Calling it “an ambitious plan for unprecedented times,” Justin Trudeau’s Liberal government put forward its agenda for the future during a Speech from the Throne Wednesday..It include promises to create 1 million jobs, an action plan for women, daycare investments, support for workers and businesses hit by COVID-19 and a plan for climate change..Taxing the rich and a handgun grab were also promised in a speech that barely touched on the West and didn’t mention pipelines at all..The 54-minute speech was a huge promise list of spending that will end up costing tens or hundreds of billions of dollars..The speech said the Liberals will focus on four main elements in the coming Parliament..The first element will be to fight the pandemic, the speech said, noting 9,000 Canadians have died from COVID-19..The Liberals vowed to help any businesses shut down by new health orders during the country’s reopening..The second element will be to “support people and businesses…for as long as it take.”.The Liberals vowed to create more than 1 million new jobs with direct spending, more training programs and incentives for businesses to hire..The speech said the government will replace the current CERB program with the Canada Recovery benefit..The Canadian Emergency Wage Subsidy program until the summer of 2021,.“Canadians shouldn’t have to take on debt the government is better able to shoulder.”.The third pillar will be to “build back a stronger and more resilient Canada.”.The speech noted the pandemic has been especially hard on women leaving moms “with the impossible choice between kids and career.”.The Liberals announced a “significant and long-term investment” into child care across the country. The programs will also include after school care. It also announced further strategies for female entrepreneurs..Climate change will be a “cornerstone” of Liberal policy..The speech said the Liberals plan to exceed 2030 carbon emission targets and make plans for a net-zero economy by 2050 a law..It said it will continue with its carbon taxing while coming up with a plan to retro-fit Canadian homes with new environmental technology. It vowed more transit options across the country along with cheaper electric cars..A new federal fund will also be launched to attract investment in carbon reduction businesses..The Liberals vowed to support the energy industry, foresters and rancher in their efforts to reduce carbon emissions..“It can’t be free to pollute,” the speech read..The Liberals also vowed to revive the Canada Water Agency and work on the economy of fishers and coastal communities.. POLL: Many Albertans say they will ignore Christmas COVID lockdown .The speech said Liberals will focus on helping the middle class and taxing “extreme wealth” along with closing tax loopholes..The Liberals also vowed to go after digital giants like Google and Netflix to make sure they pay their fare share..“This must change and will change,” the speech said..Noting residents of long term-care homes were hard hit by the pandemic, the speech announced there would be changes to the Criminal Code to penalize negligent owners..Along with the provinces help, new national standards for old age homes will be brought in..The government vowed to move quicker with a national Phramacare program..It repeated Liberal vows to ban handguns in cities and will take steps to address violence against women. New battered womens’ shelters will also be funded..The government also vowed to work quicker on the issue of systemic racism in the country and move forward with reconciliation with Indigenous peoples..It will include plans to combat online hate groups and vowed to make sure the justice system doesn’t discriminate against minorities..The government also committed to more oversight for the RCMP..More money was also promised for overseas countries to develop and defeat the pandemic..Strengthening the Official Languages Act, increasing immigration and working to free two Canadians detained by China are also on the governments to-do list..Finally, the speech said the Liberals will focus on “standing up for who we are as Canadians.”.The speech was read by embattled Gov.-Gen Julie Payette, who is under investigation for workplace harassment..Dave Naylor is the News Editor of the Western Standard.dnaylor@westernstandardonline.com.TWITTER: Twitter.com/nobby7694
