Canadian Action Party

Despite the fact that until the last two years or so, I was a supporter of the socialist New Democratic Party, I have been finding myself less willing to support their policies as I learn more about the message of freedom and real liberty that Dr. Ron Paul espouses. One of the things that I have always disliked about the NDP is their willingness to cater to special interests, which is contrary to the message of freedom and liberty for ALL Canadians, including those of us born into the so called "privileged majority". The automatic catering to minorities and women in particular is a bothersome, because I have come to reject anything that might separate people or categorize people based on anything other than merit, but I always admired the NDP's tenacity for defending the interests of the working people, and for rejecting the neo-conservative policies of the Harper government and the cozying up towards Washington of the previous Liberal regime (although Jean Chretien will always have my admiration for rejecting Canadian involvement in Iraq). The NDP and their leader Jack Layton should be commended for their tough stance against the occupation of Afghanistan, and when I voted for them it was always a 'lesser of evils' vote. The NDP support of federal gun control, which I am firmly against, has been the straw that broke the camels back.

I have never been what one would call a socialist, and in my younger days I was what you might call a "market liberal", but my recent outlook has me interested in libertarianism. I still cannot bring myself to support economic libertarianism, as it still feels to harsh and draconian for me to reject the notion that all Canadians should have access to health care, but on the flip side of the coin, my recent readings, and in particular the run for Presidency of Dr. Ron Paul, has led me towards the belief that the more government involvement we have in our lives, the less free we are going to be, no matter which party is in power. Governments of the 20th and 21st century have moved away from being servants of the people and towards being servants of special interests and the military industrial corporate complex.

The day may yet come where I become a full fledged libertarian, but for now I have discovered a party that I may be able to support in upcoming federal elections.

I am not a member or official supporter, but the Canadian Action Party intrigues me very much.
Here is where they stand on a number of issues:

-an immediate withdrawal of our troops from Afghanistan
-a stop to investment of Canada Pension Plan funds in companies that manufacture 33 of the weapons used in the War against Iraq
-an end to government contracts to military companies involved in missile defense, land mines and weapons containing depleted uranium
-the removal of Canadian war planners from the Bi-national Planning Group and NORTHCOM
-Royal Commission to Investigate 911, NAU and NAFTA. CAP calls for an immediate moratorium on all Canadian anti-terrorist legislation pending the results of this Royal Commission.
-The Canadian Action Party supports international and humanitarian law, including the Geneva Conventions and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. We will support the international campaign of boycott, divestment and sanctions until Israel demolishes the Apartheid Wall, compensates those injured by the wall, ceases its occupation of the West Bank and Gaza and complies with the precepts of international law, including the right of Palestinian refugees to return to their homes and properties as stipulated in UN resolution 194, equality under the law. There can be no peace for Israel without justice for Palestine. The global campaign of boycotts, divestment and sanctions against apartheid Israel has gained international momentum, including trade unions, church groups, political parties, Jewish peace and human rights groups.
-Would repeal Bill C-68 so that it would no longer be necessary to register rifles and shotguns. As we suspected, registration of shotguns or rifles does little to decrease crime or prevent loss of life. Firearm Acquisition Certificates would, of course, still be required to prevent angry or unstable persons from buying firearms.
-Returning to the Bank of Canada for a minimum of 50% of Government-created money (GCM) is essential to maintaining our sovereignty (our monetary system must not be in the complete control of the private bankers.)

I find myself in agreement with many of these policies, and the Canadian Action Party may very well have found themselves a supporter in the next Federal election.
For more information about their policies, go here.