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

Inhis first thronespeech,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 byLt.-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 Brunswickersvoted 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 totheir rights to harvest Crown timber.

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

Grahamalso vowedto work with residents of Northern New Brunswick to create abold, new agenda for economic development.