Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre criticized the Carney government’s throne speech as lacking substance, saying it failed to offer real solutions to Canada’s most pressing problems and omitted key policy areas entirely.
Speaking to reporters on Tuesday after King Charles III delivered the Speech from the Throne—the first time a reigning monarch has done so in Canada since 1977—Poilievre said the address was heavy on rhetoric but failed to outline actionable steps.
“We did see a lot of the right slogans and political talking points, but no clear plans to get it done,” said Poilievre.
Poilievre promised to table comprehensive amendments that include specific proposals on energy, crime, and spending that will help accomplish some of the Conservative-sounding policies Carney has adopted.
He highlighted numerous hypocrisies between the speech and the actions of the Liberal government. One of the contradictions was the Liberals’ promise to control government spending, absent any specific action to accomplish this. Another was the speech mentioning crime while refusing to repeal the Liberal catch-and-release law, Bill C-75.
The Conservative leader said the Liberals trying to dial back spending “kind of hilariously” followed their decades of overspending. However, he offered a plan to help. Former prime minister Justin Trudeau spent more during his tenure than every other prime minister before him combined, helping the federal debt reach $1.232 trillion on Aug. 30, 2024. It is currently $1.261 trillion.
Poilievre also explained how the Liberals are planning to build but refused to mention developing critical pipelines or oil and gas.
“Nor did they mention getting rid of the anti-energy laws that have kept our resources in the ground. C-69, the no-development law. C-48, the shipping ban. The energy cap. The electric vehicle mandate. All of these things were left out of the speech altogether. No specific plans to get anything done,” he said.
His Majesty King Charles III outlined Carney’s agenda in the throne speech. Some key priorities included tackling climate change and upholding the CBC. While the speech, written by Carney’s advisors, presented an overview of global instability, climate change, and multiculturalism, it also included pledges often associated with Conservative platforms. Some of them included cutting income taxes, reducing red tape, and limiting temporary foreign workers and international students.
However, Poilievre said his job is to turn the federal government’s talking points into real plans.
While discussing amendments and the repeal of policies that would accomplish the Liberal talking points, Poilievre also proposed cuts to bureaucracy, consultants, foreign aid, and corporate welfare to bring down taxes, debt, and inflation.
“In other words, let’s replace the talking points with real plans to get it done. That is what conservatives pledged to do. That is what Canadians voted for us to fight for, and that is what we will deliver,” concluded Poilievre.
Poilievre said the speech fell short of addressing Canada’s dependence on the U.S. and missed an opportunity to advance a self-sufficiency agenda. He emphasized that Conservatives would push for policies that promote Canadian independence and resource development.
The House of Commons will debate the throne speech this week, culminating in a confidence vote on the Carney government’s legislative priorities.