STATEMENT OF PRINCIPLES We, the members of the
Libertarian Party of Canada, support the following
principles:
Each individual has the right to his or her own
life, and this right is the source of all other
rights.
Property rights are essential to the maintenance
of those rights.
In order that these rights be respected, it is
essential that no individual or group initiate
the use of force or fraud against any other.
In order to bar the use of force or fraud from
social relationships and to place the use of
retaliatory force under objective control, human
society requires an institution charged with the
task of protecting individual rights under an
objective code of rules. This is the basic task
of, and the only moral justification for,
government.
The only proper functions of government whose
powers must be constitutionally limited, are:
settling, according to objective laws,
disputes among individuals, where private
, voluntary arbitration has failed;
providing protection from criminals;
providing protection from foreign
invaders.
As a consequence of all the above, every
individual, as long as he or she respects the
rights of others, has the right to live as he or
she alone sees fit, as a free trader on a free
market.
GOVERNMENT
Preamble We, the members of the Libertarian Party
of Canada, call for a marked reduction in the
size and powers of the Government of Canada. We
hold that where governments exist, they should be
stringently limited both in their structure and
in their operations. The recognition and
protection of the rights of the individual to
life, liberty, and property are the only proper
purposes of government.
Constitution We support the amendment of the
Canadian Constitution in order to make the
federal government fully responsible to its
citizens for its operations and to limit the role
of government to that of protecting individual
rights. We propose that all legislation ruled
unconstitutional by the courts be thereby
inoperative.
Charter of Rights We support amendment of the
Constitution's Charter of Rights in order to
guarantee protection against the use of force or
fraud by any individual or group, or by the
government. This Charter of Rights should contain
a clause indicating that the government shall
pass no laws that restrict the Charter of Rights.
Freedom of Information
We favour the repeal of the Official Secrets
Act, and any other legislation which keeps
government information from its citizens. Current
laws against trespass, breaking and entering,
invasion of privacy, and theft, and secrecy
clauses in government contracts, should be
sufficient to preserve any legitimate government
secrets. We support adoption of a Freedom of
Information Act, whereby any individual may sue
for the release of any government information
that affects him/her personally. The government
should be compelled either to release this
information or to prove that its release would
violate the rights of others.
Freedom of Political Action In order to maintain
our system of free elections, it is essential
that elections be kept free from interference by
the party in power. We are opposed to the
expenditure of tax revenue to subsidize any
political party, and we will not accept such
money. We oppose any laws which restrict the
freedom of individuals to organize new political
parties. We call for the repeal of all laws
limiting the or otherwise governing political
contributions and expenses, as these laws violate
the right to trade, and the repeal of all laws
requiring the disclosure of the names of
political contributors, as violating the right to
privacy and the secret ballot. As a first step,
we believe that spending and disclosure laws
should apply only to those parties receiving
government subsidies.
Initiatives We advocate that the electorate be
empowered to require a vote on any measure at the
time of an election, by prior presentation of a
petition bearing the signatures of a specified
number of persons qualified to vote in that
election. It approved, such measures would have
the same force of law as any legislation.
Initiative measures, like any legislation, must
be consistent with the Constitution and the
Charter or Rights.
Recall We advocate that the electorate be
empowered to require a vote on the removal of any
piece of legislation, by presentation of a
petition bearing the signatures of a specified
number of qualified electors.
Orders in Council We believe that no measure
should have the force of law unless adopted by a
duly elected Parliament, or by initiative;
therefore, we are opposed to government by
Order-in-Council.
Disallowance We would restrict the federal
government's power to disallow provincial
legislation to that legislation which violates
the Constitution or the Charter of Rights.
Official Languages We call for the repeal of the
Official Languages Act, and any other legislation
compelling individuals to use certain languages.
We believe that the federal government should
provide services in English, French, or any other
language provided that the costs of such services
are borne by the individuals requesting them.
INDIVIDUAL RIGHTS
Preamble There are no other rights but individual
rights, and these rights are inviolable. We hold
that each individual has the right to exercise
sole dominion over her/his life, and to live in
whatever manner she/he may choose, so long as
she/he does not violate the equal rights of
others. Each individual must have the right to
self-determination, the necessary extension of
the right to life, which should render illegal
any attempt to agress against any individual or
to seize the product of his/her labour.
Discrimination We believe that no individual
rights should be denied or abridged by the laws
or actions of the Government of Canada or the
government of any political subdivision thereof,
because of race religion, sex, age, or any other
characteristic or because of personal
non-criminal activity.
Freedom of Speech and Assembly We are opposed to
all forms of government censorship. We oppose all
laws which restrict individual freedom to conduct
public demonstrations, speeches, or exhibits, or
to canvass for any reason. Abuses in any of the
above-mentioned areas can be dealt with through
laws such as the laws of contract and laws
prescribing trespass, destruction of private
property, fraud, and assault.
Freedom of the Media We oppose government control
or ownership of any medium of communication.
Therefore we support:
the repeal of all laws prohibiting,
licensing, regulating, taxing, or
subsidizing the production, sale, or
advertisement of any books, magazines,
newspapers, and films;
the abolition of media regulatory
agencies, such as the Canadian
Radio-Television and Telecommunications
Commission;
the sale of such agencies as the Canadian
Broadcasting Corporation and the National
Film Board to private enterprise;
constitutional guarantees of free speech
which would apply to all communications
media; and
the development of an objective system of
law defining individual property rights
to "air waves".
Freedom of Association We support the right of
individuals to join voluntarily, or to refrain
from joining, any association, club, society, or
other organization.
Freedom of Religion We defend the right of
individuals to engage in any religious activities
which do not violate the rights of others. In
order to defend religious freedom, we advocate a
strict separation of church and state. We oppose
taxation of church property for the same reasons
we oppose all other taxation.
Freedom of Contract We believe that governments
should not impose any contractual stipulations on
any personal arrangements such as marriage,
divorce, inheritance, or adoption. Any type of
voluntary, personal contract must be eligible for
protection by law.
Property Rights We hold that property rights are
entitled to the same respect and protection as
other individual rights, because the owner of
property has the full moral right to control,
use, dispose of, or in any manner enjoy her/his
property without interference, until and unless
the exercise of her/his control infringes upon
the rights of others.
Land Use The activity of land use planning is
properly the responsibility and right of the
owner(s) of the land. We therefore urge an end to
all government interference in the planning
process through such methods as expropriation,
zoning laws or building codes, regional planning,
or the acquisition of land or other real property
with tax money. We call for the repeal of all
laws regulating the use of private property.
Right to Privacy We oppose covert government
surveillance of individuals, where such
surveillance violates the personal or property
rights of any individual. Any national census or
other government compilation of data on
individuals, groups, or corporations must
properly be conducted on a strictly voluntary
basis.
Right to Self-Protection We hold that the
individual has the right to own and bear arms.
Consequently we oppose restrictions on the
ownership or use of guns or any other arms.
General arms restrictions deprive the individual
of his/her right to self-defense in an emergency
situation while leaving the criminal fully armed.
We propose, as an alternative to general arms
restriction, the imposition of severe penalties
for the criminal abuse of this right, thus
placing the blame for armed crime where it
properly belongs - on the criminal.
CIVIL ORDER
Preamble No conflict exists between the
individual's rights to life, liberty, and
property, and the government's obligation to
maintain civil order. Both concepts are based on
the same principle: that no individual, group, or
government may initiate force or fraud against
any other individual, group, or government.
Crime Crime, the initiation of force or fraud,
threatens the lives, happiness, and property of
all Canadians. To prevent and suppress crime, we
support:
clear, consistent, and impartial laws
protecting individual rights;
strong, well-financed police force and
judicial system;
the right of any private security agency
to offer protection services, consistent
with the Constitution and the Charter of
Rights; and
the right of any individual to defend
himself/herself and his/her property and
to contract with any security agency for
this purpose.
Victim-less Crimes Since only actions which
violate the rights of others may properly be
termed crimes, we favour the repeal of all
federal laws creating "crimes" without
victims. In particular, we advocate:
the repeal of all legislation prohibiting
the production, sale, possession, or use
of any drug, and of all legislation
requiring medical prescriptions for the
purchase of any drug, vitamin, or other
substance;
the repeal of all laws regulating or
prohibiting gambling; and
unconditional amnesty for all those
currently incarcerated for the commission
of these "crimes."
Due Process Until a person is proven guilty of
any crime of which she/he may be accused, that
person's individual rights must be respected. No
person shall be held or questioned against
his/her will unless charges are laid, or
prevented for any reason from consulting with an
attorney. We advocate the repeal of the War
Measures Act and all other preventive detention
legislation, uphold the right of the accused to a
speedy trial, and support full restitution by the
government for all losses suffered by persons
arrested but not convicted.
Police Powers We favour the repeal of all laws
permitting the government to declare martial
laws, or to give the police extraordinary powers.
We believe that a law enforcement officer has the
same rights, and the same obligation under the
law to respect the rights of others, as does any
other individual.
Justice for the Victim The purpose of any system
of courts is to provide justice. The present
system of criminal law is based on punishment
with little concern for the victim. We support
restitution for the victim to the greatest degree
possible, at the expense of the criminal.
Accordingly we oppose all no-fault laws, which
deprive the victim of the exercise of his right
to recover damages from the responsible party. We
also support the right of the victim to pardon
the criminal. We advocate an end to defense based
on "insanity" or "diminished
capacity," which absolve the guilty of their
responsibility.
Government and Psychiatry We urge that no person
who has not been charged or convicted of a crime
shall be incarcerated or detained against her/his
will, for psychiatric or any other reasons, in a
mental hospital or other institution. We further
advocate:
the repeal of all laws permitting the
involuntary psychiatric treatment of any
persons, including children;
an end to all involuntary treatment of
prisoners, as, for example, by such means
as psycho-surgery, drug therapy, and
aversion therapy;
an immediate end to the spending of tax
money for any program of psychiatric or
psychological research or treatment; and
an end to tax-supported "mental
health" centres and programs.
Passports and Travel Restrictions We oppose any
attempt by the government to restrict the right
of any individual to travel to, from, or within
Canada. We believe that the government may
properly refuse to provide protection services to
an individual who is outside Canada.
Immigration We believe that all individuals have
the right to choose where to live, provided they
do not do so in violation of the rights of
others. Therefore we advocate open immigration
policies, along with the elimination of all
government programs which subsidize immigration.
DEFENSE AND FOREIGN POLICY
Preamble The principle of non-initiation of force
should guide relationships among governments. A
Libertarian government would adopt a policy of
non-intervention, abstaining totally from foreign
quarrels and imperialist adventures.
Military Capability We support the maintenance of
a military establishment sufficient to defend
Canada against foreign aggression.
Conscription We oppose any effort to introduce
conscription for military service or for any
other purpose. Requiring individuals to serve
against their will, no matter what the service or
how lofty the motive, is a denial of their
individual rights.
Military Alliances We approve of military
cooperation with other governments solely to
protect the rights of Canadian citizens and
residents.
International Agreements We maintain that the
sole proper purpose of any agreement between the
Government of Canada and any foreign governments
is the protection of Canadian citizens or
residents. We support the repeal of any treaty,
agreement, or act which violates the rights of
Canadian citizens or residents. We advocate
immediate withdrawal from the United Nations. We
further advocate constitutionally barring the
Government of Canada from entering into any
treaty or agreement under which individual rights
are diminished.
External Affairs We favour a drastic reduction in
he size and cost of our total diplomatic
establishment. We would allow private Canadian
citizens to enter into diplomatic negotiations
with any foreign individuals or governments.
Diplomatic Immunity We are opposed to the
granting of immunity from prosecution, for
diplomatic or any other reasons, to any
individual.
Foreign Aid We oppose all government aid to
foreign countries, except in fulfillment of
commitments under military alliance. We deny that
the Government of Canada is responsible for the
economic welfare of any other nation.
International Trade We propose the abolition of
all barriers to international trade caused by the
laws of Canada [see Tariffs and Quotas section].
International Finance We favour withdrawal of the
Government of Canada from all international paper
money and other inflationary credit schemes. We
favour withdrawal from the World bank and the
International Monetary Fund. We oppose all
government attempts to regulate currency exchange
rates. International trade can truly be free only
when currency exchange rates reflect the
free-market value of respective currencies.
Unclaimed Territory We oppose the recognition of
fiat claims, advanced by nations or international
boundaries, to currently unclaimed territory such
as the ocean floor of extraterrestrial bodies. We
support the development of objective standards
for recognizing a claim of sovereignty over such
territory.
TRADE AND THE ECONOMY
Preamble Economic rights are an extension of
individual rights, specifically of the right to
association and the right to own property. All
government action which interferes with the free
market violates these rights. The only proper
role of government, in this context, is to
protect property rights, enforce contracts, and
adjudicate disputes, providing a legal framework
for the protection of voluntary trade.
The Economy Government intervention in the
economy threatens both the personal freedom and
the material prosperity of every Canadian. We
therefore support the following specific and
immediate reforms:
reduction of both taxes and government
spending;
an end to deficit spending;
the removal of all government impediments
to free trade, including legislation
dealing with industrial labour relations,
the Combines Investigation Act,
government marketing boards, and
government licensing and enforcement of
monopolies (for example, the present
communications, utilities and
transportation agreements); and
the repeal of all controls on wages,
prices, rents, profits, production, and
interest rates.
Trade We believe that each person has the right
to exchange goods and services with any person or
group, free from coercion. All efforts by
government to control or manage trade are
improper.
Money We oppose any government involvement in the
monetary and banking system. We propose
elimination of the Bank of Canada and the
termination of government power to issue or
regulate currency or credit. We support the
continued freedom of any individual or group to
own gold or any other commodity of exchange, as
well as the right to produce coinage and issue
currency.
Taxation Because we believe that every individual
is entitled to keep the product of his or her
labour, we oppose, as a violation of individual
rights, all government activity which consists of
the forcible collection of money or goods from
citizens. Specifically, we support the repeal of
all taxation. Pending such repeal, we are opposed
to the use of criminal sanctions against tax
evaders, and support unconditional amnesty for
all persons convicted of violating tax law. We
oppose, as involuntary servitude, any legal
requirements forcing employers or business owners
to serve as tax collectors for any government
agency. We support a system of fees for services
rendered, and collection of voluntary donations,
as methods for financing government services in a
free society.
Subsidies In order to achieve a free economy, in
which government victimizes no one for the
benefit of anyone else, we oppose all government
subsidies to business, labour, education,
agriculture, science, the arts, sports, political
parties, or any other special interest. We
propose the elimination of all government
"job creation" schemes.
Tariffs and Quotas Like subsidies, tariffs and
quotas serve only to give special treatment to
favoured interests, and to diminish the welfare
of all citizens. We therefore support the
abolition of all tariffs and quotas as well as
the abolition of the Canadian Tariff Board and
such boards, commissions, or departments as act
under the terms and authority of either the
Customs Act and the Customs Tariff.
Foreign Investment We call for the immediate
repeal of all special restrictions and taxes
imposed on foreign investment in Canadian
property and business. All persons living and
working in Canada, regardless of citizenship,
have an equal right to freely exchange goods and
services.
Government Agencies We oppose the involvement of
government agencies or Crown Corporations in
business and industry (e.g., the Canadian
National system, Canada Post, and all seaports
and airports). We propose the immediate repeal of
all legislation restricting free competition with
any of these agencies, and the disposal of their
assets to individuals or private groups.
Unions and Collective Bargaining We support the
right of individuals voluntarily to join or to
establish labour unions. We believe that an
employer should have the right to recognize, or
to refuse to recognize, a union as the collective
bargaining agent for some or all employees. We
recognize the employer's moral right to employ
substitute workers in case of strikes, and the
union's moral right to organize secondary
boycotts, unless there are contractual agreements
to the contrary. We oppose all government
interference in the bargaining process, such as
certification of unions, compulsory arbitration,
or imposition of an obligation to bargain. We
recognize voluntary contracts between employers
and labour unions as being legally and morally
binding on both parties.
Employment Standards Legislation specifying wages
to be paid, hours to be worked, and other
conditions of employment restricts the ability of
individuals to find work, and limits individual
freedom. We believe that the government's ability
to set employment standards should be restricted
in applicability to its own employees.
SOCIAL CONCERNS
Preamble Government interference in current
social concerns such as pollution, consumer
protection, health care delivery, and poverty
exceeds the level required for the protection of
individual rights. In additions, problems in
these areas have not been solved, but primarily
caused, by government. The role of government in
these areas must be reduced to one of protection
of individual rights.
Pollution We maintain that no one has the right
to violate the property rights of others by
pollution. We believe that the laws of nuisance
and negligence should be modified to cover
damages done by air, water, and noise pollution.
We support the development of an objective system
of law defining individual property rights to air
and water. We believe that ambiguities regarding
these rights (e.g., the concept of "public
property") are a primary cause of our
deteriorating environment.
Consumer Protection We support strong and
effective laws against fraud and
misrepresentation. We oppose all regulations
which dictate to consumers, impose prices, define
standards for products, or otherwise restrict
free choice. We oppose so-called "consumer
protection" legislation which restricts
voluntary trade, and limits the ability of
injured parties to sue.
Procreation We call for an end to all government
subsidies for child bearing, and an end to any
provision of tax-supported services for children.
We oppose any government intervention in the
private or commercial dissemination of
contraception information or of supplies used for
voluntary contraception. We oppose all coercive
measures to control population growth.
Education We support the repeal of compulsory
education laws, and the elimination of government
operation, regulation, and subsidy of educational
institutions. We support the repeal of all taxes
on both profit-seeking and non-profit voluntary
schools.
Unemployment We support the repeal of all laws
which impede the ability of any person to find
employment, including but not limited to: minimum
wage laws, so-called "protective"
labour legislation, government restrictions on
the establishment of voluntary day-care centres,
mandatory management-labour relations, and
licensing requirements.
Poverty and Welfare The welfare state, supposedly
designed to aid the poor, is a growing and
parasitic burden on all productive working
people, and injures rather than benefits the poor
themselves. We propose the elimination of all
government involvement in welfare and relief
programs. Any aid to the poor should be conducted
on a voluntary basis.
Health Care The only effective way to stop the
deterioration of health care services we are
experiencing is to have all medical and health
plans open to competition on the free market.
Therefore we support:
an end to all compulsory or tax-supported
health-insurance plans;
the right of all individuals to contract
freely with health care practitioners of
their choice;
the right of doctors and other
professionals to join in any voluntary
associations, the rights of associations
to set standards for their members, and
an end to government interference in this
area (doctors and other health care
professionals should be free to work
without licensing from the government);
the repeal of all laws limiting the
liability of doctors in cases of
malpractice; and
the repeal of all laws forcing any
individual to submit to testing,
treatment, or the administration of drugs
against his or her will.
Canada Pension Plan We call for the repeal of the
fraudulent, virtually bankrupt, and increasingly
inadequate and oppressive Canada Pension Plan.
Pending such repeal, participation in the Plan
should be made voluntary. We advocate that
existing obligations of the Plan be honoured to
whatever degree is possible without violating
individual rights.
Native Autonomy We call for the honouring of all
just claims of native people to land, property,
and autonomy. Specifically, we seek:
an end to transfer payments to native
individuals, and their replacement with a
lump- sum transfer of federal land;
an end to all intervention by the
Government of Canada into the use of
native land, and an end to the Department
of Indian and Northern Affairs;
the repeal of the Indian Act; and
the granting of full Canadian citizenship
to all willing native individuals.
National Parks There is no reason for the
government to subsidize the leisure activities of
some of its citizens at the expense of others. We
call for the operation of all National Parks on a
self-sufficient basis, pending their sale to
private interests.