For Immediate Release | November 20, 2008
Throne Speech Sets Course for Uncertain
Economic Times
Ottawa (November 20, 2008)- The Speech from
the Throne officially marked the opening of the 40th Session
of Parliament. The speech established a framework for the Government’s
agenda for the next session of Parliament and outlined a broad
range of action the Government will take to protect Canada’s
future in a time of global economic uncertainty.
“The Speech from the Throne sent a clear
message that our Government is committed to addressing the challenges
individuals, families, and businesses face during this time
of economic instability,” said Komarnicki. “Canadians
are rightly concerned about what this time might mean for their
jobs, their savings, and their families. The Government of Canada
has its sights fixed on sound fiscal management and its priorities
are to work with its international partners as well as its partners
at home including the provinces, territories, third parties,
and the private sector to achieve positive results for Canadians.”
To date, the Government has taken the right
measures to ensure that Canada is on the right track entering
into this time of uncertainty by paying down the debt, reducing
taxes, and keeping spending under control. As a result of the
Government’s actions, Canada finds itself in a much better
position than most other countries.
This position of strength is a result of strong,
prudent leadership and good fiscal management. Under the continued
leadership of Prime Minster Stephen Harper and the Government,
the Throne Speech sets out a plan to protect Canada’s
economic security that includes:
• Reforming the
global financial system: Our Government will work with
our allies and trading partners to re-examine and review the
rules that underpin the global financial system. To further
strengthen financial oversight in Canada, our Government will
work with the provinces to put in place a common securities
regulator.
• Ensuring sound
budgeting: Our Government will have its sights on responsible
fiscal management so that Canada does not return to ongoing,
unsustainable structural deficits. All federal expenditures
will be placed under the microscope to ensure they are focused
and achieving results.
• Securing jobs
for families and communities: Our Government will be
committed to strengthening Canada’s workforce by encouraging
the skilled trades and apprenticeships, supporting workers in
transition, and providing further support to the automotive
and aerospace sector. Measures will be taken to encourage companies
to invest in new machinery and equipment. Infrastructure spending
that creates jobs will be expedited under the Building Canada
Plan to ensure that projects are delivered as quickly as possible.
• Expanding investment
and trade: Our Government will move to increase Canada’s
competitiveness in the global marketplace. It will work with
the United States to address shared challenges and pursue trade
agreements in Europe, Asia, and the Americas. Efforts will also
be made at home to work with the provinces to remove barriers
to internal trade, investment, and labour mobility.
• Making government
more effective: Our Government will act to reduce red
tape, fix procurement, and improve the administration of programs
and services. We will improve the management of federal agencies,
boards, commissions, and Crown corporations to achieve greater
cost effectiveness.
“There is no doubt that in moving forward
there will be some hard and important decisions to make because
the global economy is experiencing an economic slowdown and
Canada will not be immune to it,” said Komarnicki.
Notwithstanding the fact that unsustainable
deficits are unacceptable and that structural deficits must
not return, as addressed in the Throne Speech, in a historic
global downturn, it would be misguided to commit to a balanced
budget in the short term at any cost, because that cost would
ultimately be borne by Canadian families.
“We must also do our part by making hard
choices to keep federal spending under control and focused on
results,” said Komarnicki.
Going forward concerted efforts will be taken
to:
“All in all, there will be a change of
tone and direction on Parliament Hill that will ensure we come
out of this downturn sooner, stronger, and better for it,”
said Komarnicki.
