OTTAWA, ON – David Tilson, Member of Parliament for Dufferin-Caledon, returned to Ottawa on Tuesday, November 18th, for the opening of the 40th Parliament. The new parliamentary session officially began today with the Speech from the Throne, delivered by Her Excellency, the Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean.

The Speech outlined an agenda focused on steering Canada through the current period of global economic instability. During the first parliamentary session, the Federal Government will take further steps to stimulate the Canadian economy, as part of a global effort to reverse the economic slowdown.

While acting in the best interests of the Canadian economy, the Federal Government will follow a five-pronged plan to protect Canada’s economic security:

•Reform the global financial system by working with our allies and trading partners to re-examine and renew the rules that underpin the global financial system;
•Ensure sound budgeting by ensuring 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; and
•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 protecting Canada’s economic security, the Speech also outlined other areas where the Federal Government will be looking to deliver results for Canadians. These include: securing our energy future; tackling climate change; expanding opportunities for Canadians; keeping Canadians safe; contributing to global security; and building stronger institutions.

When asked to comment on today’s Speech from the Throne, Mr. Tilson said, “Our Government is in the best position to steward Canada through this time of global economic uncertainty. We will do this by keeping spending prudent and focused, as we committed to Canadians during the election.” He went on to comment, “We will continue to deliver on the priorities that matter most to the people of Dufferin-Caledon and Canada and our country will emerge stronger and better than ever before.”