OTTAWA: Prime Minister Stephen Harper's government headed into a new session of parliament Monday vowing to push through changes aimed at bolstering Canada's fiscal standing and finalizing major trade deals.
Government House Leader Peter Van Loan outlined the ruling Conservatives' legislative priorities which the opposition criticized as "very ominous." These included pension reforms, trade deals and deep budget cuts.
Van Loan said the government would trim billions of dollars in spending, ratify trade deals with Panama and Jordan and sign new agreements with India and the European Union, and roll out pooled registered pension plans.
Reports said the government is also considering raising the pension age from 65 to 67 while looking for CAN$8 billion in spending cuts.
"Our government is going to continue to provide strong economic leadership so we stay one of the strongest economies in the world for generations to come," Van Loan said.
"We don't want to go down the (tax and spend) path of the European Union, some of those countries that are facing significant crises," he said, pointing to Greece's debt woes.
The government also plans to update Canada's copyright laws, tweak banking regulations, eliminate a long-gun registry -- part of Harper's long-running effort to end controls on hunting rifles and shotguns -- and toughen crime legislation.
Opposition New Democratic Party MP Peter Julian responded in a scrum: "If the government tries to push through these measures, there will be a strong and energetic opposition from the NDP.
"Very, very clearly this government has taken off the sweater vests," he said in a cute reference to Harper's attire, trading in a suit and tie, during the last election in May 2011 that won him his first majority.
"They've taken off any pretense of moderation and responsible approach to public policy."
"We believe very strongly this is not the way to go. And we will be making that point every day in the House of Commons and in committees and right across our parliamentary institutions."
The opposition will also press the Tories to act on the plight of aboriginals in remote reserves gripped by poverty, unemployment, and health and social woes.
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