Source: CP24

Ottawa - Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will set the agenda for his third Liberal term in a speech he will deliver today.

The speech is expected to be short with no surprises, summarizing the topics raised in the Liberal platform during the recent election campaign, which resulted in a second consecutive Liberal minority government.

What distinguishes this speech is Mary Simon, the first Indigenous person to hold the post of Governor General of Canada, and Simon, who is from the Inuk tribe of Kuujjuaq in northeastern Quebec, will read the speech in English before the Senate chamber to an audience of dignitaries, senators, and a handful of MPs, significantly fewer than usual due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

The speech is expected to outline the plan that the Liberals say Canadians have given Parliament a mandate to pursue: ending the war against COVID-19 and rebuilding a more resilient, fairer, and more sustainable economy.

It will also reaffirm what the government considers the pillars of economic growth, including affordable housing, stronger action on climate change, and completing negotiations with provinces refusing the $10-a-day national childcare system.

The government’s commitments to make the country safer and more inclusive and to continue pursuing reconciliation with Indigenous peoples are also expected to be reiterated.

Throne speeches rarely offer many details and this speech is not expected to be different. Details will appear later in mandate letters Trudeau writes to each of his government ministers.

It is clear the Liberals are determined this time to move quickly on their priorities, despite their minority status requiring reliance on opposition parties to pass legislation.

Government House Leader Mark Holland indicated on Monday that he wants to pass four priority bills before the House of Commons adjourns on December 17.

These include:

- A renewed bill criminalizing forcing anyone to undergo so-called “conversion therapy” to change their sexual orientation or gender identity.

- A bill criminalizing harassment or intimidation of healthcare workers.

- A bill to implement aid programs targeting those most affected by the pandemic while reducing previous emergency benefits.

- A bill to provide 10 days of paid sick leave for federally regulated workers.

Editor: Dima Abu Khair