Speech From The Throne

April 05, 2006

On Tuesday, April 4th, Canada’s new Conservative government delivered its first Speech from the Throne outlining the Five Priorities that Canadians from every part of the country supported during the recent federal election.

The first priority is a solemn pledge to improve Canadians’ faith in public institutions by making government more accountable and effective.  We made it our first priority because, without public trust, our public institutions would crumble and our nation’s respected place on the world stage would be jeopardized.

That’s why the Federal Accountability Act will be the first piece of legislation Canada’s new Conservative government introduces when Parliament returns. This new law will restore the principle that government should serve the public interest, not personal interests.

Another priority that Canadians have embraced is our commitment to help families cope by lowering taxes – starting with the GST.  Our plan calls for the GST to be dropped from 7% to 6% right away, and eventually to 5%.  It’s meaningful tax relief for all Canadians.

Canadians are worried about the availability of health care services.  That’s why Canada’s new government will negotiate patient wait time guarantees with the provinces – so Canadians finally start to receive essential medical treatment within clinically acceptable waiting times.  Canadians have a right to expect the health care services they need will be there when they need it.  The Patient Wait Times Guarantee is an important first step to achieving that goal.

During the election, parents told us they wanted better childcare options and more choice in how that care is provided. That’s why Canada’s new government will implement a truly universal childcare plan that assists every family with children under six years old. At the same time, we will introduce incentives for businesses, non-profit and community-based-organizations to add 125,000 new childcare spaces.

Our plan works for all families, not just those who live near a government-funded daycare centre. Our plan serves ordinary working families instead of government bureaucracies. And our plan respects the fact that parents – not governments – are best at making decisions about how to care for their kids.

Finally, Canadians deserve to feel safe in their homes, on their streets and in their communities. That’s why Canada’s new Conservative government is cracking down on crime. For too long, the old Liberal government focused too much on the wellbeing of criminals and not enough on the safety of good, honest, law-abiding Canadians. Well, Canada’s new government is turning a new leaf. Beginning with the Speech from the Throne, the old Liberal days of “hug a thug” are gone.

Accountability, cutting the GST, a patient wait time guarantee, choice in child care and getting tough on crime – these are the priorities Canadians voted for and they are the priorities of Canada’s new Conservative government.

I'm proud to support Canada's new Conservative government and our five priority agenda. I'd like to know what you think, please be sure to contact me.

To read the Speech From The Throne, click here.