Governor General Adrienne Clarkson officially opened the third session of the 37th Parliament with a Speech from the Throne that outlined an ambitious agenda with a wide range of goals.

February 02, 2004
Ottawa, Ontario

Prime Minister immediately gets underway with a new era of governing

Click here to go to the Speech from the Throne Web page.

Governor General Adrienne Clarkson officially opened the third session of the 37th Parliament with a Speech from the Throne that outlined an ambitious agenda with a wide range of goals.

Prime Minister Paul Martin delivered on a number of new initiatives that span three broad themes: strengthening social foundations; building a robust 21st century economy; and restoring Canada’s role in the world as one of influence and pride.

The long-anticipated launch of the government’s new agenda placed heavy emphasis on involving Canadians in the decisions they face as a country.

In line with this objective, among the key commitments unveiled in the speech was a clear promise to change the way things work in Ottawa by immediately introducing a democratic reform action plan.

The plan specifically called for the establishment of a new independent Ethics Commissioner and an Ethics Officer for the Senate, the creation of a new agency that would guarantee excellence in the public service, and the launch of an ongoing process of expenditure review overseen by a parliamentary committee.

The speech put special emphasis on social programs. The commitment to a high quality, publicly funded health care system, including reduced waiting times for important diagnoses and treatments, is a central part of the plan.

Other new social initiatives include child protection legislation and the implementation of a new strategy that will counter sexual exploitation of children on the internet, changes to the tax system that will benefit people with disabilities and their supporting families, and more resources aimed at giving Aboriginal communities a better quality of life, including a Centre for First Nations Governance, a renewed Aboriginal Human Resources Strategy and the expansion of the Urban Aboriginal Strategy.

Canadian municipalities received welcome news that they will receive a full rebate of the GST which will provide $7 billion in stable new funding over 10 years. They also received a promise that the federal government will create a long-term funding strategy that will involve sharing a portion of the gas tax or some similar mechanism, and include provinces in the debate. The “social economy” and the voluntary sector were strengthened by a promise to give them more tools to get the job done.

Also high on the agenda was a promise to balance sound fiscal management with investments in skills and training, new technologies and the environment.

The Martin government reiterated its commitment to the Kyoto Accord and promised to develop a solid climate change plan in cooperation with the provinces and other stakeholders. A 10-year, $3.5-billion program to clean-up contaminated sites, as well as a $500-million fund for the Sydney Tar Ponds in Nova Scotia, is also part of its overall sustainable development strategy.

Some of the major new initiatives include an overhaul of the Canada Student Loan Program to make it easier for students, particularly those with low- and middle-incomes, to have access to post-secondary education. Loan limits will also be increased. New incentives to build on the success of the Registered Education Savings plan will make it easier for low-income families to save for their children’s future. The government will also ensure more successful integration of new immigrants by ensuring speedier recognition of foreign credentials, prior work experience and work-place language skills.

In terms of natural resources, the government is promising to improve ocean management and governance by implementing a new Oceans Action Plan, and get underway a host of new regional and rural development projects. The government will provide greater access to capital for the commercialization of new technologies in the areas of health, biotechnology and nanotechnology.

Arts and culture will be bolstered through a modernized cultural policy that will make use of the new technologies of the digital age. Active participation in La Francophonie, a group of French-speaking nations, will also be emphasized.

Finally, the government made a move toward strengthening its reputation in the world by asking Canadians to participate in a comprehensive review of all its foreign policy.

Debt relief for countries that demonstrate a financial need, legislation that will provide cheap drugs to developing countries and an immediate investment in new military equipment such as the Sea King helicopters, are just some of the ways the government intends to bring Canadian values to the global fore. An unprecedented national security policy that reflects Canadian values and establishing a healthier relationship with our neighbours south of the border will further strengthen the country’s voice.


Click here to go to the Speech from the Throne Web page.