May 27 2025
Today’s Speech from the Throne sets the tone for the new government’s agenda, but the National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE) is warning that too many critical questions were left unanswered.
“In a moment of global uncertainty, Canadians need clear, concrete commitments to strengthen the public services they depend on, confront inequality head-on, and take real action on the climate crisis,” said NUPGE President Bert Blundon. “What we heard today falls short of the thoughtful vision and plan workers and families need. We are ready to press this government to deliver meaningful solutions to the problems people are facing.”
Austerity and public Services
Blundon expressed deep concern over the signals of austerity woven through today’s throne speech. “While the government promises to maintain transfers to provinces and territories, we know that if those transfers fail to keep pace with inflation, they effectively amount to cuts,” he said.
The government’s announcement of plans to cap the public service and place greater reliance on technology that is still far from perfect is also raising alarm. “These are major shifts that are being announced without consultation, and they risk disproportionately harming the most vulnerable workers and undermining the public services folks count on.” Blundon noted that when new technologies are rushed into service in the hopes of saving money, too often the quality of service has suffered, costs have risen, and workers in the public sector have been forced to rely on band-aid solutions.
Taxes and housing
Today’s Speech sees an alarming pairing: austerity, and tax cuts skewed toward higher-income households with housing strategies reliant on private developers. “These measures will drain the public purse while failing to meet the urgent needs of young workers, renters, and families struggling with affordability,” said Blundon. “Our union has been calling on the government to invest in building public, affordable, and accessible housing, because we now know that moving from those affordable options has been one of the drivers of the current housing crisis.”
Temporary foreign workers and post-secondary education
The government’s focus should avoid measures that risk scapegoating international students and temporary foreign workers – people who make real contributions to Canada every day. “We’ve already seen how sudden policy shifts have disrupted the public post-secondary education sector, especially colleges – this is not a sustainable or fair approach,” said Blundon. NUPGE is urging the government to work on aligning policies with local labour market needs and create fair, clear pathways to permanent residency for those already studying and working in Canada.
Climate and leadership
Canada must act decisively and lead on the climate crisis. “We cannot afford to treat climate action as a secondary issue,” Blundon said. The government must prioritize and invest in the transition to a greener economy that is fair for workers and communities. “We propose building on the recommendations of the Union-Labour Adjustment Taskforce (ULAT) to emphasize job-creating climate policies that put people and the planet first.”
Child care and expanded social programs
NUPGE welcomes the government’s continued commitment to the Canada-wide early learning and child care system, as well as national pharmacare and dental care. “These hard-won public programs, if strengthened, will help people make ends meet, while also reinforcing our social fabric ,” said Blundon.
Equity, diversity, inclusion and accessibility
The Throne Speech silence on issues of equity, diversity, inclusion, accessibility and anti-racism is cause for deep concern. “To be clear, these are not side issues but core solutions to collective problems,” Blundon said. He explained that without clear commitments, we risk falling into patterns of division, exclusion, and assimilation, missing the leadership moment Canada could show at home and abroad. “As a union, we know equity is a central part of the solution, not the problem. We urge the government not to sidestep its responsibility by ignoring equity issues on its agenda. Our country deserves leadership that faces problems to better bring us together, not one that leaves people behind.”
Interprovincial trade barriers
It is worrying to see the Speech form the Throne use an estimate for the economic impact of removing inter-provincial trade barriers that has been questioned by a number of economists. Many so-called inter-provincial trade barriers exist for a reason, such as rules protecting manufacturing jobs in Newfoundland and Labrador. “While everyone is in favour of increasing inter-provincial trade, we must pay attention to avoidable negative consequences. Our union is recommending a transparent process be put in place to review proposed changes,” said Blundon.
Moving forward, NUPGE will be looking to the government not only to deliver on its promises to protect public assets like CBC/Radio-Canada and agricultural supply management, but also to advance inclusion, equity, and the rights and well-being of all workers, including young workers, migrant workers, and those marginalized by current systems.
“Our union is ready to work with all those who are committed to an agenda that reflects the real priorities of people across Canada,” said Blundon. “We are determined to fight for strong public services, real equity, and the collective rights that will shape a better future for everyone.”