Throne speech promises new tone, tax cut and turning point for First Nations

The Liberal government has promised a new tone for Parliament in a throne speech that sets an "ambitious" agenda of tax cuts for the middle class, a more robust peacekeeping role and a new health-care deal with the provinces. But some critics say the Liberal to-do list comes with a hefty price tag.

Conservative Opposition pans 'big government and big spending'

Kathleen Harris CBC News Posted: Dec 04, 2015 1:15 PM EST | Last Updated: December 6, 2015

The speech from the throne

9 years ago

15:07

Gov. Gen. David Johnston reads the goverment's speech from the throne in the Senate chamber.

Friday's 15-minute address, titled "Making Real Change Happen," also commits to building a new relationship between Canada and First Nations based on respect and a recognition of rights.

The speech, delivered in theSenate chamber by Gov. Gen. David Johnston,presented in broad strokes the government's plans and priorities for the 42nd Parliament.

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As an "immediate priority," the government will deliver a tax cut "for the middle class."

"This is the fair thing to do, and the smart thing to do for Canada's economy," Johnston read from the speech.

The address also promiseda better future for Canada by being "smart and caring on a scale as never before."

"The times we live in demand nothing less," Johnston read.

The promise to renew, nation-to-nation, the relationship withIndigenous Peoplescomes with commitments to improveeducation, tolaunch an inquiry into missing and murdered indigenous women and girls, and toimplement recommendations from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.

The throne speech also promisedto usher in a new tone for Parliament, which has been marred by partisan bickering in recent years.

"In this Parliament, all members will be honoured, respected and heard, wherever they sit," Johnston said. "For here, in these chambers, the voices of all Canadians matter."

Throne Speech mentions security assault weapons legalizing and restricting marijuana

9 years ago

1:47

Governor General David Johnston delivered the 15 minute speech in the Senate Friday afternoon

Following up oncampaign promises

Much of the speech mirrorspromises from the Liberal election platform, including:

Electoral, democratic and Senate reforms.
More free votes for MPs and no partisan government advertising.
Putting a price on carbon and making investments in clean technology.
Enhancingthe Canada Pension Plan and creating a new Canada child benefit.
Getting handguns and assault weapons off the streets.
Legalize, regulate and restrict marijuana sales.

MPs,senators, Supreme Court justices and other dignitaries were in the packed chamber. Former prime ministers Joe Clark, John TurnerandJean Chrtienalso attended.

The throne speech promised to renew Canada's commitment to United Nations peacekeeping operations and to work with allies to fight terrorism. It also pledgedto invest in building a "leaner, more agile, better-equipped military."

'Big government and big spending'

Interim Conservative LeaderRona Ambrose expressed disappointment that there was no mention of agriculture, energyor the private sector.

Opposition Leader Rona Ambrose says the Throne Speech is about big government and big spending

9 years ago

1:00

Ambrose concerned that the Throne Speech didn't mention the private sector or the fight against ISIS

"What we've seen from this speech from the throne is nothing less than big government and big spending, which we know will result in higher taxes for Canadians," she said.

CanadianTaxpayersFederation director Aaron Wudrick agreed the Liberal to-do list will come with a hefty price tag.

"They've made a lot of big promises and the government will be hard pressed to find a way to pay for them all," he said in a release.

NDP Leader Tom Mulcairsaid he was "thrilled" by the commitment to restore relations with First Nations. But overall he called it a "thin" speech with a disappointing lack ofcommitmentto lower the retirement age and to restore door-to-door mail delivery.

"There's no mention of new oversight provisions for C-51. And, frankly, I was shocked that there's not a single reference to childcare in the whole throne speech."

NDP Leader Tom Mulcair calls the Throne Speech "Thin"

9 years ago

1:52

Mulcair says the Throne speech contains some things he finds encouraging and the speech was missing others that he says are important

New relationship with First Nations

Minister of Indigenous and Northern Affairs Carolyn Bennett said the new Parliament marks a turning point for relations with FirstNations, whichwill be built on respect and partnership.

"We've learned that top-down, barking orders doesn't work," she told CBC News.

David Charette, a multi-disciplinary artist originally from the Wikwemikong Unceded Reserve on Manitoulin Island in Ontario, performedan indigenous honour song for Johnston and his wife, Sharon, and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his wife,Sophie Grgoire-Trudeau, as well asother members of the vice-regal party.

The party was alsogreeted in the Hall of Honour by new Canadians, Syrian refugeesand youth from two elementary schools.