Joan Bryden, THE CANADIAN PRESS

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OTTAWA - The Harper government is promising aid to the beleaguered auto sector as part of a five-point plan it hopes will protect Canada from the global economic crisis - and insulate the minority administration from political fallout.

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THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld

Governor General Michaelle Jean watches as the Gentleman Usher of the Black Rod goes to summon Members of Parliament for the reading of the Throne Speech.

The Conservatives used Wednesday's throne speech to warn that weathering the storm will likely mean plunging the country back into deficit, something that was unthinkable only a few weeks ago.

The plan promises sound budgeting to ensure the country avoids "ongoing, unsustainable structural deficits." But it appears resigned to the prospect of deficits in the short-term.

"In a historic global downturn, it would be misguided to commit to a balanced budget in the short term at any cost because that cost would ultimately be borne by Canadian families," Gov. Gen. Michaelle Jean read from the speech in the Senate chamber.

It's a long way from last year's throne speech, in which the cash-rich government - flush with a multibillion-dollar surplus - promised big tax cuts.

The latest blueprint from Prime Minister Stephen Harper's government also makes an unequivocal promise to secure jobs through training and to provide further unspecified support for the troubled auto and aerospace industries.

Until now, the government has hedged about helping the automotive industry.

"The Canadian manufacturing sector, particularly the automotive and aerospace industries, has been under increasing strain. Our government will provide further support for these industries," the speech promised.

The plan includes commitments to reform global finance, expand investment and trade and make government more efficient.

As usual, the throne speech offers a general direction but few specifics. Details will come in a fiscal update next week, the government said.

NDP Leader Jack Layton called the plan "very timid" and said his party will vote against the throne speech.

"We expected bold action. We have an unprecedented crisis here," he said.

He said New Democrats wanted to see a "real stimulus package" and got instead "more of what they've done before."

Bloc Quebecois Leader Gilles Duceppe said his party will also vote against the throne speech, which he criticized for offering nothing for Quebec.

However, the government is in no danger of falling.

Liberal Leader Stephane Dion said that, while the speech fell short of what's needed to revive the faltering economy, it would be irresponsible to plunge the country into another election over it.

The speech highlighted other priorities, including Senate reform, tougher crime legislation and tighter food-safety rules, and securing Canada's energy future by developing resources, particularly in the North.

The government reiterated its commitment to reduce greenhouse-gas emissions 20 per cent by 2020 - well short of Canada's Kyoto targets, which Harper has dismissed as unachievable.

And it announced it will set an "objective" that 90 per cent of Canada's electricity needs will be provided by non-emitting sources, such as hydro, nuclear or wind power, by 2020.

The speech overflowed with admonitions that Canadians need to pull together to weather the economic tsunami, recalling past challenges such as the First World War and the Great Depression.

"Canadians have faced times of uncertainty and renewal before and have always emerged a stronger and more united people."

There were conciliatory overtures to opposition parties and provincial governments, as the administration promised to "rededicate itself to working in partnership with others" to bolster the economy.

The speech acknowledged the Harper government won only a minority in last month's federal election and that it will have to be "responsible and accountable" to members of Parliament.

All MPs were invited to take an active role in proposing cuts in spending, with the assurance that departments will get "the funding they need to deliver essential programs and services and no more."

Nevertheless, the government clearly has its own ideas about where to save money, starting with public service wages. The speech said legislation will be introduced to ensure "sustainable compensation growth in the federal public service."

The speech also took pains to tone down previous promises that had raised hackles among some provinces.

Last year's throne speech plan to legislate limits on the federal spending power, for instance, was watered down to a simple promise to voluntarily constrain the spending power - essentially the status quo.

Wednesday's speech also promised to introduce a "Charter of Open Federalism," laying out the government's principles of federalism.

Gone was the threat, issued in the last throne speech just over a year ago, to use the federal trade and commerce power to force provinces to dismantle inter-provincial trade barriers. In its place this time, the government promised only to "work with the provinces" to eliminate such barriers.

The speech also promised to work with provinces to create a common national securities regulator, an idea that is adamantly opposed by Quebec. However, Finance Minister Jim Flaherty said later that Quebec will be allowed to opt out of the new body and continue operating its own securities regulator.

The Governor General was welcomed to Parliament with a traditional 21-gun artillery salute. She then inspected a ceremonial guard of honour before being led into the Senate by the Usher of the Black Rod.