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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Notice

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

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Public events for October 17, 2007

October 16, 2007
Ottawa, Ontario

Public events for Prime Minister Stephen Harper for Wednesday, October 17th are:

9:30 a.m. – Prime Minister Stephen Harper will deliver brief remarks at the opening of the National Conservative Caucus meeting.

Room 237-C
Centre Block
House of Commons

*Open to media*
*Photo opportunity only*


Note: All media should wait outside the main entrance of the National Caucus room until the National Caucus meeting begins.

Once the Prime Minister has completed his address, the remainder of the Caucus meeting will be closed to media.

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The Prime Minister's Office - Communications
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News Release

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

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PRIME MINISTER HAILS ARRIVAL OF ELECTED SENATOR BERT BROWN AS A VICTORY FOR DEMOCRACY IN THE RED CHAMBER

October 16, 2007
Ottawa, Ontario

Prime Minister Stephen Harper today congratulated long-time Senate reform advocate Bert Brown after he was sworn in as Canada's second elected Senator. Senator Brown follows in the steps of the Honourable Stan Waters who was elected by the people of Alberta in 1989, and appointed by the former Conservative government of the Rt. Hon. Brian Mulroney.

"Bert has been a passionate advocate for democratization of the Senate for more than 20 years," Prime Minister Harper said. "I can think of no one more deserving of a seat in our Upper House. As the only sitting Senator endorsed by voters, he will be a powerful voice for reform from the inside."

Senator Brown, a Calgary zoning and property development consultant, has been waiting for this day for nearly a decade. First elected in Alberta's Senate Nominee election in 1998, he was re-elected by more than 300,000 voters in the province's next Senate election of 2004. "By appointing me, Prime Minister Harper has demonstrated his genuine commitment to democratic reform of the Senate," said Senator Brown.

The Prime Minister noted that two Senate reform bills introduced last session, one to allow Canadians to vote for Senators and another to limit their terms to eight years, were stalled in the House or blocked by the Liberal majority in the Senate. Prime Minister Harper emphasized however, that the Government is committed to Senate reform and will not abandon these important reforms in the upcoming session.

"The mandate to govern, when it is given to you directly by the people, is a great honour and a great responsibility. It's the very essence of responsible government, and it is the minimum condition of 21st century democracy," said Prime Minister Harper. "The swearing-in of Senator Brown today reflects our government's conviction that Canadians must have a direct say in who will represent them in the Red Chamber. If the Liberal majority in the Senate persist in obstructing reform, they will fade ever further into irrelevance and, eventually, oblivion."

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The Prime Minister's Office - Communications
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Notice

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

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Public events for October 16, 2007

October 16, 2007
Ottawa, Ontario

Public events for Prime Minister Stephen Harper for today, Tuesday, October 16th are:

11:35 a.m. – Prime Minister Stephen Harper will accompany Senator Bert Brown to sign the Oath of Allegiance.

Senate Speaker's Hallway and Dining Room
House of Commons
Ottawa, ON

*Pool photo opportunity*

7:00 p.m. – Prime Minister Stephen Harper and his wife Laureen Harper will attend the reading of the Government's Speech from the Throne delivered by the Governor General of Canada, her Excellency the Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean.

Senate Chamber
House of Commons
Ottawa, ON

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The Prime Minister's Office - Communications
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