The First CPC Throne Speech

The full text is right here.

There aren't really any surprises. CBC's synopsis quite correctly points out that it's largely a carefully worded reflection of campaign promises made.

But there are a few interesting wrinkles rattling around:

1) The "Government Accountability" act that Harper has babbled on about incessantly has been substantially weakened recently by the removal of all of the changes to the Access to Information legislation. (Hmmm - coming from Mr. Harper, who has tried to position himself as the sole voice of the government by muzzling both caucus and cabinet, is this really a surprise?)

2) The $1200/year "subsidy" for childcare turns out to be taxable income, meaning that most people will only get a relatively small fraction of it in reality. {and the base amount is small enough that it really does little to benefit the bottom of the income spectrum at all, since out-of home childcare costs so much in urban centers that low-income families are simply hamstrung.

3) A "get tough on crime" policy that looks good if you don't scratch at it too hard. (Read just below the surface) It reminds me of an old car I bought once - the body looked okay, but the engine was - as I later found out - going to cost more than the car was worth to repair.

With recent elliptical comments from Harper about amending the Canadian Constitution, I'm very skeptical that this speech from the throne is anything other than a really thin veneer over top of the longer term conservative agenda. (Which, of course, they aren't about to unveil until they achieve their much desired majority government)