Early in the new year, each Canadian federal political party should present their suggestions for solving the current Canadian economic crisis.

This would allow Canadians to judge the quality and effectiveness of the parties' thinking.

The suggestions should include three things:

First, a description of what the parties think the current crisis consists of. It will be instructive to read these, no doubt, widely-differing descriptions;

Second, the reasons why they think the crisis is occurring. This, too, will be instructive;

Third, their proposed solutions.

Each party should clearly state their descriptions, reasons and solutions for the benefit of all Canadians, in French and in English.

Each of these three things should be presented in three versions:

First, a one or two-page summary of their descriptions, reasons and solutions.

Second, a five-page (maximum) explanation of each of the three things.

Third, whatever background materials the parties wish to include.

All of this should be presented on one easily accessible Government of Canada web site.

I suspect none of the parties will be willing to participate, as they know that, if written clearly for all to read, their thinking would be revealed to be inadequate and unhelpful.

Nevertheless, for the good of the country, they should try their best.

Clair Culliford