It's arguably the preview to the main event.
Governor General Michaelle Jean delivered the Speech from the Throne in Ottawa Monday to officially reconvene Parliament, a day before Finance Minister Jim Flaherty delivers a federal budget that could make or break the Stephen Harper government.
In the speech, the minority Conservatives outlined a six-point economic stimulus plan, the details of which were to be fully explained in Tuesday's budget. In broad terms, it called for public and private investment including billions for infrastructure.
"Today, we meet at a time of unprecedented economic uncertainty," Jean intoned. "The global credit crunch has dragged the world economy into a crisis whose pull we cannot escape. The nations of the world are grappling with challenges that Canada cannot avoid. The government's agenda and the priorities of Parliament must adapt in response to the deepening crisis."
The sobering message is a much different one than the Tories delivered a few months ago, when they suggested Canada would escape recession and in fact post a budget surplus. The reality is that the country will likely post a staggering deficit in the area of $64 billion over two years.
Also in the speech, a pledge to protect the stability of the financial system and ensure access to credit, as well as assistance for the poor, the unemployed, aboriginals, and industries crippled by recent economic developments, notably the auto sector and the forestry industry. The overall tone was much more conciliatory, calling for cooperation in Parliamant and a non-partisan approach.
"Our government approached the dialogue in a spirit of open and non-partisan cooperation. There is no monopoly on good ideas. Because we face this crisis together," Jean read. "There can be no pride of authorship. Only the satisfaction of identifying solutions that will work for all Canadians.
"Acting on the constructive thoughts and suggestions that have been received, our government will, tomorrow, present Canada's economic stimulus plan. The plan will protect our economy from immediate threat, while making investments to promote long-term growth."
The future of the minority Conservatives was anything but certain as politicians returned to the Hill after a nearly two-month hiatus that followed one of the most dramatic showdowns in recent political history.
Prime Minister Stephen Harper managed to successfully prorogue Parliament in early December as he faced the threat of a Liberal-NDP-Bloc coalition government, headed up by then-Grit boss Stephane Dion.
While opposition parties didn't come right out and slam the speech, they were wary of the government's friendlier tone compared to last fall's controversial economic statement which would've stripped party funding.
"One of the things that is extraordinary about the Speech from the Throne is the contrast between the language of the autumn (economic) statement which was partisan and divisive, and this language which is talking about reaching across the divide and finding non-partisan solutions, and some particularly charming words about protecting the vulnerable, saving jobs today, and creating jobs tomorrow. Where have I heard that language before?," Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff said, seeming to suggest that the Conservatives were borrowing a page from the Barack Obama playbook.
"Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, but the reality here, the stubborn reality is that there's a problem of trust. This government appears to have a split personality. One time it uses one language. The other time it uses another, and our difficulty as the Official Opposition is figuring out who to believe."
It will ultimately be Igantieff's decision on whether to bring down the government after hearing the budget on Tuesday. He's already made it clear he won't make the call until the following day.
"The country wants us to make a serious, adult, grown-up, calm, serene choice," he insists. "The right way to do it is, I think, the way I've outlined."
New Democrat Leader Jack Layton also refrained from criticizing anything in the speech, but noted he'd lost confidence in the Conservatives' ability to govern and will vote against the document regardless of what's in it.
"Well, there's probably going to be measures there that we would support. But they would much more likely be implemented by a government that believes in them," he said, referring to the possibility of a coalition government.
"I'm afraid that we would have to say that Mr. Harper has lost our confidence and he's now willing to propose things he doesn't believe in order to save his job. We think there's a much better way forward, and that's for parties to work together in the coalition."
He believes the Governor General would most likely allow the triumvirate if the government falls.
Among the details of the budget that have been leaked a day early - $7 billion for new infrastructure projects including $4 billion for infrastructure, $2 billion for repairs to colleges and universities, and another billion for "green projects."
"We will protect the jobs of today while readying our economy to create the jobs of tomorrow," vowed Federal Transport Minister John Baird.
The last time the deficit was in the $60 billion range was in 1995 and 1996 under then-PM Jean Chretien.
"My worry is that especially when you have this rapid conversion on the part of the Harper government, they've been terrible at spending infrastructure money and they may remain terrible at spending infrastructure money but they may feel compelled to shove it out the door because everyone is watching now," Liberal MP Gerard Kennedy noted.
Though Ignatieff's position atop the Liberal party appears secure for now, Harper's grip on the top Conservative job seems less steady. Should his minority government fall, some Tories hint his job might go with it.
Possible successors include Defence Minister Peter MacKay, Quebec Premier Jean Charest, former New Brunswick premier Bernard Lord, and Environment Minister Jim Prentice.
Meanwhile, Finance Minister Jim Flaherty, who delivers the budget at 4pm Tuesday, initiated a twist on a classic tradition of buying new shoes for the occasion. The federal money man picked up a pair of steel toed work boots, joking "I need these in my line of work."
We'll find out on Tuesday and Wednesday how correct he is, as the opposition mechanics kick the tires of the fiscal car and decides whether the Tory-mobile will be running out of gas.
Throne Speech Highlights
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Stimulating the economy through direct government action and encouraging private expenditure.
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'Immediate action' to build Canada through new investment in infrastructure.
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Acting to protect the stability of our financial system.
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Moving to ensure access to credit for businesses and consumers.
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Support for Canadian industries in difficulty - like forestry, manufacturing, automotive, tourism, agriculture - and to protect families and communities who depend on those jobs.
- Protecting the vulnerable, including the unemployed, lower-income Canadians, seniors, aboriginals, and others hit hard by the global economic recession
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