Trudeau Appeals To Canadians After Tories, Bloc Say They Can’t Support Throne Speech
OTTAWA — In the face of rising COVID-19 infections, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Wednesday it’s likely Canadians have lost the chance to gather together for Thanksgiving, but there’s still a shot at Christmas.
Trudeau delivered a rare national address Wednesday, asking Canadians to be resilient in the face of a second wave of COVID-19 infections that he said is “already underway.” He repeated many of the promises outlined in the throne speech, read hours earlier by Governor General Julie Payette, pledging to protect Canadians’ incomes during the coronavirus pandemic.
“The federal government will have your back, whatever it takes, to help you get through this crisis,” Trudeau said in the televised address broadcast from his Ottawa office.
Watch: Tam urges Canadians to limit contacts again as COVID-19 cases rise. Story continues below video.
The throne speech marks the opening of a new parliamentary session. The previous session came to a close last month after the prime minister asked the Governor General to prorogue Parliament.
Trudeau spoke to Canadians directly through the live address after opposition parties voiced their disappointment in the throne speech. The prime minister had previously set expectations that it would be a blueprint for the “economic recovery of our generation.”
The 17-page speech highlighted an “ambitious” COVID-19 recovery plan which includes proposals to extend the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy through to next summer and create a national child-care system. It’s a non-binding document that serves to outline the government’s agenda for an upcoming session of Parliament.
It paid special attention to women — particularly those who earn low incomes — who have been hardest hit by the pandemic, said Payette.
“We must not let the legacy of the pandemic be one of rolling back the clock on women’s participation in the workforce, nor one of backtracking on the social and political gains women and allies...
