By MPP Bobbi Ann Brady
It was back to Queen’s Park last week. It felt a bit like the first day of school. Jitters meeting new colleagues and reconnecting with others on files like an energy project at the Nanticoke Industrial Park and, of course, the reconstruction of the Caledonia bridge. It all became old hat quickly. As the 44th Parliament commenced, we elected a new Speaker of the House — congratulations Donna Skelly.
The next day featured an historic tradition whereby the Lieutenant Governor delivered the Speech from the Throne unveiling the government’s priorities. One major theme stood out — Donald Trump was mentioned 12 times in the document entitled, “Protect Ontario.”
It is incredible two centuries ago when the first legislative assembly met in 1792, members also confronted the question of how to protect their new homeland. Here we are in 2025 facing significant challenges shaped by Ontario and Canada’s partnership and proximity to the United States.
While the speech contains five key takeaways, it is not until you reach page seven that any substance can be found: it’s the government committing to tearing down internal trade barriers within Canada. Subsequently, the following day (Wednesday) legislation was introduced with respect to free trade in Canada.
Bill 2, Protect Ontario Through Free Trade Within Canada Act, 2025 would see goods and services produced in other provinces and territories treated the same as in Ontario so long as the other provinces/territories commit. Further, credentials earned elsewhere in Canada will automatically be recognized in Ontario to assist with filling gaps in the province’s labour force. Why can’t a plumber from Nova Scotia be a plumber in Ontario? Why are the contents of a First Aid Kit different in Ontario than other provinces? How can we agree with other countries if we cannot agree within our own country?
I will take that thought process one step further as the Premier made a comment following the Speech from the Throne saying he has never hesitated to reach across Party aisles to find solutions. I have not seen that in the over 2.5 years I have been your representative – the Premier is perhaps attempting to turn over a new leaf of cooperation where there is no monopoly on a good idea.
If all goes well, we might want to thank President Trump for forcing us to focus our attention on interprovincial trade issues that have not been a major talking point for a long time.
Aside from interprovincial trade, the Ring of Fire was highlighted, and the speech gave a nod to nuclear power and infrastructure development. It also laid out an $11 billion fund for businesses impacted by tariffs.
While I can support some of the items in the Speech from the Throne, the devil, as they say, will be in the details, and there were once again missed opportunities. Missed opportunities such as tax cuts and major red tape reduction. I am a firm believer that if we cut taxes, reduce red tape, and get out of the way of the people of Ontario, we can weather today’s storm and those on the horizon. At the end of the day, I’m afraid the lead speech for the new parliament failed to assure Ontarians there will be any substantial relief for families.
And being from Haldimand-Norfolk, I disliked that the Throne Speech had nary a mention of agriculture or rural Ontario. I’ve communicated with the Premier; the Minister of Agriculture, Food & Agribusiness; and the Government House Leader that I will help them put rural Ontario back in the limelight any way I can, including quarterbacking the creation of a standing committee dedicated to agriculture and rural affairs.
It will be interesting to see how the 44th Parliament plays out, but I am looking for legislation from this government that will protect you, the hardworking taxpayer. In the meantime, I will be asking the tough questions on issues of local importance because while we deal with threats from the south, we cannot ignore what’s happening in our counties.
Bobbi Ann Brady is the MPP for Haldimand-Norfolk