Strengthening overseas trade in an increasingly competitive global market was one of the many areas covered in the federal government's lengthy throne speech this week.
On Wednesday, Gov. Gen. David Johnston delivered the throne speech in the Senate chamber, laying out the Conservative government's agenda for the next session of Parliament, including a plethora of promises leading up to the 2015 election.
Expanding trade with the European Union as well as with markets in Asia and the Americas was an integral part of the message. Delta-Richmond East MP Kerry-Lynne Findlay, in an interview with the Optimist the following day, said Canada has already launched its most ambitious trade agenda, most recently concluding free trade agreements with nine countries, while negotiating with another 60.
"We do expect to complete what is a very comprehensive agreement with the European Union," said Findlay, the minister of national revenue. "That has the potential to create about 80,000 new Canadian jobs. We're also expanding trade with the emerging markets in Asia and the Americas. This Trans-Pacific partnership is an important group of countries we're engaging with, in active negotiations with Japan, South Korea and India.
"The fact of the matter is we have an opportunity here right now, with the wealthy country we are and with our stable economy, to take advantage of opportunities globally."
Home to the largest container port in the country, South Delta already figures prominently in the government's Asia-Pacific Gateway and Corridor Initiative, which has Port Metro Vancouver as one of the partner agencies. The port is planning a major container terminal expansion at Roberts Bank in the next few years, partnering in a number of road and rail upgrade projects planned or now underway in Delta.
Noting they will also work on eliminating barriers between provinces, Findlay said the government will spend billions on additional infrastructure projects.
The speech also noted that the country's natural resources have the potential to benefit generations of Canadians.
"A lack of key infrastructure threatens to strand these resources at a time when global demand for Canadian energy is soaring," Johnston read.
That pledge will obviously put even more focus on already controversial pipeline plans and their resulting tanker traffic, but Findlay noted stringent, "world class" safeguard
initiatives would be implemented.
The government also renewed its commitment to the Canada Job Grant, one of a series of employment measures aimed at trades training. Other components of the throne speech touched on law and order, including a tough new approach to cyber bullying.
The speech also had consumer measures, including the unbundling of cable channels, amending liquor laws so Canadians can take beer and spirits across provincial boundaries as well as efforts to lower the price gap between Canadian and American goods.
Other pledges included not only a balanced budget by 2015, but also legislation limiting Ottawa's ability to run budget shortfalls.
