‘Canada is not for sale:’ Lieutenant-Governor delivers throne speechLieutenant-Governor Edith Dumont talked about U.S. President Trump’s threats during her throne speech at Queens Park on Tuesday. The Latest”President Donald Trump is openly taking aim at Ontario’s economy,” Lt.-Gov. Edith Dumont says in throne speechSpeech kicks off shortened spring sitting of the legislatureUpdatesApril 159 hours agoWhat’s next: the return of the legislatureJohn RietiMPP Donna Skelly makes an address for the first time as Speaker of the Ontario Legislature, at Queen’s Park, in Toronto, on April 14, 2025. She is the first woman to hold the position. (Evan Mitsui/CBC)Thank you to everyone who followed along live today. If you’re just coming to this story, scroll through for highlights from the throne speech.What’s next? Well, it feels like it’s been a while, but politicians will be back at Queen’s Park Wednesday to do some actual governing.The spring session will be just 20 days long, but we’re expecting some legislation to come forward and we’ll have full coverage on CBC Toronto. Stay tuned for more.9 hours agoNDP says Ford government needs to discuss incoming protection amid tariff turmoilJohn RietiNDP Leader Marit Stiles said the speech acknowledged the challenges the province is facing, but didn’t go far enough to support families.“We need to see real action for strong income protection, a commitment to creating good union jobs, and investing in the services that people rely on during difficult times,” Stiles, who heads the Opposition, said in a statement.“Unleashing the economic potential of our province means working with Northern communities, in partnership with First Nations, and making sure that key mining and infrastructure projects are done right, not just done fast. The path ahead cannot be a race to the bottom – we have the opportunity to strengthen Ontario, support the workers who build our province, and grow our economy.”10 hours agoGreen party respondsJohn RietiThe Green Party said in a statement it is committed to working with the government, but has concerns with the direction outlined today. “Ford’s vision for the next four years includes reckless spending and gutting environmental protections. Spending billions on pipelines and tunnels under highways won’t make life more affordable for Ontarians,” said Leader Mike Schreiner.“We need housing, not wasteful tunnels and highways.”10 hours agoInstant reaction from our Queen’s Park reporterJohn RietiKey takeaways from the Ford government’s throne speechPremier Ford’s re-elected PC government unveiled its throne speech and its priorities for the new legislative session on Tuesday. CBC’s Shawn Jeffords has more details.What did Shawn Jeffords make of Tuesday’s speech? Well, he wasn’t surprised Trump was the main topic.Check out the video above to see his breakdown of today’s event.10 hours agoSpeech wrapped, once more with an eye to the U.S.Adam CarterDumont closed her speech, again pointing to the existential threat south of the border. She harkened back to when Ontario faced invasion and annexation from the United States during the War of 1812, when then-president Thomas Jefferson predicted that taking over Canada would be “a mere matter of marching.”“Much like the current occupant of the White House, President Jefferson greatly underestimated the strength and resilience of the Canadian people,” she said. “Two years and eight months later, American soldiers marched home, defeated.”Canada and Ontario have faced down threats like world wars and a global pandemic, she said, only to emerge stronger.“As we face this latest challenge, that same strength and resilience, that same sense of unity and purpose will guide us forward.”10 hours agoLiberals issue statement ahead of speechJohn RietiBonnie Crombie and the Ontario Liberals issued a news release ahead of the speech, saying Ontario needs to bolster its economy and also get the basics right.“Our focus will be on protecting the jobs we have, creating new ones, and making life more affordable,” she said. “The same problems that existed before Trump’s tariffs still exist today. Families want timely and accessible healthcare, homes they can afford, and functional classrooms. We will be looking for solutions to these problems in today’s Throne Speech, and we’re ready to present our own, should [the Ford government] fail to do so” she continued.10 hours agoSpeech outlines government’s stance on crimeAdam CarterDumont mentioned “Operation Deterrence” in her speech – a border security project launched in the wake of Trump’s initial tariff threats, which she said is “already producing results.”She also said the province is cracking down on crime, referencing the government’s decision to change nine safe consumption sites in the province into “recovery-oriented hubs” – another move that critics have denounced.Dumont chided the federal government over what she called a “broken bail system” that lets violent, repeat offenders back out into communities.“At the provincial level, your government will appoint tough-on-crime judges and justices of the peace that put the interests of victims ahead of criminals,” she said.“Your government will also continue to invest in and build new and expanded jails to make sure that these criminals stay behind bars.”10 hours agoProvince’s priorities for schoolsAdam CarterDumont also laid out the province’s education priorities, again touting a “back-to-basics approach” with a focus on subjects like reading, writing and math.She also said the province will be providing new chances for students to learn life skills like personal finance, and access to career coaching.“As Ontario continues its record investments in public education, your government will ensure that these and all investments are directed to students in the classroom, instead of increasing the size of school board administration,” she said.Dumont also said the provincial government will “continue to support Ontario’s colleges and universities,” including with increased funding for “training capacity and programs” that would “fill critical gaps” in the workforce.The province’s education sector has been calling for increased funding, especially in the wake of economic threats from the U.S.10 hours agoBuilding new homesAdam CarterDumont says the province will continue attempts to build local infrastructure in order to get new homes built.She references success in Vaughan and Mississauga, saying the province will work with municipalities to lower development costs that add to the cost of homes for families.The province will also bring more transparency to both cost and timelines for home building, “including for local development charges, study requirements and Building Code permit approvals,” she says.11 hours agoMega-tunnel, mega-cost John RietiFord’s plan to build tunnel under Highway 401 could cost $100B, expert saysProgressive Conservative Leader Doug Ford has said the province will build a tunnel under Highway 401 if he’s re-elected. But as CBC’s Lane Harrison explains, one expert says it could be the single-most expensive Ontario election promise in the last ten years.It’s worth noting the government still doesn’t have an estimate of how much the 401 tunnel would cost.During the election campaign the CBC’s Lane Harrison dug into it and spoke to an expert who said it could cost around $100 billion.
Ontario throne speech condemns ‘chaos and uncertainty’ caused by U.S. tariffs, economic threats
