The speech made it clear that the government’s no. 1 priority for the economy was to strengthen the middle class, through a combination of tax cuts and spending on new programs.
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After all, Trudeau is already grappling with tough challenges, especially on refugees and climate change, and the latest economic news leaves no doubt he’ll also have to work hard to deliver a feeling that noticeably better times are at hand for Canada’s middle class.
The speech also reiterates Trudeau’s promises to run an open and transparent government, reform the electoral system, empower backbenchers, work with the provinces to put a price on carbon.
Johnston says the government will work jointly to implement recommendations of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, which explored the tragic legacy of Canada’s defunct residential school system. In response to pressing worldwide need, we will welcome 25,000 new Canadians from Syria by the end of February 2016.
Two notable Supreme Court rulings were omitted from the speech – the ruling that the government must rewrite its laws restricting physician-assisted dying and the ruling that bans on brothels violates Canada’s Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
The formal announcement, delivered just hours after fresh data showed the economy was struggling, made no mention of whether the Liberals would stick to their campaign pledge to limit budget deficits to C$10 billion (£5 billion) a year.
In a broader vein, the government said it will make “significant new investments” in public transit, green infrastructure and what the government calls social infrastructure, with no reference to highway and related transportation infrastructure.
“We will undertake these and other initiatives while pursuing a responsible and transparent fiscal plan suited to challenging economic times”.
Johnston also said the government would take steps towards ensuring every aboriginal child in Canada receives a quality education.
Trudeau has said he will address a special meeting of chiefs on Tuesday that is being hosted by the Assembly of First Nations.
“We saw no mention of the agricultural sector, no mention of the auto sector, no mention of the energy sector”, said Ambrose.
Trudeau added: “We will restore Canadians’ trust in their public institutions, including the House of Commons and the Senate, by working with greater openness and transparency”.
It’s a symbolic gesture that’s part of the effort to signal a new relationship, Bennett noted.
The previous Conservative government passed legislation to raise the age of eligibility to 67, a change to be phased in over six years, starting in 2023.
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Canada’s new Liberal authorities again promised Fri.to legalize marijuana in a speech outlining its agenda as Parliament resumes after the October 19 election.
