`Doable' throne speech needed now

Back in midsummer, as COVID -19 numbers waned and fresh optimism bubbled, a federal Liberal could look hopefully toward the fall to introduce ambitious programs for a green economy and unveil radical plans to redistribute wealth. People broadly thought governments handled the pandemic well, and poll numbers were decent. True, there was that pesky business with the WE Charity, but nothing a little prorogation couldn't solve. And if an election came, well, that was fine too.

Scant weeks later, Canadians are leery of ambitious new directions and untried policies. Next week's throne speech needs to be an exercise in restraint, a signal that those in charge are adults, not exuberant adventurers.

The deficit is creeping toward $400 billion, businesses are going under or barely clinging to life, workers still face bleak prospects. And when the academic year started — too soon and with not enough planning — bedlam ensued. Schools could not guarantee proper physical distancing, and online learning programs ranged from the barely competent to the utterly confused. COVID-19 rates started to mount. In the most recent week, Canada averaged about 780 new diagnosed cases a day, more than double the numbers in July, according to the country's chief medical officer, who said “we could lose the ability to keep COVID-19 cases at manageable levels.” Ottawa's medical officer of health says we're in the “second wave.” And we can't even manage COVID-19 testing properly.

So the Trudeau government needs to yank down the many trial balloons it has floated over the last month and focus Wednesday's mission statement on sensible priorities.

The provinces want more health care money beyond the emergency injections provided. Nothing new; the provinces always want more health funding (and they get it). Announce a reasonable approach to the ongoing discussion.

The government needs to show vision beyond short-term bailouts. Programs such as the CERB have saved many, but have also discouraged others from working. There must be a plan to help transition people back to productive activity. Canada's staggering federal deficit cannot continue to swell. The throne speech must indicate a way out.

Specific priorities from past throne speeches may merit recycling, if the government actually intends to act on them this time: more free votes for MPs, for instance, or ending those dreaded omnibus bills. Good ideas that cost nothing.

But overall, prime minister: keep it modest, doable and reassuring. Canadians are trying to rebuild their lives, and they want stability, not drama. Lofty visions can wait.