Whitehorse Daily Star

Image title

Photo by Whitehorse Star

Yukon MP Larry Bagnell

Bagnell satisfied with Throne Speech content

Yukon MP Larry Bagnell had a busy first sitting day in Ottawa following last Thursday’s Speech from the Throne.

By Gabrielle Plonka on December 10, 2019

Yukon MP Larry Bagnell had a busy first sitting day in Ottawa following last Thursday’s Speech from the Throne.

Bagnell told the Star that afternoon he was pleased with the contents of the speech, which set out the priorities for the new minority government.

“I was very happy that (the speech) put in the things I passionately spoke about during the election,” Bagnell said.

He was sworn in as the MP early last week for the sixth time in his career. He has served in the House of Commons since the 2000 election, with the exception of the 2011-2016 term, served by Conservative Ryan Leef.

Bagnell said climate change and affordable housing were two key components of the throne speech, and the first big move from government will be to reduce taxes “for everyone except the very wealthy.”

“I think people will be happy with that,” Bagnell said. (Finance Minister Bill Morneau announced Monday the basic annual personal income tax exemption will rise to $15,000 by 2023, a measure the Bloc Québécois has said it will support when it’s voted on in the House of Commons.)

Bagnell said the speech outlined priorities important to each of the four main parties in Parliament and he was hopeful that would help to bridge the partisan divide in the minority government.

“There was basically something in there for every party,” Bagnell said.

He noted several priorities highlighted by the throne speech that were important to the Conservatives’ election campaign. Bagnell beat the Yukon’s Conservative candidate in October’s election by fewer than 200 votes.

These priorities included cutting red tape, lowering taxes, the first time home buyers’ incentive, working with other countries and getting Canadian resources to the international market.

The throne speech also promised a ban on “military-style” firearms, exploring changes to pharmacare and dental care and increasing general affordability.

While promising action on climate change, the speech also committed to continuing the Trans Mountain expansion pipeline project as a method of delivering Alberta oil to international markets.

He also said he was pleased to see a large section in the speech on First Nations, an issue he said is important to Yukoners.

The speech promised to continue implementing the calls for action in the Missing and Murdered Women and Girls report and to generally further reconciliation.

He said the Liberal government has committed to removing all of the long-term drinking water advisories in Indigenous communities by 2021.

Looking ahead, Bagnell said he is eager to work with the new Minister of Northern Affairs, Dan Vandal. This is the first time the Canadian government has appointed a minister focused singularly on the North.

“That shows the emphasis of this government on the North,” Bagnell said. “Of course, climate change, as I’ve been saying for over a decade, is hurting us in the North three times more than anywhere else in the world.”

Bagnell said he is cautiously optimistic that the parties in the House of Commons will be able to work together to move Canada forward.

“Hopefully, we can co-operate together. It’s a whole new scenario being a minority government,” he said. “It could end any day, but I think there is some common ground where we can work together.”

By the first afternoon of Parliament, Bagnell had already delivered a letter to the new Heritage minister and been in contact with the minister for Economic Development, he said.

He also began working on action to address fetal alcohol syndrome and said he is working closely with a Conservative member in early efforts to collaborate across the floor.

Bagnell said he is committed to maintaining healthy co-operation in the House.

“I think that’s what Canadians have asked us to do – they gave a lot of parties a number of representatives across the House.

“Canadians are suggesting they want us to work together to get things done for them, so hopefully there will be that collaboration across the board.”

The vote on the throne speech will be the first confidence vote slated to make or break this government.

It will require a full six days of debate before a vote can be held, which means the vote likely won’t happen until January, Government House Leader Pablo Rodriguez in an interview with media last Saturday.

Bloc Québécois Leader Yves-Francois Blanchet has already agreed to support the speech, which means the vote is likely to pass.

Comments (22)

Up 0 Down 0

Anton on Dec 17, 2019 at 4:19 am

@F. ubar : So if your not facing criminal charges then you are completely exonerated unless your name is Trudeau. Yes, I see how that works, that was a good beer.

Up 0 Down 0

drum on Dec 16, 2019 at 6:52 pm

Larry does not represent Yukoners - he does as he is told to do by Senior Liberal people in Ottawa. He does not have an opinion of his own.

Up 14 Down 4

F. Ubar on Dec 14, 2019 at 10:16 pm

Have another beer Anton - If it were embezzlement he would be facing criminal charges. He was simply taking advantage of a handout like the rest of you social loafers who hoover up my tax monies.

Up 7 Down 19

Anton on Dec 14, 2019 at 3:44 am

Did you guys hear? Did ya hear? Scheer resigns conservative leadership amid an embezzlement scandal. Talk about integrity!

Up 24 Down 3

alex on Dec 13, 2019 at 1:24 pm

@Brian, you're right. I am also a gun owner and I am not impressed either.
Trudeau and Blair in their infinite wisdom think that a confiscation with a budget of $600m is a good solution to a non-existent problem. i.e. the deaths caused by legal gun owners with "assault style military firearms".
If they had any brains at all they should concentrate on funding the RCMP and other police forces to deal with the gangs and fentanyl crisis. Almost 14,000 Canadians died since 2016. It is criminal to ignore it and it is ignorant to hassle licensed gun owners, again while people are literally dying left and right of something that could be prevented with proper police enforcement and social programs.
Source in link below:
https://www.ctvnews.ca/health/almost-14-000-canadians-killed-by-opioids-since-2016-national-study-1.4726076

Up 37 Down 9

Groucho d'North on Dec 12, 2019 at 12:25 pm

Of course Larry is pleased with the contents of the speech, I doubt he has the capacity to criticize his party in any manner.

Up 32 Down 9

Brian on Dec 12, 2019 at 12:01 pm

I wasn’t impressed, I am a law abiding firearms owner.
I don’t get it, the laws are in place to serve criminals punishment.
Why would I; a law abiding citizen have to be penalized for what is a tool for my heritage lifestyle?

They best crack down on issuing drivers licenses then if that’s the mentality. More drivers licenses issued then gun owners.
More people die from distracted driving, why is the government not doing more to save innocent pedestrians?

Up 34 Down 6

Just another target shooter on Dec 12, 2019 at 10:28 am

@Davis, you are a hunter, excellent. You are also the worst kind of fudd there is. What I mean is that as long as it doesn't affect you personally you'd sell your fellow gun owner out, correct? I am a target shooter. Does that mean that the money I have invested in my hobby is somehow are not as good as the money you have invested in yours?

Just because a rifle is a black, detachable mag fed, semi-auto it does not make it an assault rifle, no matter how much Bill Blair or Trudeau lie about it.
FYI Davis, when they come for your bolt action 300 win mag they will call it a high powered sniper rifle first.

IF the general public actually knew the process of obtaining a RPAL and what it entails to be a legal gun owner, including all the storage, transport and ATT (authorization to transport) laws maybe they wouldn't be so quick to support Trudeau's proposed gun confiscation and would rather ask Trudeau about why he can't enforce the laws on the books.

There are over 2 million licensed gun owners in Canada, if we were a problem, believe me you'd know about it.

Up 7 Down 36

Al Truistic on Dec 12, 2019 at 7:56 am

Great throne speech. I agree Larry something for all parties so we can really get Canada moving. The losers of the election are just that and will not even try to see anything progressive here. I still can't believe the GDP-debt and unemployment numbers that have been achieved but no sense in tooting our own horn. Let's go and accomplish so much more together.

Up 32 Down 10

jc on Dec 11, 2019 at 10:09 pm

Anie, Bagnal may be one of the longest running MPs, but don't count on any experience. He's just a vote for everything the liberal government puts out. That's all they need from him. He's doing what he was elected to do by his admirers.

Up 52 Down 11

Obi on Dec 11, 2019 at 3:45 pm

Larry, Larry, Larry!

There must be an elite school of "talking and saying nothing" somewhere in Ottawa.
Larry and his fellow politicians can talk 24-7-365 and say nothing of importance.....

Up 36 Down 4

Yukon Hunter Guy on Dec 11, 2019 at 3:41 pm

@Davis, what do you consider an assault style firearm, I don't see how it's different from any other semi-automatic firearm. Other than being black or green instead of wood.

Up 37 Down 10

Anie on Dec 11, 2019 at 2:31 pm

By now Mr Bagnell must be one of the most experienced liberal MPs (3 terms, I think). Yet the party does not think enough of him to make him either a minister or even a parliamentary secretary despite the huge cabinet - a cabinet that includes the preposterous Minister of middle class prosperity.

Up 17 Down 39

Davis on Dec 11, 2019 at 12:15 pm

@Thomas Brewer - I disagree. I am an avid hunter and support their gun control proposal. Like everything in politics, it isn't perfect, but I feel it is good step to take. There is no rational argument in my mind for a hunter to require an assault style rifle or handgun.

Up 52 Down 10

Yukon Hunter Guy on Dec 11, 2019 at 8:51 am

The gun control portion of the speech made no sense to me. They intend to prohibit certain firearms from properly licensed individuals. How does that stop mass shootings or gang related crime? Getting a firearms license is no small fete.

Up 47 Down 13

Juniper Jackson on Dec 10, 2019 at 9:53 pm

I'm sure you were satisfied Larry.. seeing as how most of you are already on that big Mothership in the sky. I thought, it was silly. AND it did not mention the west, it didn't talk about the illegals, or crime, or anything else that I thought was important. But, I don't care for this GG either.

Up 58 Down 8

F. Ubar on Dec 10, 2019 at 7:18 pm

Why does it matter if Larry is satisfied with the Throne Speech? That is bass-ackwards! This offends the democratic principle that they are elected to represent the will of the people. What do you people think about the Throne Speech?

Up 46 Down 18

jc on Dec 10, 2019 at 5:42 pm

And don't worry about an early election Larry. With the Bloc Quebecois supporting you're minority it'll stay the whole four years. Here's how it works, the Liberals give Quebec everything it demands, the Liberal government holds on. Then, just before the next election in 2023, Liberals start cutting big checks for the visible minorities, the new immigrant arrivals and 1st Nations like they did the last time and walla, another Liberal government elected. Great strategy. But it works. And still nothing for the seniors.

Up 38 Down 13

Wilf Carter on Dec 10, 2019 at 5:38 pm

If there is something in there for everyone. Nothing in here on economic development for Yukon like the $260 million for resource, roads, new hydro projects to export green energy in partnership with BC and Alaska. Really nothing in this to help Canadians a a major way. Same as election promises everything but delivery??

Up 59 Down 11

jc on Dec 10, 2019 at 5:34 pm

And I notice again there is nothing for Seniors. We who helped develop this country during our lifetime get squat for our efforts again. Care to explain that to us Larry?

Up 51 Down 16

jc on Dec 10, 2019 at 5:32 pm

"Climate change is hurting us in the north 3 times more than anywhere else in the world". Huh! Care to elaborate Bagnel? Is it time for all Yukoners to wear face masks like an odd few from the Orient? Come on Larry, where in the world did you get that ridiculous statement from?

Up 50 Down 16

Thomas Brewer on Dec 10, 2019 at 3:36 pm

Keep towing the Liberal line on firearms Larry and you can guarantee you won't get voted in again (even by the slimmest of margins) in 18 months.

Add your comments or reply via Twitter @whitehorsestar

In order to encourage thoughtful and responsible discussion, website comments will not be visible until a moderator approves them. Please add comments judiciously and refrain from maligning any individual or institution. Read about our user comment and privacy policies.

Your name and email address are required before your comment is posted. Otherwise, your comment will not be posted.