Throne speech expected to address reconciliation

In the speech delivered in the Senate Friday, the governing Liberals under Prime Minister Justin Trudeau outlined their agenda, starting with a call for Parliamentarians to be “smart, and caring – on a scale as never before”.

“The government will introduce legislation that will…legalise, regulate and restrict access to marijuana”, Canada’s Governor General David Johnston said during a speech to parliament about the Liberal party’s plans.

The speech expanded on five well-worn themes that were central to the Liberals’ stunning upset victory in the October 19 election.

“Recognizing that public investment is needed to create and support economic growth, job creation and economic prosperity, the government will make significant new investments in public transit, green infrastructure, and social infrastructure”, he said.

The gathering that falls a week ahead of the final report from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission probing Canada’s dark residential school legacy.

On a more procedural note, on the heels of the Harper government, which the Liberals criticized as heavily partisan, the throne speech promises a new tone.

To offset those tax cuts, a new tax bracket of 33 per cent will be introduced for earnings of more than $200,000 annually.

The government will legalize marijuana.

The cut was a key campaign commitment by the Liberals.

“When we look at the Speech from the Throne and the massive amounts of spending and the large government that we are going to be seeing there is going to be very little left for taxpayers”. It did not specifically repeat Trudeau’s campaign promise to meet the premiers to hash out a national climate change strategy within 90 days of the United Nations climate conference underway now in Paris.

On aboriginal affairs, the government said it will “undertake to renew, nation-to-nation, the relationship between Canada and Indigenous peoples, one based on recognition of rights, respect, co-operation and partnership”. Canadians elected a government to bring us together, not to set us against one another.

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”.

Trudeau pledged “greater openness and transparency in government”, Senate reform and to consult on election law changes to end the so-called first-past-the-post electoral system. The provinces and territories will also be involved in plans to develop a new Health Accord.