Throne Speech from King Charles asserts Canada’s sovereignty, outlines plans for investments, defence

In a ceremony marked with pomp and pageantry, King Charles III opened Parliament Tuesday, delivering the federal government’s Throne Speech that affirmed Canada’s sovereignty and promised the “largest transformation in the Canadian economy since the Second World War.”

The Throne Speech, written by Prime Minister Mark Carney’s office in consultation with the King’s office, touched on Liberal election promises including a middle-class tax cut, an end to interprovincial trade barriers, and fast approvals of major infrastructure projects.

The King and Queen Camilla arrived at the Senate in a converted old railway station in horse-drawn carriage, accompanied by Governor-General Mary Simon and her husband Whit Fraser. The streets were lined with Canadians keen to get a glimpse of the royal couple.

Live updates from King Charles’s visit to Ottawa

Mr. Carney, former governor of the Bank of Canada and the Bank England, invited the King a few days after he won the Liberal Party leadership and during a time when U.S. President Donald Trump talked of turning the country into the 51st state.

The Throne Speech dealt head on with President Trump’s America First economic agenda and threat of punitive tariffs that have unsettled Canadians.

King Charles as Canada’s head of state asserted the country’s sovereignty that had been questioned by the U.S. President and offered promises of a better future, less dependent on the United States.

“I have always had the greatest admiration for Canada’s unique identity, which is recognized across the world,” King Charles said, noting it was his 20th visit to Canada.

The King mentioned that when his mother, Queen Elizabeth II opened Parliament in 1957, it was in the aftermath of the Second World War and in the midst of the Cold War. The world faces a different threat with democratic pluralism, the rule of law and freedom under assault, he said.

“The system of open global trade that, while not perfect, has helped to deliver prosperity for Canadians for decades, is changing. Canada’s relationship with partners is also changing,” he said.

“Many Canadians are feeling anxious and worried about the drastically changing world around them,” King Charles said while calling on the country to look at what has transpired as an opportunity to think bigger and better.

“An opportunity for Canada to embark on the largest transformation of its economy since the Second World War,” he said. “All Canadians can give themselves far more than any foreign power on any continent can ever take away. And that by staying true to Canadian values, Canada can build new alliances and a new economy that serves all Canadians.”

The speech outlined a suite of promises from toughening border security to cracking down on stolen cars and fentanyl trafficking, rearming the military, and boosting Canada’s presence in the high Arctic. As Mr. Carney had pledged during the campaign, the speech said Ottawa will hire 1,000 RCMP officers, and double housing.

The new government, which won a strong minority mandate of 169 seats, also vowed to reduce federal spending, cap the size of the public service, cut waste and end duplication.

In an outreach to Indigenous peoples, the Throne Speech pledged up to $10-billion in loans to enable more communities to become owners of major projects.

It’s rare for Canada’s monarch to read the Throne Speech. Usually it is read by the Governor-General. It has only be read twice before by Queen Elizabeth II.

Among the many dignitaries invited to attend the opening of Parliament were former prime ministers Justin Trudeau, Kim Campbell and Stephen Harper.