King Charles travelled to Ottawa, at the request of Prime Minister Mark Carney, to deliver the Throne Speech to open the 45th session of Parliament.He and Queen Camilla arrived in the capital region Monday afternoon, where they participated in multiple events, including a reception, a street market, and a tree-planting ceremony. On Tuesday morning, the king delivered the Throne Speech from the Red Chamber in the Canadian Senate.King Charles, speaking on behalf of Carney’s Liberal minority government, emphasized multiple promises made during the election campaign.But first, he opened his Throne Speech with a land acknowledgment."It is my great hope that in each of your communities, and collectively as a country, a path is found toward truth and reconciliation, in both word and deed," he added."I've always had the greatest admiration for Canada's unique identity, which is recognized across the world for bravery and sacrifice in defence of national values, and for the diversity and kindness of the native First Nations and Métis peoples.".LIVE BLOG: King Charles delivers Throne Speech.The king further stated:"A confident Canada can seize this moment by recognizing that all Canadians can give themselves far more than any foreign power on any continent can ever take away."King Charles went on to highlight the "rights and freedoms" upheld in Canada through the Charter, Canada's long military history, and "commitment to reconciliation," and alluded to the ongoing trade war with the United States."Today, Canada faces a critical moment: democracy, pluralism, the rule of law, self-determination, and freedom are values which Canadians hold dear and ones which the government is determined to protect," he said."The system of open global trade that has helped to deliver prosperity for Canadians for decades is changing. Canada's relationships with partners are also changing.""We must confront the reality that since the Second World War, there has never been a time as dangerous and unstable. Canada is now facing challenges which are unprecedented in my lifetime. Canadians are feeling anxious, worried about the drastic change, the changing world around them.".King Charles, speaking on behalf of the Canadian government, said the "government will protect the sovereignty of Canada by rearming and reinvesting in the Canadian Armed Forces ... and the expansion of the Canadian defense industry."The king promised strengthened security at the border and a continued crackdown on firearms laws. He also emphasized a commitment to further Indigenous reconciliation, return Canada's immigration system to the exemplary model it was 10 years ago, and Canada's sovereignty amid suggestions from President Donald Trump that the country become the 51st state.In a pointed remark, the king declared:"The True North is indeed strong and free."He also said the Liberals would uphold their promise to build new "modular" homes and obliterate interprovincial trade barriers by Canada Day, July 1..Finally, King Charles addressed the issue of energy production, repeating recent promises made by Energy Minister Tim Hodgson, who said projects would be accelerated significantly. He confirmed the government's intention to fast-track energy project approvals within two years.However, like Carney and his Liberals, he did not specify what kind of energy projects.The government's initiatives "will make it possible for a new era of growth and help Canada's ability to overcome the challenge of trade wars stronger than ever," he said."That will allow it to become a superpower when it comes to green energy."He outlined the government's plans to "build an industrial strategy that will make Canada more competitive on the international stage, while at the same time fighting climate change."The projects will "thus make Canada a Science and Innovation Hub," he added.
