Canada’s Liberal Government to Pursue Marijuana Legalization

Justin Trudeau is signalling that his government will make a clean break from the policies and practises of its Conservative predecessors with a relatively short Speech from the Throne that promises a cleaner environment, an enhanced social safety net, and a new era of openness and transparency.

“It’s the fruit of conversation with Canadians who clearly and frankly indicated to government what they need to succeed”, Johnson said.

Gov. Gen. David Johnston implored Parliamentarians to be “smart and caring” as he delivered the throne speech to open the 42nd session of Parliament under a new Liberal government.

Apart from legalizing marijuana, the new government also plans to cut taxes for citizens with middle income as well as to provide higher child benefits to the needy, which would be financed by a tax increase on the wealthiest 1 percent of the population. “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 times we live in demand nothing less”, Johnston said.

Justice Minister Jody Wilson-Raybould’s mandate letter instructs her to work with the ministers of health and public safety to “create a federal-provincial-territorial process that will lead to the legalization and regulation of marijuana”.

The government promised to work with indigenous peoples to improve their lives, namely by implementing recommendations of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada, launching an inquiry into missing and murdered indigenous women and girls, and improving education for First Nations children. The government is also promising a new system to appoint Senators and more open debates and free votes in the House of Commons.

A clear challenge facing the Liberals is that federal revenues over the coming four years likely won’t be strong enough to fund the promises outlined in the party platform and the Throne Speech.

The government also promised to renew Canada’s commitment to peacekeeping but, at the same time, vows to continue working with allies to combat terrorism.

More support for veterans and their families, as well as a review of the military with an eye on “building a leaner, more agile, better-equipped military”.

Isadore Day, the Ontario regional chief of the Assembly of First Nations, said the government’s language indicates the prime minister will make good on his promise to recognize a nation-to-nation relationship.

In a small reflection of his father’s occasional unconventional ways, Mr. Trudeau was the only male parliamentarian wearing brown shoes instead of black along with coloured socks.