Strengthened Mandate in Throne Speech

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 20 NOVEMBER 2008

OTTAWA, November 20, 2008 – The Government of Canada outlined a broad, but cautious, agenda in the Speech from the Throne, to open Canada’s 40^th Parliament says Battlefords-Lloydminster Member of Parliament, Gerry Ritz.

“Our government will follow a plan to protect Canada’s future and the people of Saskatchewan in a time of global economic instability,” said Ritz, who is also Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food and the Minister for the Canadian Wheat Board. “Under the strong leadership of Stephen Harper, families, farms and businesses can be assured that we will practise responsible fiscal management while continuing to move forward on important programs and policies,” he says.

The Speech from the Throne sets out the government’s agenda for the new session of Parliament and presents a five-pronged plan to protect Canada’s economic security.

The plan will reform global finance, ensure sound budgeting, secure jobs by encouraging the skilled trades, expand investment and trade, and make government more effective by reducing red tape and improving the management of federal agencies.

“The Throne Speech states our ongoing commitment to freedom of choice for grain marketing which is key for our farm families, says Ritz. “And municipalities should be happy to hear we remain committed to infrastructure renewal through our $33 billion Building Canada Program.”

In addition to core economic priorities, the Speech from the Throne outlines development of energy resources, improving the Universal Child Care Benefit, preserving the environment, strengthening laws for serious criminal offences and focussing gun laws on criminals, not law-abiding firearms owners.

“My constituents can be assured we are working to deliver results and ensure a vibrant future,” says Ritz.

For more information on the Speech from the Throne, visit www.sft-ddt.gc.ca

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For more information Margaux Statsny 613-759-1059