M.P. Jaime Battiste Releases Liberal Party of Canada Leadership Priorities

Kwe, Greetings, Bonjour:

As a Member of Parliament, and now through this leadership race, I have had the honour to meet and speak with many Canadians. These conversations and interactions have outlined to me that there is far more that connects us than divides us. I have been blessed with the opportunity to make history as the first Indigenous person to put their name forward and be accepted to be a Candidate for Liberal Party of Canada Leadership.

 In my fight for Canadians there are few priorities that I will continue to advocate for. Collaboration with all levels of governments will be key. As a vast nation, with diverse people, we need to work together for change while protecting the environment, strengthening the economy, and continuing to advocate for advancement for all.

Continuing to Advance Reconciliation 

We need to work together to close the gap in the quality of life for Indigenous people and focus on essential things like clean water, health, and policing services. We also need to address the harms created by colonial policy and move forward on nation-to-nation solutions to self-determination and investing in economic reconciliation that will lead to growth in Canada. 

This includes our government obligation to negotiate in good faith the $47.8 billion agreement for the long-term reform of the First Nations Child and Family Services Program for First Nations in all regions in Canada. 

 Moving forward, we need collaborative fisheries that respect Indigenous treaty and inherent rights, ensuring the creation of partnership between rights holders in the science, enforcement, and participation in the fisheries sector. This will ensure a sustainable and peaceful fishery in the Atlantic.

 Protecting our Environment for the Future 

The consequences of climate change have impacted all of us in Canada and have significantly impacted the Atlantic region from hurricanes, fires, floods, and record snow falls. In this climate crisis, we need to rethink the management of our consumption at all levels and think of new ways to encourage users to think of the future of our people and planet. 

 Changes need to be made about how we manage consumptions and production of energy. We need to accelerate advancement in clean energy. We have heard we need to pause the scheduled increase to the consumer price on pollution and call for an immediate First Ministers Meeting on Environment and Environmental Disasters to discuss and plan for balancing people’s needs with preventing a growing climate crisis.

 As Canadian we can’t afford to move backwards in fighting the climate crisis, we must work together to continue to act! My own Private Members Bill (M-35)  establishes a consumer-friendly system to help each of us make decisions about environmental impacts of the products we purchase rather than taxing Canadians disproportionately. 

 A More Affordable Canada by Addressing the Wealth Gap 

Most Canadians, especially many of us who are residents in rural communities, are struggling with the cost of everyday living. We need to ensure we continue to develop fair supports and incentives to assist Canadians that need it most.  

We also need to develop better alternatives to increase revenue opportunities for the Government of Canada, those that do not negatively impact vital professions and small businesses that are the backbone to our economy. We need to ensure that, while trying to increase revenue to reduce our deficit we do not hinder investments and future growth opportunities to our economy. These alternatives should ensure taxes are equitably distributed and not disadvantage the middle class and most vulnerable Canadians.

 Canada needs to look to international stage and work cooperatively with other G20 nations to advocate to address the wealth inequalities in the world. Many other nations are demanding the redistribution of wealth and Canada needs to be a leader and advocate for an agreement on global minimum tax on worlds billionaires. The proceeds of which would focus on the global need to tackle the climate crisis, inequities, and poverty caused by climate change.

 I am ready to work toward a Balanced Vision for Canada, a vision that supports our economy, our environment, and our responsibilities to reconciliation and affordability. Now is the time to rethink, rebuild, and reframe our future. Let’s work together – not only to make history, but a better Canada for all! 

Sincerely,

 Jaime Battiste