The federal government says it will bring in a law forcing future governments to have balanced budgets during "normal economic times," freeze its operating budget and reform the way the government manages spending, Gov. Gen. David Johnston said in the throne speech Wednesday.
The speech, which lays out the government's agenda for the next session of Parliament, also promises to open up Canada's liquor laws so that Canadians can take beer and spirits across provincial boundaries. A law, proposed by one Conservative MP, that opened provincial trade in wine was wildly popular across the country.
In practice, however, many provinces haven't yet amended their own laws so people can take advantage of the change. A similar exemption for beer and spirits would face the same hurdle.
The government also says it will "close loopholes that allow for the feeding of addiction under the guise of treatment," a measure that is sure to be controversial. The Conservatives continue to oppose Vancouver's In-Site clinic, despite a wealth of scientific research showing it's effective in reducing harm.
There was only a brief mention of the Senate, the chamber in which the speech is made: The status quo "is unacceptable" and "must be reformed or … vanish." The Supreme Court will hear arguments in November about what the federal government can do to reform the Senate without reopening the Constitution.
New promises include:
Ending "pay-to-pay" policies that force people to pay for paper bills rather than electronic.
Expanding no-cost banking services and working with the provinces and territories to "crack down" on payday lenders, which charge massive interest rates for short-term loans.
An updated strategy for science, innovation and technology.
There's also a vague promise to launch "a comprehensive new plan to assist Canadian businesses as they expand abroad."
