The new minority government has delivered its broad outlook.(ID 128023061 © Robert St Pierre | Dreamstime.com)

By Nicole Reis

Response To New Government

Meadow Lake Chamber administrator responds to Throne Speech

Dec 6, 2019 | 5:59 PM

Justin Trudeau ushered in a new era of minority Liberal rule Thursday.

The Throne Speech, delivered by Governor General Julie Payette, offered few details of Trudeau’s agenda for his second mandate. Beyond reiterating Liberal campaign promises: stronger action to fight climate change, lower taxes for middle-class Canadians, beefed-up gun control, steps towards national pharmacare and investments in infrastructure, public transit, affordable housing and health care.

Trevor Dignean, administrator with the Chamber of Commerce, is a new resident to Meadow Lake. As a husband, father and hunting sportsman, he said watching the Throne Speech wasn’t a priority but the issues addressed in Ottawa directly affect him and his family.

“The last four years of my life, whether in Saskatoon or Meadow Lake, I found the cost of living to be quite a bit higher than it’s ever been. I don’t know if it’s income tax or the number of taxes [imposed] but it’s affected mine and my family’s life for sure,” he said.

The speech noted, “a clear majority of Canadians voted for ambitious climate action now,” and reiterated the Liberals’ pledge to maintain the national carbon price and achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.

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Net zero means greenhouse gas emissions are reduced so much the remaining emissions can be absorbed by natural or technological means, leaving none to remain trapped in the atmosphere.

“As far as climate goes, I’m still worried about it, but putting [in] tax dollars doesn’t seem like a solution either. I think it’s a matter of training people how to live differently, not something that could be fixed with tax dollars,” Dignean said.

The government vowed to fight climate change and Trudeau’s speech promised the government will, “work just as hard to get Canadian resources to new markets and offer unwavering support to the hardworking women and men in Canada’s natural resources sectors, many of whom have faced tough times recently.”

Andrew Scheer, who is facing a battle to hang on as Conservative leader, condemned the speech for failing to admit Trudeau’s responsibility for triggering a “national unity crisis” and putting the boots to the energy sector with misguided climate change policies and environmental bills.

Sheer said he’ll propose an amendment to the speech Friday, which would essentially replace the Liberal agenda with a Conservative one, including repealing Liberal environmental legislation and committing to creation of a national energy corridor. Scheer declined to say whether the amendment will amount to a confidence test for the government, which will depend on how it’s worded.

Addressing Canadians’ safety, Governor General Julie Payette said, “Municipalities and communities that want to ban handguns will be able to do so. And the Government will invest to help cities fight gang-related violence.”

Dignean said the federal government has their work cut out for them.

“In the short time I’ve been here, yes there has been some shootings. I don’t know if banning guns is the right answer or not,” Dignean said. “I’m a hunter and I have a rifle and I’m not sure how that would work. Is it the bad guy who will abide by rules or is it going to be the honest sportsman who will suffer or those who registers their weapon?”

— With files from CKOM, Joanna Smith, Joan Bryden, The Canadian Press

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nicole.reis@jpbg.ca

Twitter: @nicole.reis7722