The Harper government outlined its plan for the next four years of majority rule -- including its intentions to slay the deficit and pass sweeping new crime legislation -- in a throne speech officially opening Canada's 41st session of Parliament.
The speech, delivered by Gov. Gen. David Johnston in the Senate Chamber on Parliament Hill, was relatively short and to the point. It focused on key priority areas for the Conservatives, who won 166 of 308 federal seats in the May 2 election.
"With this clear mandate, our Government will deliver on its commitments," such as focusing "on jobs and growth," Johnston read.
The government's economic plans include creating new tax credits "for individuals and families," forging an agreement with Quebec on the Harmonized Sales Tax, providing assistance for worker skills training and reforming Canadian copyright law.
The speech also touched on the prospect of "targeted investments" to spur research and development at Canadian universities and colleges, and mentioned a new strategy that "enhances digital infrastructure."
On health care, the Johnston repeated an earlier Tory pledge to keep up with a six-percent increase in transfer payments to the provinces. On immigration, the government pledged to crack down on marriage fraud and human smuggling.
The speech also confirmed that the Conservatives intend to hold a parliamentary debate about Canada's involvement in the NATO-led mission to Libya.
It mentioned forthcoming "law-and-order legislation" that will target sex offenders as well as changes to house-arrest conditions and pardons, anti-gang measures, stiffer sentences for senior abuse and stronger laws "on self-defence."
Other priorities include phasing out the $2-per-vote subsidy for political parties, dismantling the long-gun registry and ending the Canadian Wheat Board's monopoly.
The government said it plans to reform the Senate and establish a new Office of Religious Freedom to protect minorities abroad.
There weren't many surprises in the speech. Much of its content was previously outlined in the Tory election platform. That means there was nothing new for those who did not vote Conservative, although the Harper government has promised to work for them as well.
"We will get back to work on the things that matter most to Canadians: good jobs, security for our families and a prosperous future," Johnston read.
The speech reiterated the Conservatives' intention to eliminate the federal deficit by 2014, mainly by slashing government spending.
It also promised to take action "to address the barriers to social and economic participation that many Aboriginal Canadians face."
Reaction from leaders of the opposition parties was swift and critical.
Speaking to reporters, NDP Leader Jack Layton called the speech "a presentation of former ideas, of old ideas."
"It was really a recitation of what they had proposed to do before, not really much of an outreach to other parties… So that's disappointing," he said.
"On election night, Prime Minister Harper said that he would work in a different way with the other parties, and there's no mention of this in the throne speech today, sadly."
Liberal Leader Bob Rae said there was "a tone of complacency" in the speech.
He called the Tories' proposed "tough-on-crime" proposals "reactionary" measures that fail to address socio-economic realities, and said that the speech failed to outline a clear vision of Canada's foreign policy.
"There's a lack of imagination in what they're offering us as Canadians to make sure we have a safe future," Rae told reporters in French.
Finance Minister Jim Flaherty is set to unveil the federal budget on Monday. That document is expected to be similar to the one he tabled in March, before the Harper government was defeated, triggering the last election.
The throne speech came a day after MPs gathered in the House of Commons, where they elected a new Speaker, Andrew Scheer.
With files from The Canadian Press
