Publishing Date
The Honourable Governor General Mary Simon delivered the federal Throne Speech on November 23rd, which highlights the federal government’s priorities as Parliament prepares to resume. The Speech highlights efforts to address the pandemic and measures to support an economic recovery.
Of particular interest to local governments, the Throne Speech commits to:
Housing
- Increasing the flexibility of the First Time Home Buyers Incentive
- Creating a new Rent to Own program
- Reducing closing costs for first time buyers
Child Care
- Continuing to build the first-ever Canada-wide early learning and child care system
Climate Action
- Moving to cut and cap oil and gas sector emissions while accelerating the path to a 100 percent net-zero electricity future
- Investing in public transit and mandating the sale of zero emissions vehicles
- Strengthening action to prevent and prepare for floods, wildfires, droughts, coastline erosion, and other extreme weather worsened by climate change
First Nations Reconciliation
- Investing in a distinctions-based mental health and wellness strategy, guided by Indigenous Peoples, survivors, and their families
- Accelerating the work with Indigenous partners to address the national tragedy of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women
- Ensuring fair and equitable compensation for those harmed by the First Nations Child and Family Services program