More changes and innovations from the Throne speech

Times Contributor 

 

The Governor General David Johnston delivered his Speech from the Throne in parliament on Oct. 16. The following are some of the initiatives that the government will endeavour to put in place for the coming year.

 

Government Crime 

and punishment

A Victim’s Rights Bill will be developed. Increased powers of policing and tools to reduce cyber-bullying, and criminalization for the distribution of non-consensual intimate images will be implemented. Protection of public safety is jeopardized when violent offenders are released. 

They will now eliminate early release for those offenders. Child sex offenders will not receive sentencing discounts. Changes will be made to ensure a life sentence is enforced, with no early release, and serious repeat offenders will not gain early releases. Investigations for missing aboriginal woman will get support, and prostitution laws will remain to protect against victimization of women. Harsher penalties will be in place for harm given to police service animals.

 

Addiction and Social Issues

Families will have a say where drug injection sites are located. Prescription drug addiction will be reviewed, eliminating loop-holes for prescription drug abuse while under doctor supervision. Development of ideas were suggested by reference to the Call for Concepts for Social Finance, which involves private and non-profit organization involvement in community services. They will support building strategies used to combat homelessness. 

 

Environment

They will continue to protect national wilderness lands and work with communities, organizations and business to put more green space in urban areas, improve air quality  and reduction of greenhouse gases. 

 

Military

A promise is made to put front-line capability before back-office bureaucracy.  They will increase the monitoring of cyber-bullying and terrorist threats. Military reserves will gain an increased profile and their employers will receive increased assistance, such as:

• An enhanced Veterans Charter; 

• Dignified funerals for deceased veterans 

• Reduced red tape to access veteran benefits 

• Five billion additional dollars in benefits and programs. 

• Help for homeless veterans

• Helmets to Hardhats program enhancement 

 

Northern Development

An armed forces Arctic Training centre will be opened and expansion of the Rangers program will occur. Northern Economic Development agency will be created. Mapping of the northern seabeds will be done, to assert territorial rights. 

Investment in social services and healthcare for northern populations will take place. The North West Territorial agreement will be dissolved and negotiations of an new agreement occur with Nunavut. They will complete the Dempster Highway. Development of a High Arctic Sea Research station will begin and the deep water Arctic port at Nanisivik will be made operational. Assistance in natural resource development will be offered. The traditional seal hunt for Inuit populations will be protected. They want to find Sir John Franklin’s lost expedition site.

 

Safety

The Railway Safety Act will be amended. Enforcement of additional insurance for rail operators and increased measures will be implemented for the transport of dangerous materials, to ensure safety for Canadians from rail accidents. The government will be developing a National Disaster Mitigation plan that will reduce the impact on regions affected by natural disasters.

 

Immigration

A new skill-based model will be applied to immigration applications. The immigrant investor program will be revised and the Citizenship Act will be reformed. Immigration backlogs will be addressed. Right of Landing fees will be cut in half. Protection of  genuine refugees will be done, with help on reuniting families. Reduction measures to decrease fraudulent refugee claims will be implemented. Ongoing efforts will be made to protect the rights and freedoms of all Canadians.