Carmen Buitrago, CNN • Updated 4th February 2019
( CNN ) — Canada is putting the focus on its economy in a two-day throne speech that kept reassuring citizens that the country is safe — as, with the much anticipated end of the election campaign, attention turns to Brexit and the state of the economy.
Cabinet ministers used their speech to recast Canada’s diplomatic approach on climate change and trade, while stressing the importance of jobs and protecting the environment.
Among the other emerging issues facing the country are a slowdown in China — the second-largest trade partner of Canada — its ongoing diplomatic and trade dispute with Saudi Arabia and the fact that it will become a “neutral arbiter” for the Palestine-Israel conflict when it is due to host a session of the UN Security Council in May.
Harsher penalties may be in store for OPEC cartel members and Iran while some Canadian companies will be warned to buy from Canadian companies or their supplies could be shut out of markets.
Much of the attention, however, was focused on Canada’s first female prime minister.