Canada’s new government promises fiscal plan suited to tough times
It also promised significant new investment in infrastructure to boost the stagnant economy.
The newly elected government’s first speech from the throne, delivered in the Senate chamber by Gov. Gen. David Johnston, heralded the start of a new partnership with First Nations, Metis and Inuit people.
As expected, the Speech repeats the pledges made by the Liberals during the election campaign and does not make any major new announcements. It is a position Trudeau has held since becoming leader of the Liberal Party in 2013.
As the Liberal government formally laid out its plan for Parliament with its speech from the throne Friday, a tax cut for the middle class stands out in Windsor, which has long had the highest unemployment rate in the country.
The Governor General also committed the Liberals to bringing in the new Canada Child Benefit and to fulfilling promises to invest billions in infrastructure over the next three years.
“We saw no mention of the agricultural sector, no mention of the auto sector, no mention of the energy sector”, said Ambrose.
Trudeau added: “We will restore Canadians’ trust in their public institutions, including the House of Commons and the Senate, by working with greater openness and transparency”.
Opposition leaders picked holes in the document. “I think Canadians have to be prepared for the fact that if they’re giving with one hand they’re going to take away with the other, it’s that simple”, she said.
The speech also promised a transparent review of Canada’s Armed Forces and defence needs, with the goal of “building a leaner, more agile, better-equipped military”. Next week, Mr. Trudeau will address a special chiefs assembly in Gatineau, Que.
Mulcair also said that he was “shocked” that there was not a “single reference” to childcare in the throne speech.
Environment: The government devotes an entire page to environmental issues in the speech, pledging to work with the provinces on pricing carbon emissions.
There were also commitments to enhance the Canada Pension Plan and the Employment Insurance system, and to make postsecondary education more affordable.
The government’s agenda will reflect the belief that “Canada’s strength is its diversity”, Johnston said.
Canada Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s government has formally opened the new session of Parliament, setting into motion plans made during the country’s election campaign while acknowledging challenging economic times.
Cumberland-Colchester MP Bill Casey acknowledged there were few surprises in the speech but called the Liberal plan an ambitious one.