October 2021

The Legislative Assembly of Ontario reconvened on October 4th, with a Speech From The Throne presented by the Lieutenant Governor, Her Honour the Honourable Elizabeth Dowdeswell.

The Honourable Elizabeth Dowdeswell was a distinguished Canadian public servant for decades, including a term as an Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations. She assumed the vice-regal role as Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth’s representative in the Province of Ontario in 2014. She has promoted awareness of the need to safeguard our democratic institutions, and has visited every Riding in the Province to support community organizations. Demonstrating a keen and genuine interest and concern for all Ontarians, she has been a reassuring and stabilizing presence in the Province throughout her tenure as Lieutenant Governor, but never more than during the past 18 months.

The Throne Speech, written by the Government but read by Her Honour, is intended to paint a vision of the Government’s plans for the new session of Parliament. While Governments always want to convey a sense of purpose, Opposition parties always say the effort falls short and overlooks the Province’s most urgent problems.

In the years that I have served in the Ontario Legislature, I have been present for many Throne Speeches. But in this Parliament, I have had the privilege of watching these Speeches as the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly.

As Speaker, I am very busy with my duties at Queen’s Park. I continue to urge a greater degree of cooperation amongst MPPs while we debate important matters that will impact the Province’s future. I also continue to make the concerns of the people of Wellington-Halton Hills my priority. When the House is sitting, I am in touch with our Riding Office throughout the day. I work with Ministers, Government and Opposition MPPs alike. On Fridays, as always, I work in our Riding Office, mostly returning phone calls, responding to emails and participating in Zoom meetings. We seek to ensure your voice is heard at Queen’s Park.

The work continues. I believe we have turned the corner on COVID-19. And as we safely celebrate Thanksgiving, we are grateful for better days to come.