Canada PoliticsStephen Harper takes to Twitter to lay out the government’s agenda ahead of throne speech
Stephen Harper has taken to social media to give Canadians some hints about his government's Speech from the Throne to be presented by Governor General David Johnston this afternoon in Ottawa.
On Wednesday morning — through a long series of tweets — the prime minister listed some of his government's successes over the past term and then outlined, in general terms, some of his priorities for the next couple of years.
We are on track to balance our budget. We are expanding our trade. #SFT13 #cdnpoli
— Stephen Harper (@pmharper) October 16, 2013
We will soon complete negotiations on a Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement with the European Union. #SFT13 #cdnpoli — Stephen Harper (@pmharper) October 16, 2013
By responsibly developing our resources, by taking all of these steps, we will continue creating jobs & opportunities for Canadians. #SFT13
— Stephen Harper (@pmharper) October 16, 2013
Always remember, it was our Government that reduced taxes across the board for families, small business, and seniors. #SFT13 #cdnpoli — Stephen Harper (@pmharper) October 16, 2013
We will also continue to work to protect Canadian consumers. Canadians deserve choice, fair treatment, competitive prices. #SFT13 #cdnpoli
— Stephen Harper (@pmharper) October 16, 2013
We will continue to build on our efforts to tackle crime. #SFT13 #cdnpoli — Stephen Harper (@pmharper) October 16, 2013
With the celebrations leading to Confederation’s 150th birthday in 2017, we are reminded that, from our earliest days...
— Stephen Harper (@pmharper) October 16, 2013
... back when railways bound our new country together, we Conservatives have always been nation-builders. #SFT13 #cdnpoli — Stephen Harper (@pmharper) October 16, 2013
[ Related: What to expect in the Harper government’s Throne Speech ]
Harper even used the opportunity to take some jabs at the opposition parties:
Today, you will hear from the Governor General. In #SFT13, he will tell Cdns how our govt will build upon the foundations we have laid.
— Stephen Harper (@pmharper) October 16, 2013
Obviously, I am not going to pre-empt what His Excellency will say. But I can tell you what we won’t say... #SFT13 #cdnpoli — Stephen Harper (@pmharper) October 16, 2013
There’ll be no 20 billion-dollar carbon tax. #SFT13 #cdnpoli
— Stephen Harper (@pmharper) October 16, 2013
There’ll be no reckless economic experiments with people’s livelihoods. #SFT13 #cdnpoli — Stephen Harper (@pmharper) October 16, 2013
And legalizing drugs is not on our agenda. #SFT13 #cdnpoli
— Stephen Harper (@pmharper) October 16, 2013
Meanwhile, Liberal leader Justin Trudeau used traditional media, on Wednesday, to tell Canadians what his focus of the next parliamentary session will be.
[ Related: Opposition set to attack Tories on Senate expense scandals as Parliament resumes ]
Here's as excerpt from a column, he penned for the Globe and Mail:
As Parliament returns this week, I am recommitting to stay focused on the priorities of hardworking Canadians. The Prime Minister may prefer to focus on the politics of the day and on making personal attacks against me, but I will remain focused on Canadians; on finding solutions for families who are looking to get ahead, provide for their children and loved ones; on enhancing and championing the prospects of middle class Canadians, seniors and youth; on raising the bar on openness and accountability; and on fighting for an inclusive, united Canada where our diversity is held up as a strength and never a weakness.
The people whose common values bind this country together have been left out long enough. It is time we had political leadership in this country that is devoted to changing this.
The Speech from the Throne will be read by the Governor General at 4:30 pm (EST).
Check back at Yahoo Canada News for continued reporting and analysis of the speech.
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