John Ivison: Liberals finally manage a serious throne speech, free of Trudeau's divisive virtue-signalling
There is an inherent absurdity to the speech from the throne, where the monarch, or his representative, recites a prepared text written by an anonymous partisan (although, such is the current ubiquity of the prime minister it would be no surprise if the author was one M. Carney).
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King Charles made a decent effort at putting his own spin on things by pointing out that he has made 20 visits to Canada over the past 50 years but this was his first as the sovereign.
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With the limited amount of daylight allowed to alight on the magic of the monarchy, it is hard to tell, but the King and Queen Camilla appeared genuinely pleased to be in Ottawa. Charles was certainly more engaged than his late father, who on the 1969 inauguration of an annex to Vancouver City Hall, once said: 'I declare this thing open — whatever it is'.
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Lexicologists poring over the speech in the hope of finding a blunt rebuttal to President Donald Trump's ambitions of making Canada the 51st state were destined to be disappointed. Fears from unnamed British ministers quoted by The Times that Canada would drag the monarch into an unsightly spat with the president proved groundless.
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The King concluded by saying his visit had reminded him that 'the True North is indeed strong and free,' reinforcing the message to the White House that Canada is not for sale.
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But the speech did not go beyond the language used by Prime Minister Mark Carney's Liberals during and since the recent election campaign.
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The system of open trade and relations with partners are changing, the King said, reading the government's speech. 'We must be clear-eyed — the world is more dangerous and uncertain than at any point since the Second World War.'
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Canadians are anxious and worried but the moment creates an opportunity for renewal 'to think big and act bigger.'
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'A confident Canada can seize this opportunity and give ourselves far more than any foreign power on any continent can ever take away.'
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The King said the prime minister and the U.S. president are defining a new economic and security relationship 'rooted in mutual respect and founded in common interest to deliver transformational benefits for both sovereign nations.'
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Toronto Star
2 hours ago
- Toronto Star
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Toronto Star
6 hours ago
- Toronto Star
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Please try again. Please enter a valid email address. Sign Up Yes, I'd also like to receive customized content suggestions and promotional messages from the Star. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Politics Headlines Newsletter You're signed up! You'll start getting Politics Headlines in your inbox soon. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page.
Global News
7 hours ago
- Global News
Quebec Liberals elect former federal minister Pablo Rodriguez as leader
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