BUILDING A 

RESILIENT ECONOMY: SPEECH

FROM
THE
A CLEANER & T H RON E
HEALTHIER FUTURE
FOR OUR KIDS
to Open the
First Session of
the 44th Parliament
of Canada

November 23, 2021

Library and Archives Canada
Cataloguing in Publication

Canada. Governor General.

Building a Resilient Economy:
A Cleaner & Healthier Future for Our Kids
Speech from the Throne to Open the First Session
of the For ty-four th Parliament of Canada,
November 23, 2021.

Irregular.
44 th Parliament, 1 st session (2021)
English and French on inver ted pages.

Title on added t.p.: Bâtir une économie résiliente :

un avenir plus propre et plus sain pour nos enfants
Discours du Trône ouvrant la première session
de la quarante-quatrième législature du Canada,
le 23 novembre 2021.

Cat. no. SO1-1

ISSN 1203-9268

1. Speech from the Throne – Canada – Periodicals.

2. Canada – Politics and government – Periodicals.
I. Title. II. Title: Bâtir une économie résiliente :
un avenir plus propre et plus sain pour nos enfants
Discours du Trône ouvrant la première session
de la quarante-quatrième législature du Canada,
le 23 novembre 2021.

Alternate formats request or other information:

1-800-622-6232

TDD toll-free number for the hearing impaired:

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Website:
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© Her Majesty the Queen in Right of Canada, 2021

Photo Credit: Hemmings House/Tourism New Brunswick

Honourable Senators,

Members of the House

of Commons,

Congratulations to each of you and welcome to all 3

the new Parliamentarians who will together with their
colleagues make their mark on Canada.

I would like to acknowledge that we are gathered on the

unceded territory of the Algonquin Anishinabe people.

This land acknowledgement is not a symbolic

declaration. It is our true history. In each of your own
ridings, I encourage you to seek out the truth, and to
learn about the lived realities in First Nations, Inuit and
Métis communities. Although each community is distinct,
we all share a desire to chart a way forward together
towards reconciliation.

NOVEMBER 23, 2021

BUILDING A  The discovery of unmarked graves of children who died in
RESILIENT ECONOMY:
the residential school system shows how the actions of
A CLEANER &  governments and institutions of the past have devastated
HEALTHIER FUTURE
Indigenous Peoples and continue to impact them today.
F OR OUR KIDS
We cannot hide from these discoveries; they open deep wounds.

Despite the profound pain, there is hope.

There is hope in the every day. Reconciliation is not a single

act, nor does it have an end date. It is a lifelong journey of
healing, respect and understanding. We need to embrace
the diversity of Canada and demonstrate respect and
understanding for all peoples every day.

Already, I have seen how Canadians are committed to

4 reconciliation. Indigenous Peoples are reclaiming our history,
stories, culture and language through action. Non-Indigenous
Peoples are coming to understand and accept the true
impact of the past and the pain suffered by generations of
Indigenous Peoples. Together they are walking the path
towards reconciliation.

We must turn the guilt we carry into action.

Action on reconciliation.

Action on our collective health and well-being.

Action on climate change.

NOVEMBER 23, 2021

Our Earth is in danger. From a warming Arctic to the BUILDING A

increasing devastation of natural disasters, our land and RESILIENT ECONOMY:

our people need help. We must move talk into action and A CLEANER &

adapt where we must. We cannot afford to wait. HEALTHIER FUTURE

F OR OUR KIDS

From the grief and pain of residential schools to the fear of

threats to our natural environment to the profound impacts
of the COVID-19 pandemic, this past year has been hard on
all of us.

I want to thank all workers across Canada, especially

those in health care, for their efforts to keep us safe and
healthy, and offer my deepest condolences to those who
have experienced loss of loved ones during the pandemic.
It has touched us all, including those in this chamber who
lost a cherished colleague just a few days ago, Senator 5
Forest-Niesing. To her family and to all of you, my deepest
sympathies.

The pandemic has shown us that we need to put a focus

on mental health in the same way as physical well-being
because they are inseparable.

As you begin this 44th Parliament of Canada, and as

we recover from the effects of the pandemic and build a
better relationship between Indigenous Peoples and non-
Indigenous Peoples, I urge you to transform discussion into
concrete results for us and for our country.

NOVEMBER 23, 2021

BUILDING A  Collaborate with and listen to each other.
RESILIENT ECONOMY:

A CLEANER &  Listen to the diverse voices who speak a multitude of

HEALTHIER FUTURE
languages and who shape this country.
F OR OUR KIDS

Confronting the hard questions will not always be easy

or comfortable  —  and it will require conviction  —  but it
is necessary. The outcome will be a sustainable, united
Canada, for you, for me, for our children, and for every
generation to come.

NOVEMBER 23, 2021

 SPEECH FROM
THE THRONE

OPENING

As we speak, British Columbians are facing immeasurable 7

challenges as their homes, their communities, and their well-
being are impacted by terrible flooding.

But in a time of crisis, we know how Canadians respond.

We step up and we are there for each other.

And the Government will continue to be there for the people

of British Columbia.

In 2020, Canadians did not know they would face the crisis
of a once-in-a-century pandemic. But, as always, no one
should be surprised by how Canadians responded.

NOVEMBER 23, 2021

BUILDING A  We adapted. We helped one another. And we stayed true
RESILIENT ECONOMY:
to our values.
A CLEANER & 

HEALTHIER FUTURE
Values like compassion, courage, and determination.
F OR OUR KIDS

Values like democracy.

And in this difficult time, Canadians made a democratic

choice.

Their direction is clear: not only do they want

Parliamentarians to work together to put this pandemic
behind us, they also want bold, concrete solutions to
meet the other challenges we face.

8 Growing an economy that works for everyone.

Opening Fighting climate change.

Moving forward on the path of reconciliation.

Making sure our communities are safe, healthy,

and inclusive.

Yes, the decade got off to an incredibly difficult start,

but this is the time to rebuild.

This is the moment for Parliamentarians to work together to

get big things done, and shape a better future for our kids.

NOVEMBER 23, 2021

 SPEECH FROM
THE THRONE

THIS IS THE MOMENT

TO BUILD A HEALTHIER
TODAY AND TOMORROW

Priority number one remains getting the pandemic under 9

control. The best way to do that is vaccination.

Already, the Government has mandated vaccination for

federal and federally-regulated workers, and for everyone
travelling within Canada by plane, train, or ship. It has also
ensured a standardized Canadian proof of vaccination for
domestic and international use.

The Government is securing next generation COVID-19

vaccines, boosters, and doses for kids from 5 to 11.

And around the world, Canada will continue working with

its partners to ensure fair and equitable access to vaccines
and other resources.

NOVEMBER 23, 2021

BUILDING A  To build a healthy future, we must also strengthen our
RESILIENT ECONOMY:
healthcare system and public health supports for all
A CLEANER &  Canadians, especially seniors, veterans, persons with
HEALTHIER FUTURE
disabilities, vulnerable members of our communities, and
F OR OUR KIDS
those who have faced discrimination by the very system that
is meant to heal.

There is work to be done. On accessibility. On care in rural

communities. On delayed procedures. On mental health and
addiction treatment. On long-term care. On improving data
collection across health systems to inform future decisions
and get the best possible results.

The Government will work collaboratively with provinces,

territories, and other partners to deliver real results on what
10 Canadians need.

This is the moment

to build a healthier
today and tomorrow

NOVEMBER 23, 2021

 SPEECH FROM
THE THRONE

THIS IS THE MOMENT

TO GROW A MORE
RESILIENT ECONOMY

The best thing we can do for the economy remains ending 11

the pandemic for good. But as we do, we should rebuild
an economy that works for everyone. At the height of
the lockdowns, the Government made historic, necessary
investments so families could keep paying the rent and small
businesses could stay afloat.

Now, with one of the most successful vaccination campaigns

in the world, and employment back to pre-pandemic levels,
the Government is moving to more targeted support, while
prudently managing spending.

To ensure no one is left behind, support will be extended or

added for industries that continue to struggle.

NOVEMBER 23, 2021

BUILDING A  At the same time, the Government will also continue making
RESILIENT ECONOMY:
life more affordable for all Canadians.
A CLEANER & 

HEALTHIER FUTURE
Inflation is a challenge that countries around the world are
F OR OUR KIDS
facing. And while Canada’s economic performance is better
than many of our partners, we must keep tackling the rising
cost of living. To do that, the Government’s plan includes
two major priorities: housing and child care.

Whether it is building more units per year, increasing

affordable housing, or ending chronic homelessness,
the Government is committed to working with its partners
to get real results.

For example, the Housing Accelerator Fund will help

12 municipalities build more and better, faster.

This is the moment The Government will also help families buy their first
to grow a more
home sooner with a more flexible First-Time Home Buyer’s
resilient economy
Incentive, a new Rent-to-Own program, and by reducing the
closing costs for first-time buyers.

Supporting families will make life more affordable for the

middle class and people working hard to join it.

The Canada Child Benefit has already helped lift hundreds

of thousands of children out of poverty and will continue
increasing to keep up with the cost of living.

NOVEMBER 23, 2021

The Government will also continue building the first-ever BUILDING A

Canada-wide early learning and child care system. By the RESILIENT ECONOMY:

end of 2022, average fees for regulated child care will be cut A CLEANER &

in half in most of the provinces and territories. And in some HEALTHIER FUTURE

F OR OUR KIDS
places, this will even happen as early as the start of the year.
Families will save thousands of dollars.

Four jurisdictions have not yet reached agreements on

child care. Two are territories with unique infrastructure
challenges, and the Government will keep working together
to ensure we meet the needs of the North. The Government
will continue working with the remaining two provinces to
finalize agreements that will deliver $10-a-day child care for
families who so badly need it.

Investing in affordable child care – just like housing – is not 13

just good for families. It helps grow the entire economy. And
so does immigration. This is the moment
to grow a more
resilient economy
That is why the Government will continue increasing
immigration levels and reducing wait times, while
supporting family reunification and delivering a world-
leading refugee resettlement program.

NOVEMBER 23, 2021

 SPEECH FROM
THE THRONE

THIS IS THE MOMENT

FOR BOLDER CLIMATE
ACTION

14 Building a resilient economy means investing in people.

But the work does not stop there.

After all, growing the economy and protecting the

environment go hand in hand.

By focusing on innovation and good, green jobs, and by

working with like-minded countries – we will build a more
resilient, sustainable, and competitive economy.

As a country, we want to be leaders in producing the world’s

cleanest steel, aluminum, building products, cars, and
planes. Not only do we have the raw materials and energy
to do that, most importantly, we have skilled, hard-working
Canadians to power these industries.

NOVEMBER 23, 2021

As we move forward on the economy of the future, no BUILDING A

worker or region will be left behind. The Government will RESILIENT ECONOMY:

bring together provinces, territories, municipalities, and A CLEANER &

Indigenous communities, as well as labour and the private HEALTHIER FUTURE

F OR OUR KIDS
sector, to tap into global capital and attract investors.

Canada will emerge from this generational challenge

stronger and more prosperous.

The Government is taking real action to fight climate

change. Now, we must go further, faster.

That means moving to cap and cut oil and gas sector
emissions, while accelerating our path to a 100 percent net-
zero electricity future.
15
Investing in public transit and mandating the sale of zero
emissions vehicles will help us breathe cleaner air. This is the moment
for bolder
climate action
Increasing the price on pollution while putting more
money back in Canadians’ pockets will deliver a cleaner
environment and a stronger economy.

Protecting our land and oceans will address biodiversity loss.

In this work, the Government will continue to strengthen its
partnership with First Nations, Inuit, and Métis, to protect
nature and respect their traditional knowledge.

Creating the Canada Water Agency will safeguard that vital

resource and support our farmers.

NOVEMBER 23, 2021

BUILDING A  And to address the realities communities across the country
RESILIENT ECONOMY:
already face, the Government will also strengthen action
A CLEANER &  to prevent and prepare for floods, wildfires, droughts,
HEALTHIER FUTURE
coastline erosion, and other extreme weather worsened
F OR OUR KIDS
by climate change. The Government will be there to build
back in communities devastated by these events. This will
include the development of Canada’s first-ever National
Adaptation Strategy.

16

This is the moment

for bolder
climate action

NOVEMBER 23, 2021

 SPEECH FROM
THE THRONE

THIS IS THE MOMENT

TO FIGHT HARDER
FOR SAFER COMMUNITIES

While we address climate change – 17

While we fight COVID-19 and its consequences –

While we grow our economy for everyone –

We cannot turn away from other challenges.

Gun violence is on the rise in many of our biggest cities.

While investing in prevention and supporting the work

of law enforcement, we must also continue to strengthen
gun control.

NOVEMBER 23, 2021

BUILDING A  The Government has taken important actions like
RESILIENT ECONOMY:
introducing lifetime background checks.
A CLEANER & 

HEALTHIER FUTURE
The Government will now put forward measures like a
F OR OUR KIDS
mandatory buyback of banned assault-style weapons, and
move forward with any province or territory that wants to
ban handguns.

During the pandemic, we have also seen an unacceptable

rise in violence against women and girls.

The Government is committed to moving forward with

a 10-year National Action Plan on gender-based violence,
and will continue to support organizations providing
critical services.
18
When someone in our country is targeted because of their
This is the moment gender, or who they love, or where they come from, the way
to fight harder for
they pray, the language they speak, or the colour of their
safer communities
skin, we are all diminished.

Everyone should be – and feel – safe.

The Government will continue combatting hate and racism,

including with a renewed Anti-Racism Strategy.

NOVEMBER 23, 2021

THIS IS THE MOMENT
SPEECH FROM
THE THRONE

TO STAND UP FOR
DIVERSITY AND
INCLUSION

Canadians understand that equity, justice, and diversity are 19

the means and the ends to living together.

Fighting systemic racism, sexism, discrimination,

misconduct, and abuse, including in our core institutions,
will remain a key priority.

The Government will also continue to reform the criminal

justice system and policing.

This is the moment to rebuild for everyone. The Government

will continue to invest in the empowerment of Black
and racialized Canadians, and Indigenous Peoples. It will
also continue to fight harmful content online, and stand up

NOVEMBER 23, 2021

BUILDING A  for LGBTQ2 communities while completing the ban
RESILIENT ECONOMY:
on conversion therapy.
A CLEANER & 

HEALTHIER FUTURE
As Canadians, our two official languages are part of
F OR OUR KIDS
who we are.

It is essential to support official language minority

communities, and to protect and promote French outside
and inside Quebec.

The Government will reintroduce the proposed Act for

the Substantive Equality of French and English and
the Strengthening of the Official Languages Act.

To support Canadian culture and creative industries,

20 the Government will also reintroduce legislation to reform
the Broadcasting Act and ensure web giants pay their fair
This is share for the creation and promotion of Canadian content.
the moment
to stand up
for diversity
and inclusion

NOVEMBER 23, 2021

THIS IS THE MOMENT
SPEECH FROM
THE THRONE

TO MOVE FASTER
ON THE PATH OF
RECONCILIATION

This year, Canadians were horrified by the discovery of 21

unmarked graves at former residential schools.

We know that reconciliation cannot come without truth.

As the Government continues to respond to the Calls
to Action, it will invest in that truth, including with the
creation of a national monument to honour survivors, and
with the appointment of a Special Interlocutor to further
advance justice on residential schools.

To support communities, the Government will also invest

significantly in a distinctions-based mental health and
wellness strategy, guided by Indigenous Peoples, survivors,
and their families.

NOVEMBER 23, 2021

BUILDING A  Everyone in our country deserves to be safe.
RESILIENT ECONOMY:

A CLEANER &  That is why the Government will accelerate work with
HEALTHIER FUTURE
Indigenous partners to address the national tragedy of
F OR OUR KIDS
Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and
2SLGBTQQIA+ People.

The Government will also make sure communities have the

support they need to keep families together, while ensuring
fair and equitable compensation for those harmed by the
First Nations Child and Family Services program.

Reconciliation requires a whole-of-government approach,

breaking down barriers, and rethinking how to accelerate
our work. Whether it is eliminating all remaining long-
22 term drinking water advisories or implementing the United
Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples,
This is the moment the Government is committed to closing the gaps that far
to move faster
too many First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities still
on the path
of reconciliation face today.

NOVEMBER 23, 2021

THIS IS THE MOMENT
SPEECH FROM
THE THRONE

TO FIGHT FOR A SECURE,

JUST, AND EQUITABLE
WORLD

The last 19 months have underscored that we live in a 23

deeply interconnected world.

Canada must stand up on the pressing challenges of our

time, through our own commitments and by increasing
our engagement with international partners, coalitions,
and organizations.

In the face of rising authoritarianism and great power

competition, Canada must reinforce international peace
and security, the rule of law, democracy, and respect for
human rights.

Canada’s prosperity – and middle class jobs – depend on

preserving and expanding open, rules-based trade and

NOVEMBER 23, 2021

BUILDING A  ensuring our supply chains are strong and resilient.
RESILIENT ECONOMY:

A CLEANER &  At home, the Government will continue to protect

HEALTHIER FUTURE
Canadians from threats to our communities, our society,
F OR OUR KIDS
and our democracy.

A changing world requires adapting and expanding

diplomatic engagement. Canada will continue working
with key allies and partners, while making deliberate
efforts to deepen partnerships in the Indo-Pacific and across
the Arctic.

Increasing Canada’s foreign assistance budget each year, and

investing in sustainable, equitable, and feminist development
that benefits the world’s most vulnerable and promotes
24 gender equality will continue to be priorities.

This is the moment We will always stand up for a brighter future for all.
to fight for a
secure, just, and
equitable world

NOVEMBER 23, 2021

 SPEECH FROM
THE THRONE

CONCLUSION

This decade is still young. With compassion, courage, 25

and determination, we have the power to make it better
than how it started.

But that can only happen by standing together.

Parliamentarians, never before has so much depended

on your ability to deliver results for Canadians.

That is what people expect and need from you.

In addition to ending this pandemic, their priorities for this

44th Parliament are clear: a more resilient economy, and
a cleaner and healthier future for all of our kids.

NOVEMBER 23, 2021

BUILDING A  I do not doubt that you will honour the trust that has been
RESILIENT ECONOMY:
placed in you.
A CLEANER & 

HEALTHIER FUTURE
Members of the House of Commons, you will be asked
F OR OUR KIDS
to appropriate the funds to carry out the services and
expenditures authorized by Parliament.

Members of the Senate and Members of the House of

Commons, may you be equal to the profound trust
bestowed on you by Canadians, and may Divine Providence
guide you in all your duties.

26

Conclusion

NOVEMBER 23, 2021