Saint John-Rothesay MP Wayne Long (Image: Danielle McCreadie)
Saint John-Rothesay MP Wayne Long says Wednesday’s Speech from the Throne was good news for Canadians.
He cited commitments to create a national child-care program, a national pharmacare program, and expanded employment insurance benefits as important moves that would benefit New Brunswickers.
Long also touted his party’s extension of the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy, which will now remain in place until next summer.
“The fact we can offer an extension of the wage subsidy is a lifeline for many, many businesses in my riding,” Long said.
He believes the speech, which came amid a pandemic, was responsive and recognized the needs of all Canadians.
“I think the throne speech showed we’ve got the backs of Canadians, and I’m proud we stood up and delivered something very meaningful,” said Long.
With the Canada Emergency Response Benefit winding down at the end of September, news on expanded employment insurance is a hot topic.
NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh told reporters after the speech that his party would not support the Liberals unless they guaranteed paid sick leave and extended the CERB program.
Long says he’s pleased by his party’s commitment to offering paid sick leave for all Canadians.
“We’ve had calls in our office regularly from people that are really distraught,” he said. “They don’t feel well, they’re concerned about their health. But they still need to go to work.”
Long believes the NDP will come on board and a fall election will be avoided.
Erin O’Toole’s pledge that the Conservative party would not support the speech came as no surprise to Long. He criticized the Liberal’s opposition party for what he believes is a hypocritical response to the speech.
“On one side they’re saying they want to expand the CERB. On the other they’re saying they want to cut back programs like the wage subsidy,” Long said. “And then on the other hand they say we are investing too much, but they want to give a blank check to all the provinces with basically an unchecked transfer payment.”
The Saint John-Rothesay MP says he understands the opposition has a job to do, but he believes this isn’t the right time for those complaints.
“It’s not a time for politics. It’s not a time to be divisive. It’s a time for us to come together as Canadians, and I think that throne speech yesterday hit the nail on the head.”
