Throne Speech On Tap As Parliament Returns

Work to implement recommendations from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, and will launch an investigation into the missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls.

Robyn Benson, president of the giant Public Service Alliance of Canada, noted that the throne speech was silent about rebuilding labour relations with the 18 federal unions and about the Liberals’ promises to repeal what’s viewed as the previous Conservative government’s anti-labour legislation.

“Bottom line is there is no mention of the private sector, which was very concerning when we’re thinking of the fact that we need job creation in this country and we have to focus on the economy”.

The Conservatives, who took aim at the size and compensation of the public service over nearly a decade, often signalled their public management plans in throne speeches by announcing administrative and strategic reviews, freezes on departments’ operational budgets, and wage controls.

“It went along exactly as the mandate letters he gave to each cabinet minister – ‘Here are your priorities, ‘ ” said Ray Pillar, a retired political scientist.

“The speech called for many Liberal campaign platform ideas, such as government process reforms, investing in clean energy, fighting climate change, enhancing pension plans, the legalisation and regulation of marijuana sales and removing weapons from the streets”.

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.

It also promised to introduce a new environmental assessment process.

But Mulcair conceded that much of the spending agenda had just received a strong endorsement from voters when they handed Trudeau a majority government. “We will deliver what Canadians have asked for, open up new horizons for our country, and show the world that diversity, creativity, and compassion are vital to a peaceful and prosperous future”, said Mr. Trudeau.

“First and foremost, the government believes that all Canadians should have a real and fair chance to succeed”, Johnston said.

The document did, however, mention that the government would “continue to work with its allies in the fight against terrorism”, even if it would be pulling the CF-18 fighter jets out of Iraq and Syria.

“Canadians elected a government to bring us together, not to set us against one another”, Johnston read.

However, the NDP Leader expressed concern at the lack of attention given to issues such as reforming the controversial Bill C-51 on national security and the fact that the Liberal pledge to keep the qualifying age for Old Age Security at 65 was not mentioned.

The speech also reiterated the Liberals’ promises to “legalize, regulate and restrict access to marijuana”, and develop a new health funding accord with the provinces.