Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound MP Alex Ruff is calling the Trudeau Government’s Throne Speech ‘disappointing.’
He says in a statement, “There was really nothing fundamentally new the government hadn’t already announced over the last number of months, in the last throne speech, or during campaign promises over the last two federal elections.”
Ahead of the speech, Ruff said on Twitter he was looking to hear about agriculture supports, more support for broadband internet to rural areas, better supports for small business, changes to the commercial rent relief program, tourism support and aid for natural resources along with a resumption of parliamentary committees.
Ruff says, “I was disappointed there was no mention of support for our agriculture sector, limited support for rural and remote communities, no concrete plan to ensure that all Canadians have access to high speed internet ahead of the government’s 2030 timeline, no reference to any fiscal anchor to ensure our children and grandchildren’s social programmes are still viable and no hint of keeping our country unified.”
Ruff is calling for rapid COVID-19 testing to help support businesses, schools and parents.
The MP does say it’s positive to see committees going back to work, and the resumption of parliamentary business. He also says it was positive to see mention of eliminating trade barriers between provinces, mention of a disability inclusion plan and a desire to bring family doctors to rural and remote areas, but he adds the speech was “Very short on how the government plans to achieve these promises.”
Ruff also criticized the lack of reference to veterans and national defence priorities.
On Wednesday, the House of Commons adopted by unanimous consent a motion for hybrid proceedings, electronic tabling of documents, electronic divisions and committees.
The #RuffReport – Expectations for the Speech from the Throne – 23 Sep 2020 #agricultural #rural #broadband #internet #smallbusiness #veterans #seniors pic.twitter.com/1R6uo0BWcz
— Alex Ruff (@AlexRuff17) September 23, 2020
MP Ruff Statement – Speech From the Throne – 24 Sep 2020 -final(1)
