PM looks to shift focus back to jobs

Throne Speech will chart map for Tory hopes

What’s old may be new again in the Conservative government’s refreshed agenda and upcoming October throne speech — one that’s expected to focus heavily on the economy and middle-class families, and chart a roadmap heading into the 2015 election.

Prime Minister Stephen Harper confirmed this week he will prorogue Parliament and launch a new parliamentary session in the fall with a speech from the throne in October that lays out the government’s priorities heading into the next election campaign.

“The most important thing for (the government) is to take back the agenda because they’ve lost that over the last six months,” explained Dan Mader, senior consultant with StrategyCorp and former chief of staff to a handful of cabinet ministers.

‘I’m kind of expecting economy, with a heaping pile of jobs and a side order of trade as the entree. I’m suspecting there’s going to be an awful lot on the family.’ JIM ARMOUR Former communications director to Harper

“The focus has not been on what the government is doing. It has been on the Senate scandals and various other things. They’ve been knocked off-message.”

Harper has said a number of familiar themes will continue to top the government’s updated agenda in the throne speech and new session of Parliament, including a continued focus on the economy and jobs, safe streets, celebrating Canadian history leading up to Canada’s 150th birthday in 2017, and promoting Canada’s interests abroad via trade and foreign relations.

The prime minister said Tuesday during his northern tour that “there’s a need to refresh legislation” and his government will focus on jobs and growth.

Indeed, Mader believes the throne speech will trumpet the need for prudent economic management and highlight new criminal justice legislation that, while often controversial, sells well to Canadian voters.

A number of issues expected to be addressed in the coming months that may very well be included in the throne speech, say political observers, include consumer-focused policies that help the middle class; combating family violence and cyberbullying; and a renewed emphasis on democratic reform — including new rules on robocalls and reforming the scandal-plagued Senate.

Several other issues such as aboriginal education and economic development, and transportation safety (including of dangerous goods) could also receive significant attention in the throne speech. But some observers believe environmental issues such as overdue greenhouse gas regulations for the oil and gas sector won’t garner much attention.

“I’m kind of expecting economy, with a heaping pile of jobs and a side order of trade as the entree,” said Jim Armour, vice-president with Summa Strategies and former director of communications to Harper while in opposition.

“I’m suspecting there’s going to be an awful lot on the family, and middle-class families in particular,” he added.

Helping middle-class families has become a common refrain for political leaders from the main parties.

The NDP and Leader Tom Mulcair have for years highlighted “kitchen-table issues,” while Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau has been trumpeting the need to help struggling middle-class families.

The government’s focus on consumers and middle-class families can already be seen in its efforts to promote more competition in the wireless industry and its battle with Canada’s big three telecom companies over U.S.-based Verizon’s possible entry into Canada, Armour noted.

A number of government bills currently before the House of Commons and Senate will die when the Conservatives suspend Parliament.

However, the Conservative government could also pass a motion to reinstate the current bills and resume debate in a new Parliament.