Trudeau is in talks with the Opposition for the “ambitious” Throne Speech

On Thursday, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau communicated with various opposition leaders to seek their inputs for his upcoming throne speech scheduled for 23rd Sept.

Trudeau’s speech next week is crucial as it will be followed by the vote of confidence. The Liberal Party led Trudeau Government would require support of at least one opposition party to win the support of the House and thus also to prevent the country from going into early elections.

Critics have already dubbed his throne speech next week as an attempt of the Trudeau Administrations “empty gesture”. The government officials have responded that there is always a possibility of making last minute tweaks to the speech.

The Bloc Quebecois have stressed on the inclusion of more funding to provinces for the purpose of healthcare, given the present pandemic. Bloc’s Yves Francois Blanchet has rather warned the Government by saying that,” Trudeau may surf on the fear of a second wave, which could push back the possibility of an election, but we will not lower our expectations for such reasons”.

Elizabeth May, representing Green Party, made a staunch point suggesting that she along with her two colleagues in the lower house “are not prepared as Greens to support a speech from the throne that leaves out climate action”. Believing that due to the present emphasis on successfully dealing with COVID-19, the ever paramount issue of climate change could go unnoticed in PM’s speech. Thus, in an interview she stated, ” I think you have to do both at the same time and that’s what I stressed with the Prime Minister is we don’t have the luxury of time.”

Trudeau’s remark on Wednesday at his cabinet retreat, that the 23rd throne speech will be an ambitious plan for a healthier, safer, fairer, cleaner and more inclusive Canada.  It is being widely expected that the focus will be on COIVD-19 pandemic. It may include measures to avoid another possible lockdown, various short term as well as long term measures to boost the economy.

Trudeau is also likely to get in touch with other opposition leaders such as Conservative Leader Erin O’Toole and NDP leader Jagmeet Singh today.