News Release

From the Prime Minister's Web Site (http://www.pm.gc.ca/)

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STRONG LEADERSHIP. A BETTER CANADA.

SPEECH FROM THE THRONE OUTLINES GOVERNMENT'S AGENDA FOR BETTER, STRONGER, SAFER CANADA

October 16, 2007
Ottawa, Ontario

Today, Her Excellency the Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean, Governor General of Canada delivered the Government's Speech from the Throne, outlining a long-term agenda of clear goals and real results, focused on making life better for Canadians and their families.

Under the leadership of Prime Minister Stephen Harper, the Government of Canada is pursuing a mandate based on five core priorities, including:

A Proud and Sovereign Canada in which the Government rigorously defends Canada's place in the world including through the realization of our strong Arctic vision and a responsible, effective path forward in Afghanistan.

A Strong Federation in which the Government will continue to strengthen the federation – and modernize its democratic institutions – through measures including formal limits on federal spending power and long-overdue reform of the Senate.

A Prosperous Future in which the Government will provide effective economic leadership and a prosperous future by aggressively moving forward with broad tax relief that includes a further promised reduction in the GST.

A Safe and Secure Canada in which the Government will continue to tackle crime and strengthen the security of Canadians by reintroducing important crime legislation with the new Tackling Violent Crime Act, and by putting a strong focus on safe communities and youth and property crime.

A Healthy Environment for Canadians in which the Government will continue to improve the environment and health of Canadians by delivering realistic and achievable results in areas such as environmental enforcement and product and food safety.

Canadians can be proud of their country and its achievements. Working together, we have built a nation that is prosperous and safe; a country where what matters is who you are and what you do, not who you know or where you're from; a place where people from around the world can live in harmony; a federation that is more united at home and respected abroad than it has been for decades.

Canadians elected a Government to improve life for themselves and their families. And under the strong leadership of Prime Minister Stephen Harper that Government is building a better Canada.

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www.sft.gc.ca

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The Prime Minister's Office - Communications
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