Speech From the Throne 2008

December 05, 2021

Ottawa Journal for the Week of December 01 – December 05, 2021
DAVID TILSON, MP for Dufferin-Caledon


On November 19th, Governor General, Michaëlle Jean, delivered the Speech from the Throne, which officially opened the First Session of the new Fortieth Parliament. Through the Speech, our Government shared its vision on how it will work to protect Canada’s future in a time of global economic instability.

This year’s Speech demonstrates our Government’s commitment to a strong and focused agenda that delivers real results for Canadians. Our newly re-elected Government will follow a five-pronged plan to protect Canada’s economic security which includes:

• Reform global finance by working with our allies and trading partners to re-examine and renew the rules that underpin the global financial system.
• Ensure sound budgeting so that Canada does not return to ongoing, unsustainable structural deficits while putting all federal expenditures under the microscope of responsible spending.
• Secure jobs for families and communities by encouraging the skilled trades and apprenticeships, supporting workers facing transition, and providing further support to the automotive and aerospace industries.
• Expand investment and trade by modernizing investment, competition and copyright laws while working with the United States to address shared challenges and pursuing trade agreements in Europe, Asia and the Americas.
• Make government more effective by reducing red tape, fixing procurement, improving program and service delivery, and improving the management of federal agencies, boards, commissions and Crown corporations.
• In addition to detailing the core economic priorities of the Government, the Speech from the Throne also outlined other areas where our Government will be looking to deliver results for Canadians:
• Securing our energy future by developing our rich energy resources and pursuing new cleaner energy supplies, including further development of natural gas resources in Canada’s North. The Government will also ensure it is ready to regulate new nuclear projects.
• Tackling climate change and preserving Canada’s environment by reducing greenhouse gas emissions 20 percent by 2020, ensuring that 90 percent of our electricity needs are met by non-emitting sources by the same deadline and banning bulk water exports.
• Helping all Canadians participate by further improving the Universal Child Care Benefit, increasing access to maternity and parental benefits under Employment Insurance, and acting to help Canadians who care for loved ones with disabilities.
• Keeping Canadians safe by strengthening the sentences for serious criminal offences, putting in place new rules for food and product safety, and introducing a new national security statement.
• Contributing to global security by ensuring that our foreign policy is based on Canadian values, rebuilding the Canadian Forces with the best possible equipment, and transforming Canada’s engagement in Afghanistan to focus more on reconstruction and development.
• Building stronger institutions including moving toward representation by population in the House of Commons for British Columbia, Alberta and Ontario, introducing fixed terms for Senators, allowing for Senate nominees to be selected by voters, and enshrining the Government’s respect for provincial and territorial jurisdiction in a Charter of Open Federalism.

 On October 14th, Canadians chose to build on the gains our Government made in just over two years. They chose a Government they know will steer Canada through this time of economic uncertainty. The strong mandate outlined in the Speech from the Throne reaffirms our Government’s commitment to protecting Canadians and their families. We know that with this focused agenda presented in the Speech, Canada will emerge from this period of instability stronger and better than ever before.