By Pete McIntyre

MP says throne speech ‘lacking vision, details’

Dec 5, 2019 | 5:52 PM

The M-P from North Okanagan Shuswap is calling the Liberal government’s throne speech short on details and lacking vision.

Mel Arnold of the Conservatives says the Trudeau government had the opportunity to present a clear plan of how it intends to support and secure communities, economies and collective future.

“Rather than presenting a clear plan for the future, the Trudeau government presented a vague agenda, short on details and lacking in vision,” said Arnold, who won a second term in the Oct. 21 election.

Arnold is concerned the Liberals were silent on B.C.’s forestry crisis, and its unfulfilled promise to balance the budget.

“Over the past months, many constituents told me they are concerned about rising public debt and the Trudeau government’s plan to further increase spending while also reducing revenues raises serious questions of how our national debt can be managed. The throne speech was also silent on the mounting crisis in British Columbia’s forestry sector that drives many rural and urban economies across our province, including the North Okanagan- Shuswap,” stated Arnold.

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On a positive note, Arnold says the speech did mention several issues he supports.

“The speech did touch on issues that I have been seeking federal support for including housing, resources for fighting the opioid crisis, bolstering the capacities of our public health system and supporting health services and safe water supplies in Indigenous communities.”

The Liberal government’s first throne speech since winning a minority government puts the environment as a priority in their second mandate.

It sets a target to achieve net zero emissions by 2050, calling it an ambitious but necessary goal for both environmental protection and economic growth.

The Liberals say their first order of business will be to deliver a tax cut for the middle class that they promised during the election campaign.

The Liberals are also promising to cut the cost of cellphone and wireless service by 25 per cent.

NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh says he isn’t satisfied with the throne speech.

But he says the goal is not to tear down the government, but make it work for people.

Singh says he wants to hold talks with the Liberals to push for more initiatives that Canadians need.

(With files from Canadian Press)

by Pete McIntyre

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