Poverty, environment to be cornerstones of McGuinty government
Last Updated: Thursday, November 29, 2007 | 9:05 AM ET
The Canadian Press
Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty says poverty and climate change will be two areas of focus for his newly re-elected government.
McGuinty said the Liberals will use Thursday's throne speech to signal their intention to keep building on successes in health care and education.
He said there won't be any dramatic surprises in the throne speech, which outlines the government's intentions for the next session of the legislature.
McGuinty said there will be a new effort across all ministries to tackle poverty, including specific targets to help motivate the government.
He said targets have worked in reducing class sizes, improving test scores in schools and hospital wait times and will help with poverty reduction as well.
Social activists say McGuinty should make a poverty reduction strategy a top priority for his second term.
New Democrat Leader Howard Hampton said he expects "a very superficial throne speech laden with platitudes" that won't address poverty.
Progressive Conservative Leader John Tory said the speech should focus on the economy and job creation, saying the Liberals still don't have a solid economic plan.
