Liberal Vision

Posted by admin on Oct 29, 2005 in Community | 0 comments

Shelby Caravetta
Trinity Western
Young Liberals, President

The Liberal Party of Canada consists of people from all across the nation ranging from ages fourteen to ninety. Being a member of any political party gives you the opportunity to have a voice in party leadership and party policy. The Liberal Party has a Youth Commission which gives representation to youth within the Party–my voice is listened to rather than muted because of age. At the 2003 Liberal Leadership Convention, I had a vote in who I wanted as leader of the party and subsequently as prime minister. Being a liberal means you can contribute to history and help improve the lives of people in Canada and abroad through policy.

I believe that the Liberal Party holds the best vision for the future of Canada. Its vision is demonstrated in its platforms and programs. This past year, the greenest budget was tabled by the Liberal government. This budget committed more than $5 billion towards the environment. The Liberal party embraces the five principles of the Canada Health Act (public administration, comprehensiveness, universality, portability, and accessibility). Liberal governments have worked closely with the provinces to direct funding and resources into health care. Our Prime Minister has shown strong leadership in how Canada should proceed in international issues. I am proud of the Right Honourable Paul Martin for saying that, “We must seize the moment to reassert ourselves on the world stage, to speak up with a persuasive voice for equality, human rights and a fairer globalization.”

For a Liberal, equality for all, individual freedom and human dignity are of the utmost importance. With progressive policies, people have options and they can make their own personal choices, free from discrimination. This being said, when something becomes legalized or decriminalized it does not make participation in it mandatory.

I believe in the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. I support same sex marriage. I believe space is no place for weapons. I do not support ballistic missile defense. I believe a criminal record has serious and lifelong consequences. I support decriminalization of marijuana. I believe in individual freedom. I support a woman’s right to choose. I believe that before you judge me or write a letter to the Editor, you should ask yourself how you would act as a Christian in politics when church and state are separate. I do not think that my role as a Christian is to legislate my values onto the populace.