Difficult decisions in order

The Speech from the Throne presented Tuesday afternoon at the Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick does not reforms and future. New Brunswickers also learn that tough decisions will be taken to contain government spending. The Cabinet will review all programs to achieve savings. The promised tax cuts to large corporations and senior employees could be postponed. "If it is necessary because of the economy, the government is prepared to do that," said Premier Shawn Graham. Apart from a revision of the law on the transfer of securities, the Graham government offers little new to address the economic slowdown. The throne speech also addresses the language issue, but lip service. "We must ensure that the expectations of the community are fully consistent with the principles of transformation of our province," said Lieutenant Governor Herménégilde Chiasson read the speech. An Advisory Committee on Francophone Affairs will be created. A new policy on the working language will be introduced in April 2009. The government will maintain its reform especially for post-secondary education, yet strongly criticized by the French. As for health services, the Prime Minister emphasized that the duality was not feasible as a matter of costs. "There is a question that is raised today on the duality in health care, and there is a cost to it, a cost that is very, very expensive," said Shawn Graham. Several other issues will receive the attention of government: energy, forestry, transport and especially a new pay equity legislation, which will apply to all public service employees. The Speech from the Throne offers guidance to government. For members, the real work begins the next morning.