What The Throne Speech And What Was Left Out Means For Canadians

In Ottawa this week, Prime Minister Stephen Harper kicked off a new session of Parliament with a speech from the throne by Governor General David Johnston.  The speech was considered by many an unofficial kickoff to the 2015 election, though the government insists the speech is a roadmap of legislative policies for the next two years.

In the days leading up to the speech, members of Harper’s inner circle suggested the throne speech would be very ‘consumer friendly.’ The government admittedly is attempting to rebrand itself as a champion of middle-class families who are struggling with monthly expenses like cellphone bills, rent or mortgage payments, and even high credit card fees.

Commentators believe the speech was more political than advertised as many remarks read by Johnston were considered fodder to shore up the Conservative base that Harper can ill afford to lose.  These topics included nods to the government tough on crime agenda, a pledge to make deficits illegal, vows to cut more bureaucratic red tape, and even renewed defense of the controversial pipeline plans.

However to the government’s credit, there were many commitments that, if acted upon actually will help many Canadian families.  One issue that trumps others for many families is the cost of monthly cellphone bills, particularly roaming charges that are difficult for the average user to understand.  Though there was no mention of how the issue would be addressed, Johnston read aloud that the government will “take steps to reduce roaming costs and networks within Canada.”

The cost of banking fees was another issue mentioned in the speech, and the government plans to expand “no-cost basic banking services” for more Canadians.  Monthly bank fees in Canada are among the highest in the developed world, and the government appears to have heard the hostility from average Canadians about paying those charges.

The speech also touched on recent events in Alberta and Quebec that will raise insurance rates for homeowners and travellers across the country.  The floods that devastated Calgary and the train explosion in Lac-Mégantic will cost the government – and ultimately taxpayers billions of dollars to finance the recoveries.  Johnston read aloud that the government will “develop a National Disaster Mitigation Program,” which insiders speculate will be similar to the system in the US.

One issue that was expected to dominate the speech was commitments to reform the airline industry, particularly rules to prevent overbooked flights.  But there was no mention of the issue in the speech, despite recent incidences of overbooked Air Canada flights.

There was also little mention of increasing environmental protection laws beyond vague statements that contained few details.  The absence is notable as the government reaffirmed its support for resource extraction from the Alberta oilsands, and commitments to develop pipelines east, west, and south.

But the most notable issue absent from the speech was the Senate – ironic as the speech was delivered in the Senate.  Canada’s upper house of Parliament has long been considered by the public as an eyesore filled with overpaid government supporters who are held to little accountability.  Canadians feel there are different rules for Senators that would charge any ordinary citizen with fines or prison time if used by people anywhere outside Ottawa.

The scandals involving former Conservative appointees that began earlier this year are still top of mind for many Canadians.  Mike Duffy is at the centre of an RCMP investigation into illegal housing expense claims, while Pamela Wallin is also under investigation for charging taxpayers for personal travel expenses.

The government had an opportunity to acknowledge the problems, show remorse for the mistakes, and commit to reform for the future.  But instead, there was no mention of the elephant that was the room, and the Prime Minister quickly boarded a plane to Europe to close a trade deal before questions about the Senate began again.

The government repeatedly said the throne speech was to hit the reset button, and be the foundation of a new agenda for the next two years.  Credit is due to the ideas that will help many Canadians live more affordably, but there must be follow-through.  Pledges mean nothing without action, and this government has a history of making statements to support consumer interests with little to no follow-up.

How Canadians judge the speech and the follow-up in the fall session of Parliament will be determined over the next few months.  But if the government hopes to change the channel on the Senate scandals, they must do all they can to help families save money – in the end, pocketbook issues are the secret weapon for an election.