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Cell phone bills

Both the National Post and Reuters have reported the Liberals are planning to crack down on cell phone and internet bills. Details are not known, but Reuters reported it could be a cap on bills or a requirement for major telecom companies to offer access to their infrastructure to smaller companies.

Gun control

Last year, Border Security Minister Bill Blair oversaw consultations on banning handguns in Canada. He has now said that such a ban would be ineffective and expensive (given the required buy-back of existing guns). Instead, the Liberals have floated the possibility of banning more assault-style rifles and empowering cities to implement their own gun ban policies.

Middle class relief

Sources have told the National Post to expect some action for middle class finances — no surprise for a party constantly promising to help “the middle class and those working hard to join it.” Last election, the Liberals promised and delivered an income tax cut paid for by higher taxes on the wealthy. It’s not yet known what the relief will look like this time around.

Photo by - Canada's opposition leader on Sunday, April 7, 2019 revealed PLARS HAGBERG/AFP/Getty Images

The Conservative Party

Heating bills

The Conservatives have promised to remove GST from home heating and energy bills, saving the average Canadian $107 per year — but costing the federal treasury $1.5 billion, according to the Parliamentary Budget Officer. The Conservatives are in a difficult place when it comes to pricey promises, as they also want to get the budget back to balance (the Liberals forecast a $20-billion deficit this year). Leader Andrew Scheer has given himself some room to manoeuvre by saying it will take five years after he’s elected to get to balance.