMMIGRATION	In December, 2010, they cut $53 million from immigrant and refugee-settlement programs, now they are announcing $6 million to be put towards immigrant-training programmes.	The Liberal's position is that immigration integration services will be provided "as long as you need it".	The party's platform says they will "accelerate and streamline the recognition of foreign credentials,  overseas degrees and previous employment experience."	The Blocs believe that less needs to be done to accomodate religious minorities in Canada.	The Greens advocate for the inclusion of 'environmental refugees' as a refugee category in Canada.
FOREIGN POLICY & DEFENSE	Advocate an aggressive foreign policy, highlighted by their commitment to purchase 65 F35 fighters at a projected cost of nearly $30 billion.	The Liberal platform is light on details but champions "a return to peace operations" while also celebrating the contributions of the armed forces in Afghanistan.	Would end Canada's involvement in Afghanistan and support the creation of an independent Palestinian state.	From the Bloc's policy statement, "A belligerent foreign policy, where solidarity gives way to  threats and law to force, is against our values."	Supports the partial withdrawal from Afghanistan and the recognition of Palestine.
SOCIAL WELFARE	Analysts say past experience has shown that the savings envisioned by Harper would require significant cuts to social programs.	The Liberal platform promises a federal poverty reduction plan including the Canadian Learning Strategy, the National Food Policy and a new Affordable Housing Framework. Together, these policies represent a $5 billion investment over 2 years.	The NDP platform details a plan to transfer $800 million to the provinces and territories to lower tuition fees.	Promises gradual investment by the federal government until $2 billion per year is invested in social housing.	The party promises to create thousands of new green jobs through investment in renewable energy, shifts in transportation and retrofitting of old buildings for energy efficiency.