NDP platform promises to reverse cuts, raise corporate taxes

Alberta'sNDPis promising toreverse spending cuts to health care and education while stillbalancingthe province'sbudget in threeyears, according to leader Rachel Notley.

The promises, outlined in the party's platform released Sunday afternoon, will be paid for largely by reintroducing progressive income taxes and increasing thecorporate tax rate.

"All three major partiesrunning in this election agree we should balance the budget in 2017," Notley said Sunday.

"And we all agree this needs to be achieved by changing something. Where we don't agree is on what needs to be changed."

Earlier this week, Wildrose leader Brian Jean said his party would balance the budget by 2017 without tax increases, instead cutting thousands of civil servant jobs and deferring non-necessary infrastructure projects.

Notleyhas previouslysaid herparty would roll back health care cuts made in the Tories' last budget, as well as open 600,000 sq. feet of "empty" hospital space to patients.

Sunday's NDP announcement promised an additional 2,000 long-term care beds over the next four years and a 20-per-cent hike inthe province's mental health budget.The party said it would scrap the Tories' plan to impose ahealth care levy on people with incomes over $50,000 annually.

The platform alsopledges to freeze post-secondary tuition and cut school fees. The plan provides $75 million annually for the next four years to reduce classroom sizes in the province.

'Careful review'ofroyalty rates

Notleyaccused the Tories of having "squandered Alberta's resource wealth" and promised to relyless on exporting raw resources.

The party's plan suggests a "careful review" ofroyalty rates and tax incentives for the energy resource industry. Itsays changes will be made to promote more processing and upgrading within the province. Any additional money raised from higher royalty rates would be redirected to the province's Heritage Fund.

The NDP would also introduce an $89-million "job creation" tax credit that would offer rebates for small businesses who hire new workers.

Despite the increasedspending, Notley said the NDP would not introduce a sales tax. Instead, sheproposed to pay for thepromises by introducing a progressive income tax andincreasing tax rates on those making more than $125,000. The party would also bump up Alberta's corporate tax rate to 12 per cent, similar to tax rates in Saskatchewan and Manitoba.

Between the higher tax rates and better collection, the NDP estimates itcan raise more than $800 million in 2015-2016.

"I say endinggive-awaysto those who need them least and that asking people andcorporationsto contribute based on their ability to pay is the right thing to do," she said.

Progressive Conservative leader Jim Prenticehas repeatedly refused to consider raising corporate taxes, arguing that it would lead to businesses leaving the province and large-scale job losses. Notley disagrees, insisting underher planAlberta would remainan "attractive place" for business.

The platform also includesa ban on corporate and union donations to political parties.