Speech from the Throne: Part IV

Tonight, Her Excellency, the Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean opened the 2nd Session of the 39th Parliament of Canada. The following is NOT a transcript, but my rather frenzied notes on the Throne Speech. The notes begin here, in Part I. A reminder for non-Canadians: this speech was written by our Conservative Prime Minister, Stephen Harper.
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...Part IV

The Economy

• Canada's economic "fundamentals" are strong
• The "Advantage Canada" program: Minister of Finance will outline next steps in infrastructure, business environment, and a tax system that rewards "hard work" (Blechh...he really loves that phrase, as my buddy Steve V remembers)
• Guv will provide "broad based tax relief for individuals, businesses and families" and a further cut to the GST
• provide attention to researchers and innovators: "Canada's Science and Technology Strategy" (note: this is a private sector thing. Full disclosure: I take this rather personally as an out-of-work scientist)
• Guv will focus on cultural and intellectual property rights, including copyright reform
• will sort out Employment Insurance account (??), pay attention to the cost of "higher education," care for elderly, affordable housing and homelessness (no plans, but Harper will mention these issues in his speech for you. Feel better?)
• "Working Income Tax Benefit," and the "Registered Disabilities Savings Plan" (this is becoming a laundry list--all bones and no meat)

Infrastructure, Agriculture, Resources and Industry (this is a real 'grab bag')

• Infrastructure: "Building Canada Plan" (October 9, 2007); includes plans for the Windsor/Detroit corridor, Atlantic & Pacific gateways, roads, bridges, etc. Improvements to cultural infrastructure)
• Guv will (what? pay attention to? gut? doom?) forestry, fisheries, manufacturing and tourism industries
• Agriculture: investment in biofuels and "the Going Forward Program" (I must have mis-heard this one); will respect farmers referendum on wheat and barley
• Mining and resource sectors: "single window for major public approval" (I have to look this up later...I have no idea what he's talking about)

(Return to Part III or Continue to Part V)