Alberta Premier Rachel Notley said her throne speech would focus on people coming together, on shared responsibility and opportunity, and obligations to future generations.
But above all, she said to expect her speech to be optimistic.
However, this has not been a year for optimism in Alberta's business community, and the throne speech from the new government did little to allay that.
About 10% of Albertans make between $10.00 and $15.00 per hour. Those workers are set to see their wages increase in the coming year.
Consultations between the province and the small business community began this month. The province has promised more detail on the increase by July 1.
This continues to be a burr in the side of the small business community.
?The increase in the corporate tax rate was a hot button issue in the election campaign, but popular enough with voters that there was little chance it wouldn't be a priority.
Notley also nodded to her campaign promise of a royalty review.
Before the throne speech, Notley said she expects to announce more details on the review by the end of summer. As well, she indicated that if the review suggests that it's not the right time to proceed with higher royalties, she is willing to listen.
One energy industry official said that he was reassured that the throne speech included a reference to market access.
That reference was connected to carbon policy.
Specifically, that Alberta must demonstrate real leadership on the environment and climate change and forge a much stronger partnership with other provinces and with the federal government in order to build a Canadian energy strategy that ensures market access.
That nod to market access is a relief to an industry that was recently spooked by the naming of an anti-pipeline lobbyist to the position of chief of staff to Energy Minister Marg McCuaig-Boyd.
As for climate policy, the energy industry itself has been beating the drum for a carbon tax.
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