Where Does Stronach Stand?
Dateline: 01/25/04
Attractive, wealthy and well-connected, Belinda Stronach has received extensive media coverage and livened up the leadership race for the new Conservative Party of Canada, without any mention of where she stands on issues. With her formal announcement on January 20, 2004 of her candidacy for the Conservative Party leadership, a few general indications of her policy positions emerged.
Stronach says the Conservative Party's policies should be built "from the grassroots up, not the leader down." That might be difficult to do with an election expected to be called this spring. The new Conservative Party will not have time to hold a policy convention before the election, and the winner of the Conservative leadership vote March 19-21 will likely have just a matter of weeks to prepare for a national election campaign against Paul Martin, Gilles Duceppe and Jack Layton. Hopefully Stronach's high-powered team is busy fleshing out the bare bones of the policy positions that have been expressed so far.
Stronach says she wants less government, and more collaboration and consultation.
Stronach says she is a fiscal conservative.
Stronach says she is modern and moderate.
Stronach wants Canada respected as a leader on global issues.
Stronach promises to rebuild the Canadian military.
Attractive, wealthy and well-connected, Belinda Stronach has received extensive media coverage and livened up the leadership race for the new Conservative Party of Canada, without any mention of where she stands on issues. With her formal announcement on January 20, 2004 of her candidacy for the Conservative Party leadership, a few general indications of her policy positions emerged.
Stronach says the Conservative Party's policies should be built "from the grassroots up, not the leader down." That might be difficult to do with an election expected to be called this spring. The new Conservative Party will not have time to hold a policy convention before the election, and the winner of the Conservative leadership vote March 19-21 will likely have just a matter of weeks to prepare for a national election campaign against Paul Martin, Gilles Duceppe and Jack Layton. Hopefully Stronach's high-powered team is busy fleshing out the bare bones of the policy positions that have been expressed so far.
Government
Stronach says she wants less government, and more collaboration and consultation.
- plans to encourage more active involvement of young Canadians in politics and public service
- will promote a "more constructive approach to political debate."
Economy
Stronach says she is a fiscal conservative.
- plans to make Canada more competitive globally and "bake a bigger economic pie" rather than cut social spending.
- puts the emphasis on "strong job creation, high productivity, a competitive tax structure, as little debt as possible and a flourishing manufacturing sector."
Social Issues
Stronach says she is modern and moderate.
- Education - Parents and students should be able to deduct post-secondary tuition from their income taxes.
- Same-sex marriages - A human right and people should be treated equally under the law. Says she understands others will disagree and the decision should be left to a free vote in Parliament.
- Decriminalization of marijuana - Against it.
- Abortion - Pro-choice.
International Relations
Stronach wants Canada respected as a leader on global issues.
- War on Iraq - Supports it, but when asked if she would have committed Canadian troops retreats to "I'm not a military expert."
- Canada-U.S. Relations - Canada should build closer relations with the U.S. in order to establish a North American security perimeter.
Military
Stronach promises to rebuild the Canadian military.
