Reactions to the minority Liberal government’s speech from the throne

OTTAWA — “The prime minister had an opportunity to present a real plan to Canadians, and he didn’t do that.” 

— Candice Bergen, deputy Conservative leader

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“I’m not surprised that the Liberal government and Prime Minister Trudeau put out a lot of nice words in this speech. They’re very good at doing that. They’ve done it in the past. But what they haven’t been able to show is that they can back up those words with action.”

— NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh

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“Ottawa has not listened to the urgent and legitimate demands of Quebec and the provinces, all of which need Ottawa to respect the jurisdictions of the government of Quebecers and those of the provinces, primarily in health.” 

— Bloc Québécois Leader Yves-François Blanchet

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“Disappointing throne speech for Quebec. Does not respect provinces’ jurisdiction over health. I am going to discuss it tomorrow with the premiers of the other provinces.” 

— Quebec Premier François Legault

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“Today the federal government missed a critical opportunity to commit to a desperately needed increase to the Canada Health Transfer. I will continue to work alongside my provincial counterparts to advocate that the federal government invest its fair share in health care.” 

— Ontario Premier Doug Ford

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“I very much look forward to new federal resources for child care, which is a shared priority and would be a key priority for a re-elected B.C. NDP government.”

— B.C. NDP Leader John Horgan

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“Alberta is disappointed that instead of listening to Canada’s provinces, the federal government doubled down on policies that will kill jobs, make Canada poorer and weaken national unity.”

— Alberta Premier Jason Kenney

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“I won’t be happy until I hear two words: royal assent.”

— National Chief Perry Bellegarde of the Assembly of First Nations, on First Nations policing as an essential service and the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples 

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“Today’s throne speech is an encouraging and hopeful signal for cities and communities, and is a clear statement that the federal government will be a partner to municipalities on the path forward.” — Bill Karsten, president of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities

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“We heard a lot of the right words today, but we’ve heard too many of these promises before to simply accept them on faith. It is time for our federal government to finally act — boldly and decisively — on the green energy and nature-based solutions that can put people to work solving our health, climate and inequality crises.”

— Keith Stewart, senior energy strategist, Greenpeace Canada

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“Opponents to the energy sector have been putting forward a ‘build back better’ model that excluded oil and gas, investments in jobs. The government was very clear that that’s not the ‘build back better’ plan that they have. In fact, their ‘build back better’ plan will rely on the energy sector for innovation, know-how, technology, but also for good-paying, long-lasting jobs. That was important pushback on a narrative that I think was very dangerous for Canada.”

— Tim McMillan, president of the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers

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“Students want to support Canada’s post-COVID-19 economic recovery. However, without adequate support from the government, students will be overburdened and continue to struggle to just make ends meet.”

— Bryn de Chastelain, chair of the Canadian Alliance of Student Associations

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 23, 2020.

The Canadian Press