The Speech from the Throne officially opens every new session of Parliament, and sets out the broad goals and directions of the government and the initiatives it will undertake to accomplish those goals. The 2015 Speech from the Throne is taking place on December 4.

For the first time in Canadian history, members of the public are invited to come together for a televised viewing of the Speech from the Throne procession and ceremony. The viewing will take place at the Sir John A. Macdonald Building in Ottawa, a fully-renovated heritage building first opened in 1932.

Prior to the delivery of the speech, David Charette, a multi-disciplinary artist originally from the Wikwemikong Unceded Reserve – located on Manitoulin Island in Ontario – is performing an Indigenous honour song for Their Excellencies the Right Honourable David Johnston, Governor General of Canada, and Mrs. Sharon Johnston, the Prime Minister and Mrs. Sophie Grégoire-Trudeau, and other members of the Vice-Regal party. The party is also being greeted in the Hall of Honour by new Canadians, Syrian refugees, and youth from École secondaire catholique Franco-Cité and Henry Larsen Elementary School.

The Governor General will deliver the Speech from the Throne in the Senate Chamber to open the first session of the 42^nd Parliament. Youth from Roberta Bondar Public School and Lisgar Collegiate Institute have also been invited to the Senate Chamber to witness the delivery of the speech. The Speech from the Throne will be broadcast live on television and online.

The Government of Canada’s efforts to involve the public in the delivery of the Speech from the Throne are yet another way that it is engaging Canadians in a more open and transparent manner.