Paint by Numbers: Framing the Throne Speech
Full disclosure: I know some of the people who worked on the Speech from the Throne and I think they did an amazing job in a very difficult context.
Since I left the PMO, yesterday was one of the first times I actually missed it. Being part of history – even in the smallest way – is always a privilege. I do wish I’d had the chance to write for the King, though let’s be honest: a Throne Speech is probably the least fun speech to write.
For those who don’t know this already, the Speech from the Throne is written by the PMO, usually for the Governor General, but in this case for the monarch himself. I helped write two Speeches from the Throne: in 2020 and in 2021. They’re essentially long to-do lists, where the challenge is figuring out how to say “the government will” a dozen different ways without sounding like a robot. The only real room for storytelling is in shaping the bigger picture: the story of what the government stands for. You have to colour within the lines, usually re-using wording from the campaign platform.
In 2021, I tried my best to do all of this, but Bloc Québécois leader Yves-François Blanchet still gave me a failing grade.
Ouch.
What surprised me most, both in 2020 and 2021, was how eager people were to count words, as though this was an effective tool to measure priorities. I remember a Conservative MP saying for example we had only mentioned “mental health” X number of times and it wasn’t enough.
So today, I thought I’d share a few numbers. You can decide for yourself whether they mean anything at all.
2020 Throne Speech (GG Julie Payette) “A Stronger and More Resilient Canada”: 6783 words total
2021 Throne Speech (GG Mary Simon) – “Building a resilient economy: a cleaner & healthier future for our kids”: 2777 words total
2025 Throne Speech (King Charles) – “Building Canada Strong: A bold, ambitious plan for our future”: 2442 words total
In 2021, each section started with the leitmotiv “this is the moment to…”. This year, each section starts with “Building…”.
Oh and by the way, it seems like the government wants to bring housing costs down after all! Because I thought one of the first thing the new Housing Minister Gregor Robertson said after being sworn in was: "No, I think that we need to deliver more supply and make sure the market is stable,” when asked if he felt housing prices needed to go down.
Contrary to what the Minister said, the Throne Speech is clear:
“The Government will drive supply up to bring housing costs down.”
Pretty clear.
Read more about this issue and housing policy in general in this excellent newsletter:
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Photo by BEN STANSALL /POOL/AFP via Getty Images
Yesterday, the King said the word “economy” 8 times, and Mary Simon said it 12 times in 2021. He said “build” 10 times (is you don’t count “building” and “rebuild”), “Protect” 10 times, and “Indigenous” 9 times.
He only said the word “climate” twice, once to describe a series of threats, and one as an afterthought in the energy section “…while fighting climate change.”
Climate change is a theme that used to have its whole paragraph or portion in 2020 and 2021.
Also out this year is “middle class”: it was only used once to describe a tax bracket.
Out: “Canada Child Benefit”, “middle class and people working hard to join it”, “health”
“Families” was used twice by the King, only in the affordability section, not in housing or security.
Words that weren’t in the two previous Throne Speeches included: “President of the United States” and, of course, “the True North strong and free.”
I could go on and on, but what do you think? Does word count really matter?