Honourable Senators, Members of the House of Commons,
Ladies and gentlemen,
I begin by congratulating all parliamentarians
on this opening day of the Forty-first Parliament of Canada
on my own behalf and on behalf
of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, Queen of Canada,
who sends her congratulations
and warm good wishes.
Many of you are returning to your duties
as Members of the House of Commons,
and over one hundred of you are about to take your places
as elected representatives for the first time.
Together,
you have been entrusted with a profound responsibility:
to serve the public interest on behalf of all Canadians.
In the months since my installation
as Governor General,
I have had the privilege of meeting with
Canadians
in their communities, and at Rideau Hall and La Citadelle.
It has been an honour
to answer this unique call to service,
and I want to share with you something of what I have learned
in my travels
across this remarkable country of ours.
I have learned that,
regardless of age or affiliation,
all Canadians want to help create
a better future for this country.
Each of us aspires to a Canada
where everyone can succeed and contribute,
where excellence and opportunity coexist.
I have met with Canadians
from all walks of life
and discovered this common ground.
In 2017, we will celebrate the 150th anniversary of Confederation,
and I invite all Canadians to imagine ways
to build a smarter, more caring nation
as we approach this wonderful milestone.
I believe that in order to achieve our vision,
we must work together to support families and children,
to reinforce learning and innovation,
and to encourage philanthropy and volunteerism.
Each of us can answer the call to service our own way
and, together, continue this bold experiment
that we call Canada.
Canadians have expressed their desire
for a strong, stable national government
in this new Parliament.
With this clear mandate,
our Government will deliver on its commitments.
It will implement the next phase of Canada’s Economic Action Plan
to build on the progress already made.
It will continue to focus on jobs and growth.
It will bring the federal budget back into balance.
It will invest in our system of universal health care.
It will support the communities and families
that work so hard to care for each other.
Our Government will defend the rights of law-abiding citizens,
and it will promote Canadian values and interests
at home and abroad.
Our Government will be here for all Canadians—
for individuals, for families
and for all regions of the country—
as together we move Canada forward.
Jobs and growth
will remain our Government’s top priority.
Through Canada’s Economic Action Plan,
our Government took direct action
to create jobs and protect Canadians
during the global recession.
On Monday, as our first order of business,
our Government will reintroduce our Budget,
in order to implement the next phase
of Canada’s Economic Action Plan
our low tax plan for jobs and growth.
We will get back to work on
the things that matter most to Canadians:
good jobs, security for our families
and a prosperous future.
Our Government’s plan builds
on five years of hard work
to create
the right conditions for growth
and job creation:
a stable, predictable,
low-tax environment;
a highly skilled and flexible workforce;
support for innovation
and new technologies;
and wider access to markets abroad.
This approach has allowed Canada
to meet the challenges of the global recession.
The next phase of our Government’s plan
is designed to help us stay on track
during the recovery.
Since 2006,
Canadians have benefited
from significant, broad-based tax cuts.
These cuts have given families the flexibility
to make the choices that are right for them.
They have freed businesses
to grow and succeed,
creating the jobs on which Canadians depend.
Our Government will continue on this path
by introducing new tax credits
for individuals and families,
and by keeping taxes low to create jobs.
It will also complete work already underway
with the Government of Quebec
to reach an agreement on tax harmonization
no later than September 15, 2011.
However, there is more to be done.
The global economy remains fragile,
and risks to our recovery persist.
As well, Canada’s workforce is aging,
and it will no longer grow as it has in the past.
This demographic challenge will impact our economic future
and put long-term pressures
on our pension and health systems
that must be addressed.
In the years ahead, our prosperity will also depend
on making sure that all Canadians
have the skills and opportunities
to contribute, to innovate and to succeed.
Our Government’s plan will provide
assistance for workers who want to learn
new skills and seize opportunities.
It will remove barriers
for older workers
who want to continue their careers.
It will lay the foundation for long-term growth
by helping a new generation gain the critical skills
they will need to thrive
in the workforce.
The success of Canada’s job-creating businesses
demands both hard work
and good ideas,
and we must create the right conditions
for both to be rewarded.
Our Government will introduce and seek
swift passage of copyright legislation
that balances the needs of creators and users.
In order to improve Canada’s productivity,
enhance our economic competitiveness
and increase our standard of living,
our Government will continue to make
targeted investments to promote and encourage
research and development
in Canada's private sector
and in our universities, colleges and polytechnics.
It will look for ways to support innovation
while ensuring that federal investment
in research and development is effective
and maximizes results for Canadians.
It will also release and implement
a Digital Economy Strategy
that enhances digital infrastructure
and encourages Canadian businesses
to adopt digital technologies
and provide digital-skills training
for their employees and new hires.
In addition, our Government
will continue to cut red tape
for small businesses
so that they can focus their attention
on growing their businesses and creating jobs.
This will be achieved while maintaining
the highest standards to protect our environment
and the health and safety of Canadians.
Our Government will also continue
opening new markets for Canadian businesses
in order to create good new jobs
for Canadian workers.
Since 2006, we have signed free trade agreements
covering eight countries, and negotiations
covering some fifty more are underway.
Our Government will aim to complete negotiations
on a free trade agreement with the European Union
by 2012.
It will also seek to complete negotiations
on a free trade agreement with India in 2013.
In all international forums and bilateral negotiations,
our Government will continue to stand up for
for Canadian farmers and industries
by defending supply management.
The United States is our most important
trading partner, ally and friend.
Our Government will work with President Obama
and his administration to deliver
on the Shared Vision for Perimeter Security and Economic Competitiveness.
We will strengthen our collaboration
to streamline and secure our border
and enhance regulatory cooperation,
ensuring that people and goods
can flow freely and safely between our two countries.
Our Government also understands the importance
of attracting foreign investment to our economy.
Foreign investment helps Canadian companies grow
by introducing new technologies and practices—
launching pads to strengthen growth and innovation here at home.
It provides new opportunities to connect our firms to the world.
Our Government will continue
to welcome foreign investment that benefits Canada.
Our Government will also move forward
with willing partners to establish
a new national securities regulator,
subject to the Supreme Court’s decision
on the extent of federal jurisdiction.
Nearly three years ago, the world faced
an unprecedented financial crisis.
Drawing on strong fundamentals
and the values of the hard-working Canadians and firms
that refused to let difficult times define them,
our Economic Action Plan helped Canada
emerge quickly from recession.
Working closely with provinces, territories and communities,
our Government moved swiftly to deliver
a targeted, time-limited stimulus program
that created and protected jobs
right across the country.
Hard work, determination and responsible choices
allowed us to make these extraordinary investments
when times were tough,
while avoiding the high debt levels
that threaten other countries.
We must now take that same approach
to future growth.
We must eliminate the deficit
and return to balanced budgets
to ensure that our economy can continue to grow
and create jobs and that the federal government
will have sufficient fiscal flexibility for future choices.
Our Government had committed to achieving this by 2015.
In order to accelerate the return to a balanced budget
and to eliminate the deficit one year earlier,
over the next year we will undertake
a Strategic and Operating Review of government spending
led by a new Cabinet subcommittee
established for this purpose.
This review will be focused on reducing the cost of government,
while keeping taxes low
and preserving transfers to individuals and provinces
for essential things like pensions, health and education.
Our Government will also complete its stimulus
package as promised
and continue specific measures
to restrain the growth of government expenditures.
Our Government’s plan
will put us on a strong footing
to resume paying down the federal debt,
further reduce taxes on families
and continue investing in priorities.
There is no greater priority for Canadians
than caring for their loved ones.
Canadians believe that their parents
and grandparents have worked hard
and deserve a secure retirement.
They want their children and grandchildren to grow up
with every opportunity to lead happy, healthy lives.
Many Canadian families
struggle to realize these goals.
That is why our Government’s low-tax plan
will permanently enhance
the Guaranteed Income Supplement
for some 680,000 of Canada’s most vulnerable seniors.
This increase—the largest in a quarter century—
will help these seniors make ends meet.
At the same time, our Government will continue
to help Canadians save for their retirement,
and will work with provincial and territorial partners
to implement the Pooled Registered Pension Plan.
Our Government’s plan also recognizes
the tremendous time and resources
required of family caregivers.
Many individuals and families have added responsibilities
in caring for infirm parents or relatives.
These family caregivers make special sacrifices,
often leaving the workforce temporarily
and forgoing employment income.
The new Family Caregiver Tax Credit
will support those who care for
a dependent family member who is infirm.
In addition, our Government will remove the cap
on eligible expenses that caregivers
can claim under the Medical Expense Tax Credit.
Our Government will also support parents
in providing their children
with opportunities to grow personally
and discover their creative passions
by establishing a Children’s Arts Tax Credit.
Canadians want and expect their health care system
to be there when they and their families need it most.
Canadians want better results from the health care system,
at the same time as an aging population
is putting unprecedented pressure
on the system’s ability to deliver.
Our Government is committed
to respecting provincial jurisdiction
and working with the provinces and territories
to ensure that the health care system is sustainable
and that there is accountability for results.
It will maintain the six percent escalator
for the Canada Health Transfer,
while working collaboratively with provincial partners
to renew the Health Accord
and to continue reducing wait times.
As has been done before, our Government
will enter into a separate agreement
with the Government of Quebec regarding the implementation
of the renewed Health Accord.
Canadians are united by core values,
a shared history and a sense of common purpose.
Our Government will join Canadians
in celebrating our heritage,
in promoting our values
and in standing for what is right on the world stage.
In an uncertain global environment,
our Government will also continue to pursue a stable,
principled foreign policy that advances Canada’s interests.
The Canadian Armed Forces play a crucial role
in defending our sovereignty
and national security.
As the Canadian mission in Afghanistan transitions to training,
diplomacy and development, our Government
joins Canadians in honouring those who gave their lives
and in recognizing the sacrifice and achievements
of all the men and women,
both military and civilian,
who have served and continue to serve in Afghanistan.
Our Government will continue to recognize and support all veterans.
Today, as North Africa and the Middle East
are being transformed by their people,
the Canadian Armed Forces are standing tall with our allies
to protect civilians in Libya.
Our Government will hold a parliamentary debate
on the future of this important mission.
As part of our ongoing efforts to promote human rights,
our Government will create a new Office
of Religious Freedom
to help protect religious minorities
and to promote the pluralism that is essential
to the development of free and democratic societies.
We will also take action
to strengthen our national sovereignty.
Our Government is committed to protecting
the integrity of our immigration system.
It will introduce measures to address marriage fraud—
an abuse of our system that can victimize
unsuspecting Canadians and vulnerable immigrants.
Our Government will also reintroduce legislation
to combat human smuggling,
which can place migrants in dangerous conditions
and undermine trust in Canada’s immigration system.
Our Government has made Canada’s North
a cornerstone of its agenda.
The strongest expression of our sovereignty
comes through presence and actions, not words.
Our Government will continue to exercise leadership
in the stewardship of northern lands and waters.
It is also committed to working with the Northwest Territories
and the private sector to complete
the Dempster Highway
by linking Inuvik to Tuktoyaktuk
thereby realizing Prime Minister Diefenbaker’s vision
of connecting Canada by road from sea to sea to sea.
Canada’s natural environment
shapes our national identity,
our health and our prosperity.
Our Government has expanded protected lands
and marine areas to an unprecedented extent,
so that current and future generations
can continue to enjoy them.
In this, the 100th anniversary year
of our national parks system,
our Government will create significant new protected areas.
It will work with provincial, regional, municipal,
Aboriginal and community stakeholders
toward establishing an urban national park
in the Rouge Valley of eastern Toronto.
Looking to the future,
our Government will engage a broad range
of stakeholders on the development of a
National Conservation Plan,
to move our conservation objectives forward
and better connect all Canadians with nature.
Our Government is committed to developing
Canada’s extraordinary resource wealth
in a way that protects the environment.
It will support major new clean energy projects
of national or regional significance,
such as the planned Lower Churchill hydroelectricity project
in Atlantic Canada.
It will engage the provinces, territories and industry
on ways to improve the regulatory
and environmental assessment process for resource projects,
while ensuring meaningful consultation
with affected communities, including Aboriginal communities.
Beyond our natural heritage,
Canadians also cherish our shared history.
Anniversaries are an important part of how a society
marks its collective progress
and defines its goals for the future.
A key milestone next year will be
the bicentennial of the War of 1812.
We will remember
how those of diverse backgrounds
and various regions
came together to fight for Canada,
ensuring the independent destiny
of our country in North America.
We will also celebrate the 200th anniversary
of the Selkirk Settlement, which marks the founding of Manitoba
and the early days of the modern West.
Next year we will observe
Her Majesty’s Diamond Jubilee,
celebrating her six decades of service as Queen of Canada.
And Canadians look forward,
in just a few weeks’ time, to welcoming
Their Royal Highnesses The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge
on their first Royal Tour since their marriage this spring.
The Government of Canada has no more fundamental duty
than to protect the personal safety of our citizens
and defend against threats to our national security.
Our Government will move quickly to reintroduce
comprehensive law-and-order legislation
to combat crime and terrorism.
These measures will protect children from sex offenders.
They will eliminate house arrest and pardons for serious crimes.
They will give law enforcement officials, courts
and victims the legal tools they need
to fight criminals and terrorists.
Our Government will continue to protect
the most vulnerable in society
and work to prevent crime.
It will propose tougher sentences
for those who abuse seniors
and will help at risk youth
avoid gangs and criminal activity.
It will address the problem
of violence against women and girls.
Our Government has always believed
the interests of law-abiding citizens
should be placed ahead of those of criminals.
Canadians who are victimized or threatened by crime
deserve their government’s support and protection,
and they should have the right to take reasonable steps
to defend themselves and their property
when the police cannot be there to assist them.
Our Government will reintroduce legislation
to clarify and strengthen laws on self-defence,
defence of property and citizen’s arrest.
Our Government will also continue to implement
its response to the Air India Report.
In addition to guarding the interests
of our nation as a whole,
our Government will continue taking action
to address the needs and aspirations
of every region of the country.
Local communities are best placed to overcome
their unique challenges,
but government can help
create the conditions for these communities
—and the industries that sustain them—to succeed.
Canada’s rural communities are rich in history and culture,
and generations of rural Canadians
have worked hard and played by the rules.
They should not be the target of unfair laws.
Our Government will act on its promise
to introduce legislation to end the wasteful
and ineffective long-gun registry.
Canada’s traditional industries remain crucial to our economy.
Our Government has always stood behind
Canada’s agricultural, forestry,
fishing, mineral, manufacturing and energy sectors—
and will continue to support them
as they innovate and grow.
It will also introduce legislation to ensure that western farmers
have the freedom to sell wheat
and barley on the open market.
Canada’s Aboriginal peoples are central to Canada’s history,
and our Government has made it a priority
to renew and deepen our relationship.
The contribution of Canada’s Aboriginal peoples
will be important to our future prosperity.
Concerted action is needed to address
the barriers to social and economic participation
that many Aboriginal Canadians face.
Our Government will work with Aboriginal communities,
provinces and territories to meet this challenge.
It will help open the door to greater economic development
by providing new investments in
First Nations Land Management.
It will promote access to clean water
and the deployment of clean energy technology
in Aboriginal and northern communities.
Building on the work of the National Panel
on First Nation Elementary and Secondary Education,
our Government will engage with partners to make concrete,
positive changes to give First Nations children
a better education so that they can realize their dreams.
We will also expand adult basic education programming
in the territories to help to increase education
and employment levels.
Our Government will also introduce legislation
to ensure that people living on reserve
have the same matrimonial real property rights and protections
as other Canadians.
Canada’s diverse communities
are connected by shared values and aspirations,
and by the willingness to lend a hand.
This has been markedly evident in the
response of ordinary Canadians to recent and devastating floods and wildfires.
Our Government recognizes the resolve and courage
shown by Canadian communities in the face of adversity
and will stand by them in their times of need.
In these and all other measures our Government will pursue,
we will provide the principled,
accountable leadership and good,
clean government that Canadians deserve.
On first taking office, our Government introduced
major new accountability legislation
as its first act in the Thirty-ninth Parliament,
and it will now move forward on its long-standing
commitment to democratic reform.
Reform of the Senate remains a priority for our Government.
Our Government will reintroduce legislation
to limit term lengths
and to encourage provinces and territories
to hold elections for Senate nominees.
Canadians rightly expect fairness and accountability
in the full range of government institutions that serve them.
Our Government will reintroduce legislation
to restore fair representation in the House of Commons.
It will take steps to phase out direct taxpayer subsidies
to federal political parties over the next three years.
It will support transparency
for First Nations communities
by requiring their chiefs and councillors
to publish their salaries and expenses.
Our Government will also support the efforts
of the Public Service to modernize the way
it works so that it can continue to provide the highest standard
of service to Canadians.
In filling the two upcoming vacancies
on the Supreme Court of Canada,
our Government will engage parliamentarians
through the transparent process first used in 2006.
Our Government will also ensure that citizens,
the private sector and other partners
have improved access to the workings of government
through open data, open information and open dialogue.
As Canadians, we take pride in our history
and look forward to our future
as the true North, strong and free.
From our earliest days,
we have always come together
to advance our common purpose,
each of us ready to do our part
to move Canada forward.
Building on the careful investments
and decisive actions of the past five years,
our Government will move swiftly to deliver
the next important phase of the Economic Action Plan.
Our Government will reflect the courage Canadians show
in meeting the challenges of today
and their determination to rise
to those they see on the horizon.
Members of the House of Commons,
you will be asked to appropriate the funds required
to carry out the services
and expenditures authorized by Parliament.
Honourable Senators and Members of the House of Commons,
let the work of our great democracy
support Canadians as they go about fashioning
a twenty-first century destiny limited only
by their ambition and imagination.
May Divine Providence
guide you in your deliberations
and make you equal to the trust bestowed upon you.