Tories set to unveil throne speech that could trigger election

The Conservative minority government will lay out its new priorities on Tuesday as it unveils its speech from the throne, a speech that some say could trigger an election.

The speech will come shortly after 6:30 p.m. ET, about three hours later than previous throne speeches have been delivered.

"This is an important speech for the prime minister and I think he wants the maximum coverage," said CBC's Tobias Fisher.

"And if his government should fall, from either the throne speech or legislation shortly after that, he wants this speech to serve as the foundation for his election platform."

The motion to accept the speech from the throne is considered a matter of confidence and its failure to pass could trigger an election.

The Bloc Québécois and NDPhave laid out demands that the speech must meet in order to get their support. But Liberal Leader Stéphane Dion has said he's taking a wait and see approach and will vote according to the total speech as opposed to specific provisions.

Harper is expected to include a couple "poison pills" within the speech — policies that opposition MPs are so set against, that they would either have to vote against it, or possibly embarrass themselves politically with their support.

Fisher said the throne speech may include a fairly forceful declaration that the Kyoto Accord is dead.Theenvironment has been a top priority for Dion, who has consistently called on the government to reaffirm Canada's commitment to the accord's targets of cutting greenhouse gases.

But some political observers believe that the Liberal front bench— Dion and his shadow cabinet— will vote against the throne speech and that the back benchers will either abstain or not show up. This would allow the throne speech to pass.

The speech is also expected to include plans to cut taxes, which may include a second percentage off the GST, some income tax cuts, and possibly some tax break or credits for the manufacturing and forestry industries.

The speech will also include other priorities on issues including law and order, federal spending power in provincial jurisdictions,andArctic sovereignty.