OTTAWA: The first session of Canada’s 44th Parliament opened in Ottawa on November 23, with Her Excellency the Right Honourable Mary Simon, Governor General of Canada, delivering the Speech from the Throne.
The Speech introduced the government’s direction and goals, and outlines how it will work to achieve them.
Points covered included: Building a healthier today and tomorrow
Priority number one remains getting the pandemic under control. The Government will work collaboratively with provinces, territories, and other partners to deliver real results on what Canadians need. To build a healthy future, we must also strengthen our healthcare system and public health supports for all Canadians, especially seniors, veterans, persons with disabilities, vulnerable members of our communities, and those who have faced discrimination by the very system that is meant to heal. There is work to be done.
On accessibility. On care in rural communities. On delayed procedures. On mental health and addiction treatment. On long-term care. On improving data collection across health systems to inform future decisions and get the best possible results.
Growing a more resilient economy We should rebuild an economy that works for everyone. The Government will continue making life more affordable for all Canadians. I want to thank all workers across Canada, especially those in health care, for their efforts to keep us safe and healthy, and offer my deepest condolences to those who experienced loss of loved ones during the pandemic. It has touched us all, including those in this chamber who lost a cherished colleague just a few days ago, Senator ForestNiesing. We need to put a focus on mental health in the same way as physical well-being because they are inseparable”
Climate Action The Government is taking real action to fight climate change. Now, we must go further, faster. As a country, we want to be leaders in producing the world’s cleanest steel, aluminum, building products, cars, and planes. Not only do we have the raw materials and energy to do that, most importantly, we have skilled, hard-working Canadians to power these industries. As we move forward on the economy of the future, no worker or region will be left behind. The Government will bring together provinces, territories, municipalities, and Indigenous communities, as well as labour and the private sector, to tap into global capital and attract investors. Canada will emerge from this generational challenge stronger and more prosperous.
Safer communities When someone in our country is targeted because of their gender, or who they love, or where they come from, the way they pray, the language they speak, or the colour of their skin, we are all diminished. Everyone should be – and feel – safe. The Government is committed to a 10-year National Action Plan on genderbased violence, and will continue to support organizations providing critical services. diversity & inclusion Fighting systemic racism, sexism, discrimination, misconduct, and abuse, including in our core institutions, will remain a key priority. Canadians understand that equity, justice, and diversity are the means and the ends to living together. The Government will also continue to reform the criminal justice system and policing.
Reconciliation
Reconciliation requires a whole-of-government approach, breaking down barriers, and rethinking how to accelerate our work. As the Government continues to respond to the Calls to Action, it will invest in that truth, including with the creation of a national monument to honour survivors, and with the appointment of a Special Interlocutor to further advance justice on residential schools. To support communities, the Government will also invest significantly in a distinctions-based mental health and wellness strategy, guided by Indigenous Peoples, survivors, and their families.
Equitable world The Government will continue to protect Canadians from threats to our communities, our society, and our democracy. In the face of rising authoritarianism and great power competition, Canada must reinforce international peace and security, the rule of law, democracy, and respect for human rights. Canada’s prosperity – and middle class jobs – depend on preserving and expanding open, rules-based trade and ensuring our supply chains are strong and resilient.
A changing world requires adapting and expanding diplomatic engagement. Canada will continue working with key allies and partners, while making deliberate efforts to deepen partnerships in the Indo-Pacific and across the Arctic.
In a statment on the speech, the Prime Minister said: “After 19 months of facing a once-in-a-century pandemic, Canadians chose to move forward this September. They gave Parliamentarians a clear direction to work together to put the COVID-19 crisis behind us and find the real solutions needed to build a better future for all Canadians. The Government of Canada has listened to Canadians, and we are ready to finish the fight against COVID-19, take strong climate action, make life more affordable, walk the shared path of reconciliation, put home ownership back in reach, create jobs, and grow the middle class.
We’ve signed nine child care agreements with provinces and territories that will cut fees in half in the next year for most jurisdictions, build hundreds of thousands of new child care spaces across the country, and create an early learning and child care system that will cost, on average, $10-a-day. We’re moving forward to cap and cut oil and gas sector emissions, investing in public transit, and mandating the sale of zeroemissions vehicles. The government recognizes that we live in a deeply connected world.
The pandemic has shown us the importance of working with our global partners. From fighting the climate crisis to securing supply chains, and standing up to reinforce international peace and security, Canada will continue to be a leader on the world stage. The Government of Canada is committed to continuing to put Canadians first as we build a cleaner and healthier future. Together, we move Canada forward – for everyone.”
