Throne Speech Provides High Level Overview of Government's Legislative Agenda 

Given that Premier Ford's winning platform in the recent Ontario general election was protecting Ontario from the economic assault that has been brought upon the province by US President Donald, the themes of the Speech from the Throne read by Lieutenant Governor, Edith Dumont, were unsurprising.  She delivered the speech, which marks the start of the 44th Ontario Parliament and highlights the new government's plans going forward, in the legislative chamber at Queen's Park on the afternoon of April 15th. 

Not long into the script, the LG stated, "South of the border, President Donald Trump is openly taking aim at Ontario's economy and our national sovereignty."  She went on to say "Because Canada is not for sale.  Canada will never be the 51st state." 

Here are some highlights from the speech: 

  • The $11 billion in relief for Ontario workers and businesses already announced was noted.  This includes the recently announced $2 billion distribution of surplus funds in the WSIB's collective liability investment fund. 
  • There was a pledge to support the sectors most impacted by the trade war with the US, particularly noting the auto sector 
  • Because America has become a fundamentally unreliable partner, Ontario must build a more competitive, more resilient and more self-reliant economy that can stand on its own 
  • There will be a focus on further innovation in the province's public service  
  • As rumoured, one of the government's first pieces of legislation introduced in the new session will be to knock down interprovincial trade barriers.  "Goods produced and services provided in other provinces and territories will be treated the same in Ontario, provided other provinces and territories do the same." "Hard-earned credentials from other provinces and territories will be recognized automatically, ensuring highly skilled workers from elsewhere in Canada can get on the job faster, fill key gaps in Ontario's labour force and help grow our economy." 
  • "Your government will champion new pipelines eastward, westward, north and south, connecting Alberta oil to new refineries, new tidewater, and beyond it, new markets." 

With respect to critical minerals, here are a few quotes:

  • "Ontario has the minerals the world needs"   
  • "we need to get our critical minerals out of the ground, processed and shipped to the factory floors, building for the future."  
  • "As its second order of business, your government will introduce bold new legislation to unlock the Ring of Fire." 
  • Minerals mined in Ontario will be refined in Ontario…." 

With regard to electricity generation and transmission to meet demand projected to grow by 75% in the next 25 years: 

  • Next, your government will invest unprecedented amounts in new energy production, transmission and storage to transform our province into a global clean energy superpower, able to export clean energy and technology across the continent and beyond. 
  • Your government is also working with interested municipalities and First Nations to dramatically expand Ontario's energy generating capacity, including exploring building the first new large-scale nuclear power plants in the province in more than 30 years in Bruce County and Port Hope. 

With respect to infrastructure investment: 

  • "Ontario will invest over $200 billion in its plan to build…." An increase of $10 billion 
  • …….it (the government) will promote and prioritize made-in-Ontario and made-in-Canada products, including making Ontario and Canadian steel, cement, forestry and other construction materials mandatory for government-funded infrastructure projects." 
  • The plan to build will include new and upgraded roads and highways in every part of the province and the controversial building of a tunnel expressway and transitway under highway 401, public transit, the Northlander and Go expansion 
  • Ontario's plan ………is making a historic 10-year, $50 billion investment to build and upgrade more than 50 hospitals across the province. 

On the matter of expediting home building: 

  • "Your government will also continue to make historic investments to build the local infrastructure needed to unlock new homes." 
  • "the province will leverage these growing investments to work with municipalities to lower their costly local development fees that add hundreds of thousands of dollars to the cost of a new home for Ontario families." 
  • "At the same time, your government will standardize and bring more transparency to the cost and timelines of building homes, including for local development charges, study requirements and Building Code permit approvals." 

With regard to training: 

  • "Your government will expand its investments in training and skills development so more people can benefit from the dignity of a hard-earned paycheque." 
  • "Your government will also continue to support Ontario's colleges and universities, including with increased funding for training capacity and programs designed to fill critical gaps in the province's workforce." 

 

The complete text of the Speech from the Throne can be accessed by clicking on the following link:  https://news.ontario.ca/en/speech/1005781/protect-ontario