Tory throne speech promises more jobs, no gun registry
Posted June 3, 2011 6:09 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
OTTAWA – For the first time in seven years the Governor General delivered the Speech from the Throne to a majority government.
After reviewing members of Canada’s armed forces in front of the House of Commons, Governor General David Johnston made his way into parliament where he was greeted by Prime Minister Stephen Harper.
The speech borrowed heavily from the Tory election platform.
It included plans to reform the Senate, maintain health funding increases, and create a new Office of Religious Freedom to help protect minorities abroad.
The Governor General said the Conservatives will also streamline government.
“Over the next year we will undertake a strategic and operating review of government spending lead by a new cabinet subcommittee established for this purpose,” said Johnston.
There was an unusual moment during the speech when a rogue Senate page stood in front of the Governor General and held up a sign reading “Stop Harper.”
21-year-old Brigette DePape held her hand painted sign for about 20 seconds before she was escorted out by the sergeant-at-arms of the House of Commons. Officials say she was then terminated from her position.
The speech continued without interruption as the Governor General promised to get tough on crime, kill the long-gun registry and maintain healthcare funding increases.
After the speech, NDP Leader Jack Layton said he was not impressed with what he heard, calling it a “recitation of what (the Conservatives) had proposed to do before.”
The main priority for the brief parliamentary session before the summer recess is to pass the federal budget, which is being introduced Monday.
The Tories have pledged to reintroduce the same fiscal plan they outlined prior to the election.
