Scheer lays out Conservative priorities for throne speech in meeting with Trudeau

November 13, 2019

During a meeting with Justin Trudeau, Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer outlined his priorities for the upcoming speech from the throne.

Last week, Scheer called on Trudeau to immediately recall Parliament to deal with four pressing policy areas – keeping Canada strong and united, helping Canadians get ahead, restoring ethics and integrity in government, and getting the energy sector back to work.

In his meeting with Trudeau, Scheer laid out seven measures Conservatives want to see in Trudeau’s throne speech:

Keep Canada united and strong by launching a task force to study the establishment of a national energy corridor, which could bring Ontario and Quebec hydroelectricity to new markets, open up opportunities for Western Canadian oil and gas, and connect rural communities in Atlantic Canada and the North.

Help Canadians get ahead by offering broad-based tax relief, providing a date for balancing the budget, and proceeding with fair tax-free maternity benefits.

Restore ethics and accountability to government by introducing stronger penalties in the Conflict of Interest Act.

Get the energy sector back to work by tabling a detailed plan, with concrete deadlines, to build the Trans Mountain expansion and repealing Bills C-48 and C-69.

Take real action on the environment by drawing on policies from our Real Plan to Protect the Environment, such as the Green Patent Credit, the Canadian Clean brand, the Green Home Renovation Tax Credit, and ending raw sewage dumps.

Immediately fund regional transit expansion in the GTA, starting with the Ontario Line and Yonge Extension.

Reduce the paperwork burden on Quebecers by adopting a single tax return.

“In our meeting, I told Mr. Trudeau that Canada is as divided as it ever has been,” Scheer said. “The steps I outlined in my meeting with him are reasonable, achievable, and would begin to heal the divisions Trudeau sowed during the election campaign.”