Candidates in the NDP leadership race — rightfully — have had a good debate on anti-poverty and fair taxation policy.

But social democracy isn’t capitalism and free markets with a redistributive tax policy wrap-around.

It’s also about creating jobs, paycheques and bottom-up growth using active government policies and investment.

That crucial piece hasn’t had a focus point in the NDP leadership race, until last week, when Quebec MP Guy Caron, an economist before entering politics, released his jobs and growth plan.

A plan like Caron’s, which he says is being “well received” should benefit the NDP politically. Though the libertarian and small government minority won’t agree, most Canadians want Canada-building.

Last election, Justin Trudeau campaigned as a Canada-builder who’d fund infrastructure and boost jobs—and won on that promise. Sure, Trudeau’s infrastructure plan turned into a depressingly familiar Liberal privatization scheme. But that doesn’t diminish Canadians’ desire for a national project that benefits, prepares and builds our country.

Very proud to share my Workers First: 21st Century Jobs and Growth plan. #Ndpldrhttps://t.co/6DDc8gDOHPpic.twitter.com/6gyg4pHBIW — Guy Caron (@GuyCaronNPD) July 26, 2017

Caron believes the global shift to low-carbon energy and increased automation will require an “enormously ambitious and essential project” that restructures our economy to prepare and benefit Canadian workers — not abandon and punish them.

Caron’s “Workers First” plan would complete Canada-wide assessments of the local impacts of a green and automated economy. That data would drive “evidence-based” training and investment decisions. He’d help provinces work with declining industries to identify job-loss trends and plan workers’ training and transition.

He’d give more generous EI access and training for Canadians. He’d also ensure workers get the severances they are owed—again contrasting with Trudeau, who’s been hands-off while 2,900 Sears employees lost their jobs and severances (and maybe their pensions) and executives gave themselves bonuses.

Caron’s plan would add $90 billion of economic investment over 10 years, funded by a 1% corporate profit tax.

To develop renewable energy technologies and production, Caron would put $32 billion toward “research and development and co-ventures” and turn Ottawa into a supportive federal partner for progressive provincial initiatives.

A federal partner would likely be appreciated in provinces like Alberta where NDP Premier Rachel Notley is pushing to eliminate all coal use (currently generating about 55% of Alberta electricity) and reach 30% of electricity from renewable sources by 2030.

Another $30 billion would incentivize retrofits to cut the energy costs of heating and cooling buildings. The remaining $28 billion would go to build urban transit and high-speed inter-city rail. Those plans could make a big difference in urban Canada.

Caron would also boost the federal minimum wage to $15—another contrast with Trudeau—and reduce the workweek to 35 hours, a strategy many European countries have been pursuing through various policies for decades.

But a Canada-building plan like Caron’s isn’t just about economics. Former Saskatchewan NDP premier Roy Romanow believed the art of federal leadership was to “pull together the strings that unite all the pearls”— to provide a Canada-building project that brings provinces together.

That approach created universal health care and public pensions. But it was sidelined by the obsessive Canada-slashing of the Chrétien and Martin governments and the divisive Canada-loathing in the Harper era.

Once again, Caron should be commended for pushing forward important policy ideas. A federal NDP plan to prepare the Canadian economy and partner with like-minded premiers could build an alliance for the real change Canadians thought they were getting last time.