Liberals promise to end pandemic, fight climate change and rebuild economy in throne speech | CBC News

“Already, I have seen how Canadians are committed to reconciliation. Indigenous Peoples are reclaiming our history,  stories, culture and language through action,” Simon said in an embargoed version of the speech sent to media outlets.

“Non-Indigenous peoples are coming to understand and accept the true impact of the past and the pain suffered by generations of Indigenous Peoples. Together, they are walking the path toward reconciliation.”

Simon said that, to strengthen that relationship, the federal government will take action on health care and climate change and get to the root of what took place at residential schools across the country.

Since the early spring, several Indigenous communities across the country have reported the discovery of hundreds of unmarked graves at the sites of former residential schools.

Simon thanked MPs and civil servants for their work on fighting the pandemic but said more still needs to be done.

“Priority number one remains getting the pandemic under control,” she said. “The best way to do that is vaccination.”

Simon said that effort will require strengthening the health care system across the country and supports for seniors, veterans and people with disabilities.

Simon said the Liberal government is committing to supporting and promoting the French language, both in and outside of Quebec, by reintroducing the proposed Act for the Substantive Equality of French and English.

Earlier this year, the Liberal government said that because digital technology encourages the use of English over French, it would reinforce the place of French in Canada by using the act to guarantee the right to work in French in federally regulated private businesses with more than 50 employees.

“To support Canadian culture and creative industries, the government will also reintroduce legislation to reform the Broadcasting Act and ensure web giants pay their fair share for the creation and promotion of Canadian content,” Simon said.

The economy and the environment

“There is work to be done. On accessibility. On care in rural communities. On delayed procedures. On mental health and addiction treatment. On long-term care,” she said.

Improving the quality of life for Canadians, she said, means making life more affordable for everyone. 

“While Canada’s economic performance is better than many of our partners, we must keep tackling the rising cost of living,” she said. “To do that, the government’s plan includes two major priorities — housing and child care.”

Simon cited the Liberal government’s goal of capping and cutting oil and gas sector emissions while working toward a “net-zero electricity future.”

Guns, floods, conversion therapy

“The government will also strengthen action to prevent and prepare for floods, wildfires, droughts, coastline erosion and other extreme weather worsened by climate change,” Simon said.

The Liberal government is also pledging to continue its gun control efforts by implementing a “mandatory buyback” program for banned assault-style weapons and to work with any province or territory that wants to ban handguns.

Simon said the Liberal government will also ensure the ban on conversion therapy is realized.

After months of debate and some Conservative opposition, the last bill on this topic died on the order paper when the government called the September election.