NDP Promises Doctors, Pensions in Platform

Jack Layton's party makes a pitch to families and small businesses as his opponents question costs.

The NDP released its platform on Sunday, calling for a balanced budget by 2014-15 through a corporate tax increase and ending oil subsidies, while hiring more doctors and strengthening pensions for those under 40. Other proposals include opening 25,000 new day-care spots, limiting credit-card interest rates, trimming the small-business tax rate, and freezing tuition fees. The platform will cost $8.9 billion in its first year, and both Liberals and Conservatives have dismissed the NDP platform as a “wish list” that has little chance of forming the next government's agenda. With all major party platforms released, the debates scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday now have fuel for what should be at least a mildly entertaining set of evenings.