Jack Layton's response to the Speech from the Throne

Mr Speaker, let me begin by congratulating you on behalf of New Democrats on your re-election. I trust we will see greater civility and decorum in this chamber.

We also extend our congratulations to the Prime Minister. Our well wishes to the leader of the Official Opposition in his continued service. And also to the Leader of the Bloc Quebecois.

On a personal note, I’d like to thank the people of Toronto-Danforth for their continued faith in me. And the people of Canada, for electing the second biggest New Democrat caucus in our history.

Canadians I have met in the past two months, indeed in the past two years, are counting on this Parliament to have courage in the face of adversity.

The Canadian economy is facing an unprecedented downturn.

Millions of Canadian families are worried about their jobs, their pensions, and their savings.

They’re counting on the federal government to take bold and strategic steps.

The words in yesterday’s Throne Speech do not match the urgency or the depth of what is required to protect working families in this economy.

Canadians were hoping for more from the Throne Speech. New Democrats were expecting more.

As the effective opposition, New Democrats will be demanding more from this government. We will not be supporting this Throne Speech.

The speech we are asked to endorse, Mr. Speaker, won’t ease the sleepless nights of many Canadians.

The Throne speech spoke of crisis, but no bold action to meet it.

Spoke of renewal, but set no targets to revitalise the real economy.

Spoke of the inevitability of budget deficits, while foolishly proceeding with unconditional corporate tax cuts.

Mr Speaker, this Parliament is faced with the great test of our generation.

While not asked to achieve our independence or to fight the Greatest War.

We are asked to take our nation through a global economic crisis, one already cutting deep into the real economy.

New Democrats have always believed that the economy must be judged on how well it serves the needs and aspirations of all our people.

We believe markets can bring prosperity, but they can’t do it alone.

Sometimes governments have to get off the side lines, shore up a failing side and be part of the solution --

Not wait for an invisible hand to set things right.

We believe in strategic investment by government, not unconditional corporate giveaways.

We believe in balanced budgets, not avoidable deficits.

We believe productivity and enterprise drive the economy, not low corporate tax rates.

We believe in fighting for Canadian workers, their jobs and their communities.

We believe government should be about fairness and prosperity for people.

People like Jack Nijjer in Kamloops, fearing for his small business.

Jennifer Sanderson in St John’s, worried about her children’s future.

And the countless young Canadians with bright ideas for a greener tomorrow.

Around the world, even conservative governments are recognising that government not only has a role to play but a responsibility to act.

Leaders everywhere are taking decisive action, but this government hasn’t shown the same courage.

It’s cause for great concern that most major world economies are in or close to recession. World stock markets are down 40% and $7 trillion has been injected into the global capital supply.

But I’m even more worried about auto sector jobs losses in Windsor, mills closing in Trois-Rivieres and forecasts that put all of Canada on the edge of recession.

Consumer bankruptcies in September were 20% higher than August.

Unemployment is projected to rise next year to 7%, but that’s not the full story.

I’m reminded of those days during the election campaign, when The Prime Minister and I both visited Welland in Ontario.

I saw our decaying industrial heartland, I spoke to workers who’d lost their jobs when the one hundred year-old John Deere plant closed. Those grim, determined faces haven’t left my mind.

The Prime Minister chose not to meet them. To look in their faces.

While the Prime Minister tinkers with the status quo, those families can’t put food on the table.

They’re spending tomorrow’s savings to make it through today.

As good-paying, family-raising jobs are being replaced with low wage, insecure jobs without pensions.

This government isn’t looking out for the middle class who feel more pressure month by month, working harder and harder to keep up.

Instead, this government is throwing money away on unconditional corporate tax cuts.

This government is intent on giving to the sectors that need it least, rather than those that need it most.

The productivity of our workforce is the engine of our prosperity.

But for the first time in half a century, a Canadian Prime Minister has let productivity fall under his watch. We now work more to produce less.

This crisis can be an opportunity to get things right.

To boost productivity and combine environmental protection with economic growth in new ways.

To ensure good public services and robust infrastructure.

To stabilize the economy, foster enterprise and encourage small businesses.

We need bold and strategic measures for our economy. The 21st century is new and different, and tired old 20th century solutions won’t work anymore.

That’s why Canadians wanted change.

So let’s build prosperity by investing in the inherent productivity that resides in the talent, creativity and energy of our people. In the real economy.

First, let’s introduce financial regulations that protect consumers in this economy.

Even though strong regulations have kept our banking sector more stable than others, effects from global market turmoil are unavoidable

Stronger oversight is needed to track the $75 billion already given to secure banks.

And if there’s assistance to any ailing sectors, taxpayers need a full account and, where appropriate, an equity stake in return.

The federal government can protect consumers by ensuring credit card companies stop hiking interest rates on cash-strapped families that miss a payment.

Second, let’s invest in the new energy economy for our 21st century prosperity.

We don’t have to choose between economic growth and fighting climate change. We can choose a new energy economy.

We can put a price on carbon and harness the sun, wind, water and biomass.

Canadian innovation can make us leaders in renewable technology and create green collar jobs.

And we can begin by creating thousands of jobs right now, energy retro-fitting our homes and buildings.

Third, let’s invest in enterprise and innovation in the private sector and in our research institutions.

Canadian companies lead the world in information technology.

Our small businesses produce original ideas.

Our universities and colleges should lead the world in practical innovation. They’ve proven they’re up to it. We must do more to with incentives for job creation, better support for R&D, and innovation funding.

Fourth, let’s make strategic investments in infrastructure and in the real economy.

Let’s commit to an ambitious plan to partner with our communities to repair our crumbling cities, invest in public transit and build affordable housing.

And, Mr. Speaker, we’ve relied on raw resource exports for too long. We need credit guarantees for viable companies in forestry – and we need them now.

We also need to take this opportunity to transform the auto sector, to develop low emission vehicles. Canadians want them, they’ll save money and its the right thing for the planet.

Fifth, but certainly not least, let’s invest in our social infrastructure.

Without a national skills training strategy to address our skills shortage, we’ll only compound the length and depth of the economic downturn.

In the United States, pensions are guaranteed to $50,000. We need pension insurance plans to protect today’s seniors and future generations.

Rule changes to Employment Insurance by recent governments mean that an unemployed person must exhaust her savings before her EI is even available.

Let’s fix EI. That money will go right back into the local economy to create jobs, keep small businesses afloat, and put food on the table.

And we can create more jobs in child care and aged care, with more doctors and nurses, and better opportunities for First Nations.

Mr Speaker, the government must respect the 62% of Canadians who voted for change.

And that includes pursuing democratic reform with proportional representation.

This Parliament has been asked to set aside its differences and to overcome the old politics of partisan battle.

But, Mr Speaker, that does not mean giving the government the very majority that Canadians refused to give them.

The government must compromise, and opposition must be constructive.

New Democrats are the effective opposition.

We will challenge this government to do better, to deliver tangible results and real change.

We oppose the Throne Speech because it lacks the bold action working families need in this time of economic crisis.

I could say that history will judge us poorly if we fail the test we face.

But it’s not just history that matters. It is the families hurting now, the jobs that are lost today, and the fears Canadians have for their future.

New Democrats haven’t forgotten who we are. Or who we represent.

We will never waver from our belief that together we can achieve a fair and prosperous future for all Canadians.

And, Mr. Speaker, don’t ever let them tell you it can’t be done!

Thank you. Merci beaucoup.