Nurse practitioners setting up practice at no cost to the patient, the hiring of new RNC and RCMP officers, “fair and equitable” access to the national pharmacare plan, and a commitment not to increase provincial taxes on gas or diesel this year are among the priorities outlined in yesterday’s Speech from the Throne.
Vowing to move with “urgency and purpose,” the Wakeham government is prioritizing lowering taxes and reducing the cost of living.
Lieutenant Governor Joan Marie Aylward read the Speech from the Throne yesterday, marking the start of the spring legislative session.
Lieutenant Governor Joan Marie Aylward delivering the Speech from the Thorne (HoA)
Premier Wakeham is vowing the permanent repeal of the sugar tax that “unfairly punished lower-income families,” and ensuring that gas and diesel taxes will not increase in the next year. He’s also promising to increase the basic personal exemption, allowing Newfoundlanders and Labradorians to make more money before having to pay taxes.
Yesterday’s speech also outlined a commitment to develop more reliable infrastructure, and promised to improve proficiency in math and literacy, expand skilled trades programs, create apprenticeship pathways in high schools, and build a tourism industry based on “authentic, local experiences.”
Liberal Leader John Hogan (VOCM News)
Meanwhile, the Opposition Liberals say they heard a lot of promises from the Wakeham government during yesterday’s throne speech, but it’s up to them to keep them.
The 40-minute speech ran through each department, promising a number of items, many of which were outlined in the PC’s campaign blue book.
Liberal Leader John Hogan says he plans on holding Premier Wakeham to his election promises in the House of Assembly.
“We certainly heard a lot during the election about promises. I think everything I’ve heard from people since then is there were a lot of promises made,” he told reporters yesterday.
“And as I said in the House of Assembly, it’s their promises to keep. And they did make those promises, and there’s an expectation that they’ll live on those promises….they’re expected to deliver on everything.”
NDP Leader Jim Dinn (VOCM News)
NDP Leader Jim Dinn says with all the promises, cuts will have to be made.
He’s now asking government what they plan on cutting next.
He says Wakeham’s promises of safer communities, lower taxes and better healthcare will be hard to achieve, given the current fiscal climate.
