Prime Minister Paul Martin had little to say about the economy or business in the speech from the throne Monday.

The speech, which outlines the government's broad agenda, was read by Gov. Gen. Adrienne Clarkson. It is widely seen as the preamble to an election call this spring.

Most of the speech addressed social, urban and environmental topics, but it did touch on several economic and business issues.

The government is committed to fiscal prudence, for example. "This government will not spend itself into deficit," the speech said.

While the United States is Canada's main trading partner, "more attention will be focused on such newly emerging economic giants as China, India, and Brazil."

And future growth will depend on knowledge, research and information produced by "world-class research universities, smart regulation and innovative financing."

Government can't achieve that, but it has "an essential enabling role," the speech said.

Small, innovative firms with breakthrough ideas in environment, health, biotechnology and nanotechnology have trouble accessing capital and commercializing ideas, the speech noted.

"The government will help to overcome these obstacles" through venture financing at its Business Development Bank.

The National Research Council will also be enlisted "to help small firms bridge the commercialization gap."