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Gov. Gen. David Johnston and his wife Sharon take their places as he prepares to deliver the Speech from the Throne in the Senate Chamber on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, Friday June 3, 2011. (Sean Kilpatrick / THE CANADIAN PRESS) Gov. Gen. David Johnston arrives on Parliament Hill on Friday, June 3, 2011. The Senate Chamber sits empty shortly before the 2011 Throne Speech on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, Friday June 3, 2011. (Sean Kilpatrick / THE CANADIAN PRESS) Gov. Gen. David Johnston and his wife Sharon Johnston stand in Senate Chamber during the 2011 Throne Speech on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, Friday June 3, 2011

Throne speech expected to focus on the economy

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Gov. Gen. David Johnston and his wife Sharon take their places as he prepares to deliver the Speech from the Throne in the Senate Chamber on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, Friday June 3, 2011. (Sean Kilpatrick / THE CANADIAN PRESS) Gov. Gen. David Johnston arrives on Parliament Hill on Friday, June 3, 2011. The Senate Chamber sits empty shortly before the 2011 Throne Speech on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, Friday June 3, 2011. (Sean Kilpatrick / THE CANADIAN PRESS) Gov. Gen. David Johnston and his wife Sharon Johnston stand in Senate Chamber during the 2011 Throne Speech on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, Friday June 3, 2011

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Gov. Gen. David Johnston and his wife Sharon take their places as he prepares to deliver the Speech from the Throne in the Senate Chamber on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, Friday June 3, 2011. (Sean Kilpatrick / THE CANADIAN PRESS)

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Date: Fri. Jun. 3 2011 2:07 PM ET

Canada's 41st session of Parliament will officially open Friday with a throne speech expected to outline the Harper government's priorities for the next four years, from the economy to Senate reform.

It will be read by Gov.-Gen. David Johnston, marking his first opportunity to deliver the speech since being appointed to the job last year.

The speech, to be delivered in the Senate Chamber, is expected to be relatively short and to the point, and focused on key priority areas for the Conservatives such as passing the federal budget next week.

"I think it's going to be a rehash of the kind of things the prime minister talked about during the election," Gerry Nicholls, a political consultant, told CTV's Canada AM.

"It will be steady as she goes, focused on the economy and he might bring up specific promises like the Wheat Board, government subsidies and the gun registry, Senate reform, but there will be nothing shocking, no major surprises today."

The document is also expected to make mention of the Conservatives' plan to eliminate the $2-per-vote subsidy for political parties, and to push through the party's crime legislation that died in the House of Commons when the election was called.

The throne speech may also outline the government's new plan to expand the House of Commons to reflect growing populations in Ontario, B.C. and Alberta.

Top of the agenda, however, will be the Conservatives' federal budget. The fiscal plan was printed and released in March, but was never voted on by MPs because the country was thrust into an election.

Conservative Finance Minister Jim Flaherty will reintroduce the largely unchanged budget on Monday.

With the party's new majority government status, the document is expected to easily pass when it goes to a vote in the House of Commons.

Government House Leader Peter Van Loan said on Thursday the party wants to have the budget passed before MPs go on their summer break later this month.

"The number one priority as we said during the election is the economy, and that means getting our budget throught the House," he told Don Martin, host of CTV's Power Play on Thursday.

Van Loan said the government also intends to introduce a bill to extend Canada's mission in Libya before MPs head home for the summer.

Comments are now closed for this story

KAS
said

Well, WILL, I guess I'm just an ignorant woman, to think that it doesn't take money to get things done in the world. DUH! Maybe I should try to obtain medicines for my children, or a bus pass for myself, by sitting and smiling sweetly, instead of paying for it. Think I could do it? Come on! You can try to twist words all you want, to make others appear dumb. But, the fact is that if the government loses focus of PEOPLE, and only pays attention to money, they miss the point.


elBarto
said

please stop using the term 'Harper Government'


RWR
said

Canada is not "leading" the way in economic recovery. Canada is 9TH in the world.


Mr. Johnston
said

If the economy is our Governments focal point then why is PM Harper allowing Postal Workers to strike? As such, a strike is weakening our economy; it's hurting small businesses and slowing the momentum of growth and prosperity. It’s time to legislate these uniformed vagabonds back into action. Now is the time to work, not sit and home or walk the picket line.


Kevin in Alberta
said

After devouring any news I can find on the American economy and where it is headed, which is straight down, I am so relieved to see that Canada will again lead the way in fiscal responsibility.Say what you want about the Conservative Government, but they will have our financial house in order and we will stay the envy of the rest of the world.


Raj
said

it was good budget the last time around, and layton etc wanted to vote it down.Too bad so sad, we get to see it again( yeah) , and all layton can do, is look after Quebec.he's replaced the bloc! Well done PM


Hugh
said

Let's get tough on crime. There is the old saying " IF you can't do the time -DON"T do the crime". It still should still apply. No more slap on the wrist for bad boys and girls.


Peter in MB
said

Good for you Mr PM. I am looking forward to you continuing to prove All the So-Called experts wrong. Just like you proved them wrong with the longest running minority. And Most important you proved Brain Mulroney Wrong when he said you need Quebec if you want a majority government. Also you did not need the GTA either. Both regions are filled with spoiled brats who think they should have their cake and eat it to and dictate terms to the rest of Canada. The lefties and separatists never expected the west, rule Ontario and eastern Canada to unit and send enough conservative MPs thought the back doors of parliament and get a majority in the house. We are the regions of Canada that have been mistreated, abused and Ignored for many years. And we are not going to take it anymore!


Gerry from MB. but not N.D.P.
said

The U.S.A.news outlets are in love with Broke Obama in Canada its left wing so do not pay them any heed.


heart broken
said

American news outlets are so dumfounded that peaceful Canada are adopting the radical republican failed agenda on crime it is making headlines.( the American envy crowd must be thrilled their idol is at last paying attention to their northern neighbor)Americans may be puzzled by many of us have broken hearts as we see the first policy that will begin to change forever the Canada we once knew.So sad the brain washed tools have sent us down this path.!


Will
said

The government's focus on the economy is simple, KAS. It's because without the economy the people will have NOTHING.


Paul ~ Kitchener
said

"Stay the Course" ~ YES ~ Mr. Prime Minister. Our economy should, and will be, the prime challenge of our 41st Parliament. The Economic plan of the Conservative Government over the past 5 years in minority has proven to the world we have our financial house in order. I think we will see a more civil, co-operative HoC in this new government, and the winner will be, "We the People", at the end of the day. Our Nation is the greatest in the World today, and can only get better. GOD bless Canada, & those in authority over us.


Diane
said

You can't do squat for anyone as a government without the funds to help them which makes the economy a priority. Disingenuous comments from the left are always quick to show up when it comes to expressing their intolerance for any views other than their own. So be it.


YaHoo
said

Yahoo!Let's getter done.Save Our Money!!!!!!!Along with the ones promised. Let's GUT the CBC billionaires CLUB.And the ARTS pickpockets let them be do thier slick infront of a paying and be critically acclaimed or driven to real work.


KAS
said

I can't help but think that if a government's only focus is money, it may mean that they've lost sight of the PEOPLE they are supposed to be serving. If their next largest focus is war, then there is something seriously wrong.


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