Statement of
Principles of the Libertarian Party of Canada
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, and the only
moral justification for, government.
The only proper
functions of government, whose powers must be constitutionally limited
are as follows: 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 in a free market.
Libertarian Party of
Canada Platform -
May 15, 2007
1.
Government
Instead of government
dominating the lives of Canadians through taxes and regulations, the
Libertarian Party of Canada believes that Canadians should be free to
run their own lives. Government should act only as our servant and never
as our master.
We believe in a
just, voluntary society that does not use government power to confiscate
property or interfere with peaceful activities.
Government should
exist only to provide a framework that defends individual rights.
We believe that
Canada needs a major reduction in the size and power of government.
2.
Taxation
Ultimately, our
goal is a society that moves away from coercive taxation completely
to a system of fees for services. We want Canadians to pay only for
the services they use and agree to.
We would abolish
the Goods and Services Tax, which is an intrusive burden on consumers
and business owners who are forced to collect it.
We would end payroll
deductions for personal income tax.
We would seek to
eliminate or substantially reduce personal income tax and convert it
to a fees for service system.
We would seek to
eliminate or substantially reduce corporate income tax.
We would seek to
eliminate excise taxes on gasoline and other goods.
Provinces should
raise their taxes independently.
3.
Property Rights
We support an amendment
to the Charter of Rights that would protect property rights against
expropriation and interference by governments. We also support legislation
or court decisions to the same effect.
We would encourage
challenges to property tax in the courts based on the principle of property
rights.
We would challenge
coercive taxation based on the same principle of property rights.
4.
The Environment
We blame pollution
problems on decades of government central planning and legislation which
has favoured the convenience of polluters above the traditional common
law rights of property owners.
No one has the right to violate the property rights of others by pollution, and the legal system should effectively protect persons and property from unwanted air and water pollution.
At the same time,
each person should be free to take their own risks, set the rules for
their property and make agreements with others concerning their environment.
Dealing with the
issue of property rights and the environment is a critical issue for
Canadians in the face of new sources of potential contamination from
advanced technologies.
We need a system
that addresses the power imbalance between a centrally planned society
and individuals. We need a system that empowers individuals to defend
their lives, health, and property.
Legislated planning
by government prevents Canadians from managing their own lives.
A property-rights
oriented system would fairly allocate the costs of waste and pollution.
Public
and Private Ownership of Resources
The other aspect
of the pollution problem is government ownership of land, water and
other resources. Private owners have an interest in preserving the value
of their investment, but the evidence shows that governments by their
nature are poor stewards of resources and have a lack of interest in
preventing mismanagement of resources. For example, government management
of the fisheries has proven to be a disaster. This is a clear example
where the concept of property rights needs to be applied to a resource.
In regard to unowned
resources, we support the concept of justly acquired property rights
through the homestead principle. The original owners of resources should
be the ones who first "mix their labour" with these resources
as explained by John Locke.
We would support
a just and fair transfer of federal government land to all Canadian
taxpayers and First Nations residents based on use or by lot. This would
be in exchange for a nominal fee that would allow the national debt
to be paid. Once Canadians owned the title to an area of land or other
resource, they would then be free to sell or rent access on the free
market.
Climate
Change and Freedom
We reject the attempted
power-grab by bureaucrats in the name of global-warming fear-mongering.
We would not support
Kyoto or any similar agreement.
We question the
assertion that increased levels of human-produced carbon dioxide - non-polluting
in every respect and essential for plant life - is responsible for an
increase in global temperatures - a gas that we produce when we heat
our homes, fuel our vehicles and when we breathe.
We question the
actual effectiveness of proposed solutions in achieving the presumed
goal of reducing global warming.
Above all, we question
the right of any authority to mandate carbon output and to impose "solutions"
that will make Canadians poorer and limit their choices.
We reject this ideology
that hates economic freedom and the resulting technologies that protect
us from the disease and suffering that we would otherwise have to endure
in a state of nature. Let us all weigh the evidence for ourselves and
make our own decisions!
5.
Free Trade and Respect for Rights
We support the opening
up of trade with the whole world - Europe, Africa, Asia, Americas -
so that all Canadians can do business with whomever they like - to the
mutual benefit of everyone involved.
We reject meddling
in the affairs of other nations through government lending and the resulting
impositions that go with the conditions of debt forgiveness.
We do not condone
or defend any abuse of natural rights by corporations that collude with
foreign governments, who violate the natural rights of first-users of
land - rightful property owners as opposed to government-approved owners.
We do not agree
with imposing centrally planned labour and environmental regulations
or market reforms on any nation, as desirable as these may be.
We do not accept
trade agreements as substitutes for actual free trade which builds mutual
understanding and prosperity.
6.
Canadian Sovereignty
Canada should be
politically and militarily independent.
We support Canada's
sovereignty and reject the current Security and Prosperity Partnership
(SPP) negotiations for integrating North American security and infrastructure,
especially since these negotiations have proceeded without the scrutiny
of the public and Parliament.
Any point of negotiation
in an international treaty that interferes with the lives and property
of Canadians should be subject to challenge by citizens in Parliament
or in court.
Talk about democratic
reform is empty as long as governments lock us into international treaties
that interfere with the democratic decision-making processes of Canadians.
International Government
We also favour withdrawal
from organizations such as the World Bank and International Monetary
Fund.
We reject interference
from the United Nations and other instruments of global government which
undermine the efforts of Canadians who seek to reform their own society.
Extradition Treaties
and Canadian Law
Extradition treaties
should only apply to acts considered crimes under Canadian law. Victimless
"crimes" should not be covered by extradition treaties.
7.
Defence and Foreign Policy
Libertarian defence
and foreign policy is unique. We support a policy of non-intervention
in the affairs of other nations, a policy that would reduce the risk
of terrorist attacks on Canadians.
Canada should build
peaceful relations with all nations and refrain from supporting policies
of interference that provoke conflict.
The only justification
for the use of Canada's military is to defend the rights of Canadians
from clear foreign aggression and invasion, and therefore to defend
our borders, coastlines and airspace.
Canada's defences
can be strengthened through voluntary means in proportion to the needs
of Canadians. Conscription is not acceptable, but increasing the voluntary
participation of citizens in their own defence is one way of dealing
with Canada's security requirements.
Military power should
never be used without regard for individual rights - for its impact
on lives, homes and infrastructure. War should be avoided for these
reasons.
Armed Forces members
should not have to face the risk of death and terrible injuries for
the sake of unnecessary foreign wars.
War also tends to
lead to an increase in government powers domestically and attacks on
economic and civil liberties.
We oppose an escalation
of current conflicts in the Middle East.
Response to Terrorism
In the case of terrorism
against Canadians by foreign nationals, negotiation with foreign governments
and police services should be the first choice in bringing individuals
to justice rather than military force.
Justifications for
War
We reject the use
of war and bombing campaigns either for humanitarian reasons or for
control of resources.
We reject the use
of the military for nation-building.
To reduce the possibility
of foreign wars, all Members of Parliament should be responsible for
ensuring that war justifications are true. Any M.P. or government employee
knowingly making fraudulent statements to justify war should be charged
with an offence.
Nuclear Proliferation
The development
of nuclear weapons in another nation for their defence is not a justification
for war, although it should be discouraged through diplomacy.
We believe it is
important for the major powers to reduce their nuclear weaponry by mutual
negotiation since nuclear weapons are a major threat to human life.
We also do not agree
to the placing of advanced weapons in orbit - especially by a power
monopoly - because of the danger of those weapons being used against
peoples who are seeking their independence and self-determination.
Military Alliances
Canada should become
more independent militarily and remove itself from the NATO bureaucracy.
Membership in NATO
combined with the doctrine of "collective security" clearly
endangers Canada's peace as the possibility of new conflicts emerge.
Foreign
Despots and Conflicts
As for foreign dictatorships,
the Canadian government should attempt to neither interfere with the
internal affairs of nations, nor condone dictatorships.
We should respect
the independence of foreign peoples and their right to self-determination.
The Canadian government
should not interfere with internal rebellions when foreign peoples are
trying to fight for their freedom against oppressors or invaders, nor
make any effort to disarm them or cut off supplies, nor prevent Canadians
from becoming involved as private citizens.
8.Terrorism
and Civil Liberties
Treatment
of Alleged Terrorists and Foreign Combatants
Neither prisoners
apprehended by Canada's criminal justice system nor prisoners captured
in battle shall be subject to cruel abuse, but shall be treated humanely
according to Canada's highest classical liberal traditions.
In the case of Prisoners
of War, they shall be treated according to the Geneva Conventions
and released when hostilities have ceased or the danger has subsided.
If a person under
suspicion has been charged with an offense, he/she shall receive a fair
trial. Otherwise, he/she shall be released or released conditionally.
All M.P.'s are responsible
for reviewing military alliances and security agreements with nations
who use torture or policies of "rendition" by which they are
turning over suspects to other nations for torture.
Due Process Rights
We question the
need for an anti-terrorism law and security certificates.
Habeas Corpus
is one of Canada's oldest and most important safeguards to freedom.
All accused individuals should always be brought before a judge and
the reasons presented publicly to justify their detention.
We reject the use
of secret trials and imprisonment.
Suspects should
be quickly brought to trial, and nobody shall be detained indefinitely
without being convicted in court. There is either evidence of threats
to harm others or there is no basis for the detention of suspects.
Emergency Measures
and Medical Treatment
We oppose mandatory
vaccinations and forced medical treatment against the wishes of the
individual.
In times of epidemics,
voluntary quarantine and voluntary cooperation should be the rule, although
restraining an infectious person might be justifiable if they are directly
threatening others' safety.
In the case of emergencies
in general, including natural or man-made disasters, government agencies
may attempt to offer assistance, but evacuation should always be voluntary
and individual rights must be respected at all times.
9.
Justice
We support fundamental
reforms to Canada's justice system. The focus should not be on society
or the State but on defending individual rights, on justice for the
victim, on making right what harm has been done to persons victimized
by criminal acts.
In this respect,
the prosecutorial function in courts should not be reserved to Crown
Attorneys but should be made available to any private citizen.
Victimless
"Crimes"
A crime is not truly
a crime if it does not involve harm against another person - murder,
assault, theft, fraud or death threats.
We would remove
all victimless "crimes" from the Criminal Code.
Just as alcohol
prohibition was a destructive failure and led to violence, drug prohibition
only succeeds in driving up the price of drugs and the resulting profits
for violent criminal gangs.
The illegality of
drugs creates desperation and makes criminals out of non-criminals,
burdening the Canadian justice system and making Canadians less safe
and subject to a greater likelihood of intrusive policing.
Personal lifestyle
habits should be a matter of choice and personal responsibility.
We would seek diplomatic
understanding with foreign governments in order to de-escalate the War
on Drugs.
If the Criminal
Code was reformed by removing victimless crimes, police resources would
be focused on capturing those who are guilty of violating individual
rights. For example, police resources should be used to combat sex-slavery.
Police resources
should be used to protect children against violently or sexually abusive
adults, but they should do this only in the context of due process and
with consideration of the child's wishes concerning their new home.
Penalties
Punishment should
be strictly proportional to the severity of the offence, so we object
to blanket "tough on crime" approaches that violate basic
ideas of natural justice.
We also object to
light sentencing and early parole for real criminals.
Those who are convicted
of non-violent crimes may not benefit anyone by being in prison. With
or without prison, they should be required to pay adequate restitution
to their victims.
Those convicted
of violent crimes belong in prison, and should be required as much as
possible to make restitution to their victims or their victims' families
and to pay for their residence.
There should be
indefinite sentences for those convicted of grievous crimes of violence.
Courts
and Police
Every prisoner -
bearing in mind Canada's history of wrongful convictions - should be
protected by the right of appeal, and officials responsible for wrongful
convictions should be held accountable.
To the same degree,
families of victims should be able to bring their grievances to court
in an efficient manner.
Judges and police
need to be fully accountable and responsive to the people they serve.
If it is necessary
to make courts competitive in order to orient them towards accountability,
then ways should be considered of doing this. Possibilities include
opening new federal courts to compete with provincial courts (which
prosecute most Criminal Code offences), or allowing victims and defendants
to select the provincial court system they feel is more just.
Judges' decisions
should always be open to challenge by members of the public through
other courts, by juries or by Parliament.
In the same way,
procedures need to be set so that Members of Parliament can be compelled
by members of the public and courts to review their legislation and
decisions.
We value openness
and truth in justice. Therefore, courts and the government should not
have the right to interfere with freedom of speech or the freedom of
the media.
The publication
of relevant information and evidence should never be banned, including
the identities of young offenders.
If police obtain
evidence by violating rights, then they should be dismissed and held
accountable by the legal system.
We consider the
right to trial by jury to be an important check on the power of judges
and on the law itself.
10.
Independence from Government
We take the freedoms
specified in the Charter very seriously (conscience, religion, thought,
belief, opinion, expression, press, peaceful assembly, association).
But we also recognize
rights and freedoms as inherent to humanity and existing independently
of government legislation and constitutions.
Outside the issue
of criminal abuse, we believe it is critical that institutions such
as the family, churches, businesses, private schools and other private
associations should be allowed to function independently and without
government interference. Tax rules and government subsidies should not
be used to influence these groups.
Government is our
servant and not our master. It should not be allowed to dominate our
culture and determine every aspect of Canadian society.
We reject government
interference with the responsibilities of families through child care
subsidies and policies. We reject all attempts to socially engineer
how families function.
We reject government
interference in lifestyle choices concerning smoking, diet and health
in general.
With respect to
same-sex marriage, we recommend that the government removes itself from
the issue of marriage altogether. Individuals and groups in society
decide their own spiritual and social beliefs and do not need the government
to determine whether they are married or not.
We believe that
government welfare is destructive to individuals who become dependent
on it.
11.
Guns and Self-Defence Rights
The government's
role should be to assist ordinary people in defending themselves, not
to leave them defenceless to criminals and crazed gunmen.
We support the rights
of ordinary citizens to carry firearms for self-defence and recreational
purposes.
Police who carry
guns should not have more rights than the public they serve. Neither
should criminals be the only members of the public who carry guns.
We would repeal
gun registration laws, which are blatant attempts to supervise and control
members of the public - to whom the government is only a servant.
Those who use guns
in violent crimes should be punished severely, but those who use guns
to defend their lives and to deter aggressive criminals should never
be punished for a proportional response.
12.
Political Process and Political Speech
We uphold freedom
of political speech and we reject the terrible violations of this principle
that Canadian ruling parties impose on the people.
We support allowing
individuals to donate whatever they like to political parties.
And we oppose the
atrocity of spending restrictions on "third party" advocate
organizations during elections.
We oppose limits
on political advertising and broadcasting.
We support restrictions
on elected officials and government employees, but oppose restrictions
on political parties, especially onerous reporting requirements that
violate the privacy of donors.
We reject any move
to electronic voting considering the abuses that have been reported.
We support a NOTA
option (none of the above) on ballots.
With respect to
ethics in government, we include raising taxes and placing burdensome
restrictions on people as abuses of power and ethical violations.
We support greater
independence for Members of Parliament, but greater accountability through
the right of citizens to recall their MPs for unethical behaviour.
We support the right
of citizens to defend individual rights and challenge Parliament through
citizens' initiatives and referenda.
13.
Freedom of Speech
We support total
freedom of speech, conscience and opinion - with the exception of threats
of violence.
We oppose legislation
and international agreements that interfere with speech and which criminalize
opinions, however incorrect or misguided those opinions may be.
We reject the culture
of control that tramples Canada's heritage of free speech.
We reject government
regulation of broadcasting along with its power to license stations.
As with other resources,
use of the airwaves should be based on first-use and should be traded
on the free market as private property.
We reject cultural
protectionism and other government efforts to regulate content.
Internet
Freedom
We will defend against
all attacks on Internet freedom, for example legislation that requires
Internet Service Providers to install "wire-tapping" technology,
legislation that targets political advocacy, legislation that attempts
to tax the Internet, or other requirements or mandates to use particular
communications or encryption standards.
We call on Canadians
to exert pressure on government, Internet service providers, telecommunications
companies, universities and other institutions to maintain Internet
freedom.
14.
Intellectual Property
We support a moderate
approach to patents and copyrights and urge a careful review of existing
and proposed legislation and international agreements, and the ethical
issues and the consequences involved.
Intellectual property
laws should never violate the principles of basic justice and become
instruments of oppression.
Penalties for Intellectual
Property offences should never be out of proportion to the offence,
and should be left for the courts to determine.
Canadians should
develop their own approach to Intellectual Property independently of
foreign nations.
Canada should not
seek to impose its own Intellectual Property laws on other nations except
by representation in foreign courts, just as Canadian courts should
be open to foreign complaints.
Courts and juries
should decide penalties and their decisions should help develop Intellectual
Property law.
In the case of simultaneous
inventions, it's not clear that monopoly protection should be granted
to only one person or business.
Extreme patent developments
should be open to question and challenges, such as patenting existing
processes, genetically modified life-forms or existing life forms.
Unwanted genetically
modified organisms or other high-tech contamination of private property,
including crops or livestock, must be treated as a trespass, and the
person or organization spreading the contaminating substance should
be liable to penalties rather than the person receiving the contamination.
15.
Surveillance Society
We reject the concept
of the surveillance society as another symptom of the false belief that
government owns the lives of Canadians, that their lives are not their
own.
The surveillance
society is made more likely by recent developments in technology. As
an example, we reject any legal requirements that mandate the installation
of any kind of monitoring devices in cars or other products.
We reject mandatory
national ID's or imposed standards for biometrics that require a person
to submit personal information such as fingerprints or retina scans
in order to obtain a driver's license.
We reject any other
imposed government standard that limits or licenses the ability of people
to travel freely within Canada and participate in the economy.
We would abolish
the Social Insurance Number and all requirements for its use.
In a free society,
nobody should be required to surrender data of any kind except what
is necessary by mutual consent for trade between individuals.
For government services,
citizens and immigrants can be supplied with receipts for paid taxes
or fees. A temporary pass-code or private account number can identify
the individual. The identification process in every case should be left
open to negotiation.
No laws shall mandate
the silencing of Internet service providers, telecommunications companies,
libraries or other organizations or citizens, that prevent them from
informing their customers of investigations into their records.
We reject government
agencies spying on peaceful citizens in any way. This includes the monitoring
of private communications or restrictions on the use of digital encryption.
We completely reject
the monitoring of financial transactions, which the Canadian government
currently subjects its citizens to. See here.
No internal checkpoints
for travelers will be acceptable, and no requirements by businesses
to report customer information to government agencies will be acceptable.
16.
Borders and Immigration
We believe that
airlines should hire their own security for the safety of their customers.
Government security
and customs agents at airports and borders should be very carefully
trained to respect the rights of travelers.
Borders and coastlines
should be monitored for dangerous persons and cargo, stolen goods and
undeclared weapons.
Only a simple declaration
of identity should be required for entry into Canada under normal circumstances.
Border agents should be equipped to recognize criminals.
Immigrants and refugees
should be admitted freely to Canada but should not be granted government
welfare or the use of government services without payment.
Agents may assist
immigrants and refugees in supplying contact information for private
groups and individuals who are willing to sponsor and assist them.
17.
Free Market
We oppose government
intervention in the free market. We oppose restrictions on trade and
contracts. We oppose government monopolies and marketing boards.
We advocate repeal
of all controls on wages, prices, rents, profits, production, and interest
rates.
Immigration and Employment
In order that immigrants
are not excluded from working in their professions, and so that no Canadian
is excluded from the economy, we will advocate for the end of monopoly
certification agencies and government licensing for jobs and professions.
Competing standard-setting
associations for medical and other professions should be allowed to
form so that consumers are aware of professional qualifications.
Consumers would
still be protected from fraud, but deregulating our society in this
way would allow for greater innovation and prosperity.
Fiat Currency and
Central Banking
We oppose 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.
Health Care
Health Care is a
provincial responsibility and we would repeal the Canada Health Act.
There should be no laws preventing individuals or groups from obtaining
health insurance from private organizations. This is the only effective
way to stop the deterioration of health care services.
Therefore we support
an end to all compulsory or tax-supported health-insurance plans, and
the right of individuals to contract freely with health care practitioners
of their choice.
Regulation of Consumer
Products
We support voluntary
free market regulation by consumer information agencies rather than
by imposed government regulations.
We support the freedom
of consumers to access new pharmaceutical products or alternative therapies.
Companies should
never be shielded from charges of fraud or misrepresentation or from
legal liability for damages to customers and employees except by mutually
agreed upon contracts.
We believe that
consumers need to empower themselves, rely less on centralized government
and push for more information and direct accountability from food producers
and product manufacturers using free market organizations and an effective
court system.
Subsidies and Privileges
We reject government
tax-funded subsidies of all kinds - whether to industry, education,
science, the arts or to individuals.
We reject government-granted
privileges that allow organizations to produce unwanted pollution or
otherwise violate individual rights.
