Gordon O'Connor's Political Beliefs:

Canadians have a right to expect their elected officials to make policy decisions that are based on sound values and principles - not on political expediency or pressure from special interest groups.

I accept and support the 19 Founding Principles of the Conservative Party of Canada as outlined in the Agreement in Principle dated 15 October 2003. As well, I offer the following as some of my key beliefs that constitute my political philosophy, which underlie my thinking on various policy issues.

ABOUT THE ROLE OF GOVERNMENT

(A) Governments should strive to balance individual rights & freedoms with citizen obligations.

(B) The federal government should limit itself to its responsibilities under the Constitution and not interfere in provincial jurisdictions. This would help to avoid conflict, waste, overlap and unnecessary taxes.

(C) Government should be no larger than necessary to provide the services they are mandated to deliver.

(D) Governments have a responsibility to encourage and foster public participation in the democratic process. If the public becomes disengaged, uninterested or sceptical about their ability to participate in and influence government decision-making, governments should attempt to address their concerns by making meaningful and effective changes.

(E) At the federal level, government and courts must provide services in French and English to ensure that unilingual English and French Canadians have full access. The application of the bilingual policy in terms of federal employment should be fair and workable.

(F) The right to own property should be written in the Constitution. No government should have the authority to expropriate private property or to impose regulations that impact an individual's property, without just compensation.

ABOUT THE PRIVILEGES, RIGHTS & RESPONSIBILITIES OF CITIZENSHIP

(G) I want Canada to be a society of free and responsible citizens who strive to achieve their potential regardless of who they are.

(H) The family unit is the building block of society.

(I) I believe in self-reliance. If you have a problem, try to solve it yourself. If you can't solve it, seek help from your family and friends. If it is beyond their capability, then and only then, turn to the government for help.

(J) It is our moral and citizenship responsibility to protect families and individuals who cannot provide for themselves because they are sick or infirm or incapable of being employed.

(K) All people regardless of gender, race, ethnic group, age or physical impediments should be treated as equal under the law and as much as possible have access to the opportunities of our society. That is, there should be no artificial impediments for any individual to progress in society.

(L) I believe in meritocracy. Success in our society should be based upon a person's skills, talents and hard work.

(M) Adults are responsible for their actions and cannot avoid responsibility by blaming others in society for their misdeeds.

(N) I believe in forgiveness; but if you do the crime you do the time.

(O) Because of a low birth rate, Canada needs substantial immigration from all over the world to guarantee an improving standard of living. However, the level of immigration should be based in the first instance on Canada's need for skills and our ability to absorb new citizens into our infrastructure. New immigrants who have needed skills should not be prevented from practicing their profession by artificial barriers.

(P) Citizens should take seriously their right to participate in the democratic process by becoming informed and speaking out about issues that concern them, and by exercising their right to vote in elections.