In his first major policy announcement, the NDP leadership candidate outlines proposal to break up monopolies and make life more affordable for Canadians
(VANCOUVER, BC–UNCEDED xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (MUSQUEAM), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (SQUAMISH) AND səlilwətaɬ (TSLEIL-WAUTUTH) TERRITORIES)—In the first of a series of policy announcements, NDP leadership candidate Avi Lewis has laid out a plan for new public options that will break the power of corporate monopolies, lower costs for families, and create thousands of good union jobs.
“It’s a moral outrage that so many people in Canada can’t afford the basics of a dignified life at a time when corporate profits are only skyrocketing,” said Avi Lewis. “When people are being gouged at the checkout aisle, on their phone bills, and in their rents, it’s clear that the market is failing.”
Lewis is proposing “a new generation of public options” in key sectors—including groceries, telecoms, and housing—to lower prices, improve services, and break the stranglehold of corporate monopolies over the economy.
The plan builds on the success of NDP governments in building new public institutions to make life more affordable, like Manitoba’s public auto insurance, BC’s agricultural land reserve, and Saskatchewan’s publicly-owned SaskTel.
“People know the system is rigged against them. They also know that public solutions work, and that when we build them, they last,” said Lewis. “This campaign is about restoring what has been taken, building the next generation of public solutions, and putting people back in control of their lives.”
Lewis’ plan includes:
- A public option for groceries:
A low-cost alternative to the big grocery chains, using a high-volume, warehouse-style model supported by local and regional food hubs, which could lower grocery prices by 30 to 40 per cent - A network of public telecom providers:
Universal, affordable, high-speed connectivity—including in rural, remote and Indigenous communities—modeled on the success of SaskTel - Building a million public homes:
A public builder to deliver one million social, co-op, non-profit and supportive homes within five years, using modular, scalable construction and federal lands where appropriate - Postal banking:
Banking services through the post office, like in France and Italy, to ensure everyone has access to affordable accounts, financial services and loans, and to break the payday lenders’ monopoly - A public pharmaceutical manufacturer:
Re-establishing Connaught Labs, the world-renowned public pharmaceutical company that was dismantled under Brian Mulroney, to strengthen domestic vaccine and pharmaceutical production, reduce dependence on multinational pharma, and ensure reliable access to affordable medicines
The full policy is available on the campaign’s website. More policy announcements will be released over the coming weeks.