Source : Globe & Mail

Paul Martin was hit with some tough questions during Liberal workshops yesterday. His answers shed some light on policies his government might adopt. Mr. Martin said, among other things:

Air taxes are too high. Although they are likely to come down as the capital costs of enhancing the security system are absorbed, he agrees it is a situation that must be remedied. "This is the kind of issue that we are going to have to deal with," he said.

Access to higher education must be increased. Financial assistance to students should be expanded by reducing the impact of parental income on the availability of funds and reducing interest rates.

The concentration of the ownership of Canadian news media should be addressed. Mr. Martin said the government has a role to play in the content of media and ensuring that Canadian stories are told by Canadian voices. But he would agree with deregulating distribution, a policy that could open the door to increased foreign ownership.

He "personally has wrestled" with the issue of same-sex marriage. The fact that the courts said allowing gay and lesbian unions is a matter of rights has tipped the balance for him "but the issue comes down to, not just what, but how," he said, and the country deserves to debate the merits of all points of view.

Canada should take stronger action to oppose Robert Mugabe's regime in Zimbabwe, which he condemned for violations of human rights.

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