The Conservative government of Prime Minister Stephen Harper will work on Senate reform and review some major legislation in addition to its five priorities, the throne speech says.

There will also be special measures for Quebec and an apology -- possibly even compensation -- for the head tax imposed on Chinese immigrants early in the 20th Century.

"In support of building a stronger Canada, the government's agenda will be clear and focused," read Gov. Gen. Michaelle Jean in the House of Commons' Senate chambers on Tuesday.

"It will clean up government, provide real support to ordinary working families and strengthen our federation and our role in the world."

The speech sets the agenda for the first session of the 39th Parliament -- the first of the new Conservative government.

Saying Canadians voted for change, the speech noted that the citizens have elected a minority Parliament.

Canadians also have seen their trust in government eroded by scandal, Jean said.

For that reason, the government will make government accountability its first priority, she said.

Three major pieces of legislation will receive comprehensive reviews:

• The Canadian Environmental Protection Act
• The Anti-Terrorism Act, and
• The Bank Act

Progress in fighting pollution and greenhouse gas emissions was promised, as were better programs to stabilize the agricultural sector.

"This government believes Canadians pay too much in tax," Jean said, repeating the government's election promise to cut the Goods and Services Tax by one point immediately, but eventually reducing it to five percent.

However, the long-term goal is to lower the overall tax burden, she said.

The speech reaffirmed the government's plan to institute a national child care allowance, to reduce wait times for certain key medical procedures and to crack down on crime.

"It will propose changes to the Criminal Code to provide tougher sentences for violent and repeat offenders, particularly those involved in weapons-related crime," Jean said.

More police will be hired and border security will be improved, she said.

The federation

"To remain strong and effective, our federation must keep pace with the evolving needs of Canadian society," Jean said.

There will also be work done by parliamentarians and citizens to examine "the challenges facing Canada's electoral system and democratic institutions," she said.

In doing so, the role of the Senate will be examined "to ensure (it) better reflects both the democratic values of Canadians and the needs of Canada's regions," she said.

The new government will work to reduce jurisdictional squabbles with the provinces, she said. "To this end, the government will respond to concerns about the fiscal imbalance, and will work to ensure fiscal arrangements in which all governments have access to the resources they need to meet their responsibilities.

The "unique place of a strong vibrant Quebec in a strong, united Canada" would be recognized inside a system of "open federalism," she said.

The government is committed to allowing Quebec representation at UNESCO, she said.

The world

"Canada's voice in the world must be supported by action, both at home and abroad," Jean said.

She described the United States as "our best friend and biggest trading partner" in promising to improve multilateral and bilateral relationships.

In promising a stronger military, Jean said, "The dedicated Canadians in Afghanistan deserve all our support as they risk their lives to defend our national interests, combat global terrorism and help the Afghan people make a new start as a free, democratic and peaceful country."

Six soldiers attended the ceremony, which is a change from previous throne speeches.

Reaction

"It was most of all, safe," said Craig Oliver, CTV's chief political correspondent, on Newsnet. "There's nothing really that the opposition can get a handle on and hammer the government with in that throne speech."

CTV's business editor Linda Sims said there were no real surprises in the 11-page speech for Bay Street, although some questions have emerged.

"Like what's going to happen to the income tax cut that Mr. Martin brought in," Sims said.

Now, the community is looking ahead to the budget, Sims said.

In the meantime, business stakeholders are keen to ensure that "there is a cap on spending, there is a revenue windfall in Ottawa, it doesn't all go into Alberta's coffers."

Finance Minister Jim Flaherty told CTV Newsnet: "Overall, Canadians will pay less tax. And that's what they voted for: They voted for change, they voted for a new leaf, they voted for prudence and budgeting and controlling expenditure growth -- and we're going to do all of that."

Flaherty wouldn't comment further on his fiscal plan, which will be outlined in the government's upcoming budget, and he was non-committal when asked if the Tories will follow through on the previous Liberal government's promise to reduce income taxes.

He did say, however, that there are commitments in the Tory platform to control the "staggering" rate of growth in expenditures under the Liberals.

The new session is only expected to sit for about 35 to 40 days before summer recess.

Justice Minister Vic Toews admitted that wasn't enough time to pass all the government's crime-related legislation.

"Some of the bills we will bring forward as quickly as possible, especially the ones on house arrest or conditional sentences and also on the mandatory minimum prison sentences for certain crimes -- especially gun crimes," he told CTV.

Voting on the throne speech is vote of confidence is the government, but most observers think it's highly unlikely the opposition parties would vote to defeat the government at this early stage.

NDP Leader Jack Layton told CTV Newsnet that Prime Minister Stephen Harper acknowledged some NDP concerns in the speech.

Bloc Quebecois Leader Gilles Duceppe said he generally supported the speech, and would work with the Conservatives on an issue-by-issue basis.

Interim Liberal Leader Bill Graham told Newsnet his party will oppose the government if "they don't recognize they are the richest government ever to come into power."

There's no reason why the new government can't fund previous Liberal initiatives like the child care agreements with the provinces and the Kelowna Accord with natives, he said.

Harper told Newsnet that his party conducted consultations with the Bloc and NDP. "They said here are things that we stand for, that we think are consistent with your platform …."

Those included electoral reform, child care and the environment.

"We've tried to work with them to incorporate some of their ideas where we can find common ground. That's what we have to do to make a minority Parliament work," he said.

"I think two of the three opposition parties are interested in making Parliament work, in showing people who voted for them that they can do something for them," he said.

The Liberals have taken a tougher line, but Harper said if any party isn't ready to fight an election right now, it's the Liberals.

While some eyebrows were raised over the "best friend" line in the throne speech about the United States, Harper said: "We're going to have disagreements with them from time to time, but we have to make the relationship work when so many Canadian jobs depend on it."