Lieutenant-Government Judy Foote delivered the new Liberal government’s agenda for the 50th General Assembly of the House of Assembly this morning.
The Throne Speech is designed to give a broad overview of the direction and priorities for the new government. It certainly does that, with nothing close to specifics in the short, 12-page document.
While the contents are usually kept under wraps until they’re read aloud, Premier Andrew Furey has made no secret of where his mind is for the upcoming session, with many of his earlier mantras now in black and white.
The speech alludes to the Moya Greene report coming “in short order,” noting she will set out the facts and suggest a course of action to deal with the province’s fiscal desperation. But, there are still no hard dates on when it will be delivered.
The effects of the pandemic, climate change, the oil industry, and renewable energy are all highlighted, with the Premier also promising what he calls “modern successes” in the fishery.
As advertised, immigration is also a key priority, as is tackling the crippling debt, with the Premier telling MHAs the time is now to choose between the status quo or serious change to dig the province out of the desperate financial hole that it finds itself in.
The following are speaking notes delivered at the opening of the First Session of the 50th General Assembly by Lieutenant Governor Judy M. Foote:
