Western Independence Party of Saskatchewan 2007 Election Platform

• THEME #1: WESTERN INDEPENDENCE
  1. Western Independence: The Western Independence Party of Saskatchewan was created to facilitate the establishment of an independent Western Canadian nation. Ideally this country would consist of Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, British Columbia and the Territories. Each province’s right to self-determination would be respected. We support the formation of a union of those provinces that vote to secede. The WIP will promote independence through exclusively peaceful and legal means. A WIP government, prior to declaring independence, will exercise all powers granted to provincial governments under the Canadian constitution and will opt out of any federal programs that encroach on provincial jurisdiction. These areas include policing, education, health and the enviroment.
  
  THEME #2: DEMOCRATIC AND ELECTORAL REFORM
  1. Direct Democracy: The Western Independence Party of Saskatchewan believes in the establishment of direct democracy via referenda. Under this reform, citizens could gather a properly certified petition from the Chief Electoral Officer and then collect signatures on any issue. The greater of 18,000 or three per-cent of all eligible voters will be enough signatures to hold a referendum on the issue. The result of all cumulative referendums would override the Acts of the Saskatchewan Legislature and would be implemented immediately. The notwithstanding clause would be invoked with respect to referendum results.
  2. Preferential Balloting: A Western Independence Party of Saskatchewan government would amend the election laws to allow for preferential balloting, using the Australian model, abolishing the antiquated first past the post system. Under this system,a voter would indicate his/her choices in descending order. A candidate would win a seat in the Legislative Assembly of Saskatchewan by obtaining 50%+1 of all valid votes with preferences. Under this system if no one has achieved 50%+1... The last place finisher would be dropped off the balot and the second choices on those ballots will be added into the other candidates’ totals. Under this system strategic voting becomes a thing of the past as vote splitting would be eliminated.
  3. Recall: A WIP government will also introduce recall legislation so voters in a constituency can fire an MLA. Under this proposed reform if 35% of all eligible voters within the constituency sign a recall petition then the MLA would be expelled from the legislature and a by-election would take place to replace him/her. The constituents would have six months to gather the signatures beginning from the date of the first signature.
  4. Fixed Election Dates: A WIP government would introduce fixed election dates. A Provincial General Election would be held on the last Monday in June every four years.
  
  THEME #3: FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY
  1. Balanced Budgets: The Western Independence Party of Saskatchewan believes that the Provincial Budget should always be balanced. A WIP government will reaffirm the current government’s balanced budget legislation and will increase penalties against offending ministers. To keep spending in check, and to ensure that the budget will always balanced, a WIP government will limit budgetary spending increases to the rate of inflation. Spending the Fiscal Stabilization fund (or any portion thereof) on anything except bona fide emergency measures would be prohibited.
  2. Debt Reduction: Saskatchewan is crippled by a whopping $11.5 billion debt. This debt currently costs the Saskatchewan people more than $600 million annually in interest payments. A WIP government’s first priority will be to pay down and eliminate this heavy burden as soon as possible. A WIP government will be required by law to use all surplus monies on debt reduction. In the years following the first surplus the cumulative interst savings will also be used towards debt reduction. We believe that the elimination of the provincial debt within ten years is a realistic goal.
  3. Single Rate of Income Tax: A WIP government will improve Saskatchewan’s tax competitiveness. Our Albertan neighbors benefit from having only single rate of personal income tax. As soon as finances allow, A WIP government will phase out the top two brackets and thereby institute a single rate of income tax at 11%, which will be further reduced as the province’s finances improve. In addition, a WIP government will immediately double the basic personal exemption immediately after assuming office.
  4. Education Tax Reform: The greatest property tax is the education portion of the property tax on farmland. In urban areas education taxes are only assessed against residential properties and businesses. To correct this injustice, A WIP government will eliminate the education portion of property tax off of all farmland except for the home-quarter or single wealthiest quarter. The shortfall would be made up from the general revenue fund.
  5. Repeal of Liquor Consumption Tax: The Liquor Consumption Tax is an unnecessary and unacceptable burden for struggling hotels, especially in small town Saskatchewan. Saskatchewan is the only province that levies this sort of tax. A WIP government will repeal the liquor consumption tax.
  
  THEME #4: FREEDOM AND ECONOMIC POLICY
  1. Property Rights: The Western Independence Party is the only political party in Saskatchewan that believes in the sacred concept of property rights. When in government the WIP will recognize the rights of homeowners, business owners, and proprietors to enjoy their private property as they see fit within the confines of the law.
  2. Affirmative Action: The WIP believes in the absolute equality of all citizens regardless of race, ethnicity, or gender, For this reason, a WIP government will abolish the practice of employment equity and affirmative action from all government departments and cancel all funding towards those kind of programs. Job applicants will be hired exclusively on their merits.
  3. Nuclear Power: The WIP acknowledges the concerns in regards to global warming. We do not however subscribe to this belief. In order to reduce and mitigate “greenhouse gases” a WIP government will actively encourage the production of clean, safe nuclear energy, especially in Northern Saskatchewan. Furthermore, a WIP government will encourage the growth of the uranium industry in both the mining and refining sectors.