Graham's first throne speech outlines plans for self-sufficiency

Last Updated: Tuesday, February 6, 2007 | 3:27 PM ET

CBC News

In his first throne speech, Liberal Premier Shawn Graham promised to crack down on impaired drivers and prescription drug abuse and lay the groundwork for self-sufficiency over the next 20 years.

In the speech, delivered on Graham's behalf by Lt.-Gov. Hermengilde Chaisson, the premier promised to take action on public safety, by seeking tougher law enforcement against drunk drivers, a ban on young people driving off-road vehicles, and a prescription monitoring program to control abuse of narcotics.

The government presented a new plan for education, which included turning schools into community learning centres and providing more help for students with special needs.

New Brunswickers voted for change — selecting Graham as their first Liberal premier since Camille Theriault in 1998 — and the Graham government wanted to show it's delivering. To that end, it offered up an action plan on climate change and a new relationship with native peoples, reflecting changes to their rights to harvest Crown timber.

The Liberals promised more partnerships to make affordable housing available within the province.

Graham also vowed to work with residents of Northern New Brunswick to create a bold, new agenda for economic development.