6 THE WESTERN CANADIAN LUMBER WORKER FROM PAGE FIVE tific and technological resources and without the power to make key economic decisions for our- selves. Economic Independence for Canada New Democrats have become convinced that recovering our economic independence is a cru- cial step in securing our future prosperity. This is not a matter of narrow nationalism nor does it hinge merely on the foreign or domestic owner- ship of our industry and commerce. It does mean that Canadians must be free to plan and create the kind of economy that is suited to our needs. A New Democratic government will seek eco- nomic independence for Canada by Increasing the democratic control of our eco- nomic activity by increased government par- ticipation in appropriate phases of our in- dustrial and commercial life and by replacing the Economie Council by a properly de- signed economic and social planning organiza- tion, involving federal and provincial govern- ments. Establishing a Canadian Capital Resources fund (CCRF) controlled by the government, mobilizing Canadian capital for development and research and keeping Canadian savings at home. In addition to providing a logical place for the investments of corporations and insur- ance companies, the Fund would attract some of the savings now going to private pension plans, by selling group and individual annuities. e The capital resources of the Fund would be used for investments necessary to the overall development of our economy. e Part of the Fund would be used in universities and corporations and in financing and develop- ing those innovations which will allow our industry to specialize and compete in world markets. Science and Technology Further advances in the Canadian economy and in the quality of the life of our people depend on the progress of science and technology. Yet, partly as a consequence of our branch-plant econ- omy and partly because of the indifference of our own Canadian government and industry, our in- vestment in research and development has been proportionately smaller than that of any other advanced industrial state. In addition to providing high quality scientific education, we must provide centres where grad- uates can use their knowledge and training and which can be the focal points of new science- based industries which must become the basis of - our industrial growth. An NDP government will establish a Depart- ment of Science and Technology with the task of: e Establishing scientific-technological research centres in co-operation with universities and industry to stimulate developments i in fields of social concern or economic importance. Creating a Canadian Research and Develop- ment Corporation to invest in, or develop, promising new inventions and industrial pro- cesses. In some cases, new crown corporations will be founded to use the new techniques or BETTER DEAL FOR FARMERS to produce and market new products, on the model of Atomic Energy of Canada Limited. e Keeping in touch with research and develop- ment in Canada, determining national scien- tific priorities and encouraging and co-ordi- nating theoretical and applied research in our universities and research organizations. Pollution and Conservation A problem of increasing concern to Canadians _ and of vital importance to future generations is the frightening rate at which our air, water and soil have become polluted. Almost too late, we have realized the extent of the danger to our resources. Pollution and the conservation of our re- sources are problems which concern all levels of Canadian government. A federal New Democratic government will: e Work with the provinces to establish pollution standards and controls, giving urgent priority POLLUTION PROTECTION to existing areas of serious industrial pollution. e Make research into pollution and its conse- quences a high priority in its expanded scien- tific research program. © Undertake a complete inventory of our water resources and make plans for future diversions to supply areas of: water deficiency within Canada. Refrain from any policy of water export until Canada’s own long-term needs and resources have been balanced. Ill. Providing Services for a Modern Community In a complex industrial society, people must turn to government to provide them with a broad range of community services and to guarantee that the necessities of life like food and shelter will be available at prices we can afford. Entangled in their conservatism, Canadian governments have been slow to assume these re- sponsibilities and faltering in carrying them out. New Democratic government will take office with a long agenda of community needs to fulfill. In Canada’s federal system, most of the serv- ices which affect the quality of our daily lives are the direct responsibility of provincial govern- ments. There are, however, many fields in which the central government must give leadership. It is an obligation which arises from its duty to pro- vide all Canadians with a fair share of opportun- ity and social justice wherever they may live in our country. One of the first jobs of an NDP government in Ottawa will be to tackle Canada’s housing crisis. When a quarter of our people live in sub-standard housing and when young families cannot find a decent place to live, it is a national disgrace that housing construction should actually have slowed | down For twenty years, the shelter needs of low- income families and the aged have been almost totally neglected by all levels of government, while the only serious federal housing program was largely devoted to serving the needs of those with upper and middle-level incomes. To New Democrats, housing is a basi¢ social service, not a matter to be left to the vagaries of the market. Its financing is an urgent priority, not an easy source of revenue or a fiscal tap to turned off and on at the government’s whim. An NDP government will create a federal Department of Housing and Urban Development, ven closely with the provinces, it would: Provide generous financial assistance to meet the housing crisis—100% of the cost of land - assembly and servicing, 100% of the cost of public housing and 75% of the cost of rent subsidies. Bring down the cost of mortgage money by setting a subsidized ceiling for co-operative housing, homes for low-income families and for the rehabilitation of present housing. Support the principle of integrated commun- ity development so that transportation, schools, recreation and shopping facilities are devel- oped together with new and renewed housing. e Encourage the development of New Towns in areas of urban congestion. A Program for Consumers Canadians expect their government to protect them in their role as consumers, having learned from experience that the market does not auto- matically serve their needs and wants. Extrava- gant advertising, promotional and packaging ex- penditures add to living costs without creating product improvement or consumer enlightenment. New Democrats will establish a government department nae ee concerned with working: for the consumer. It w. e Test consumer products and publicize the re- sults. © Enforce honest labeling and packaging regu- lations. e Create a Prices Review Board to investigate unjustified price increases and publicize its findings. Consumers have already banded together to help themselves in organizations such as Co- operates Credit Unions and Caisses Populaires. A New Democratic government would help these movements by allowing incorporation of federal co-operatives and of a Central Credit Society with access to the Bank of Canada. The Parliamentary Committee on Consumer Credit showed the need for low-cost credit for low-income families. In addition to meeting that need an NDP government will: Require full disclosure of the cost of credit. e Enforce reasonable interest ceilings on con- — sumer loans. Z Protect consumers from unethical and un- conscionable sales practices. There is a special need to protect the public in the field of drugs. An NDP government will licence drug manufacturers, and, if necessary, produce drugs under public auspices. It would encourage the sale of drugs under their generic names and provide more means to test drugs be- fore they reach the market. The Work Force Working Canadians today are, on the average, younger, better educated and more highly skilled Pe . a