NDP platform pledges 'immediate action'

NDP Leader Jack Layton unveils his party platform Sunday in Toronto, just days before the televised leaders debates.

CBC:

The NDP says it would take "immediate action" in five key areas within 100 days of the election, as part of a broader platform aimed at balancing the books by 2014-2015 without major service cuts.

The platform would balance the budget by hiking corporate tax rates to 19.5 per cent, which is estimated to put nearly $10 billion into government coffers by 2014-15. The party would also raise revenue by ending fossil fuel subsidies and saving on crime legislation.

The party also pledged to crack down on offshore tax havens, a move it says could generate more than $3 billion per year by 2014-15.

The platform outlined five "practical" first steps, many of which were announced earlier in the campaign, including:

• Hiring more doctors and nurses.

• Working with the provinces to strengthen the pension systems, with the eventual goal of doubling benefits.

• Giving small businesses a tax cut and introducing targeted job-creation tax credits.

• Capping credit card fees at prime plus 5 per cent, while taking federal sales tax off home heating.

Working to "fix" Ottawa to stop scandals and encourage co-operation between parties.

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