B.C. Lt.-Gov. Steven Point reads the throne speech in the legislature Monday. He said now is not the time to impose hundreds of millions of dollars in new costs on small businesses through a higher minimum wage. (CBC)

B.C.'s Liberal government will maintain spending on health care and education, but cut budgets in other ministries, according to the throne speech delivered in the legislature on Monday by Lt.-Gov. Steven Point.

The speech was a thick 39 pages, but slim on new policies, programs and services.

Instead, Premier Gordon Campbell's government promised jobs, stability and confidence during difficult economic times but once again refused to increase the province's minimum wage, currently standing at $8 an hour.

"Now is not the time to impose hundreds of millions of dollars in new costs on small businesses through an increased minimum wage that will mean more job losses, will depress job creation and will hurt those it purports to help," Point said.

The speech promised the government would protect spending on health care and education and open a new law school at Thompson Rivers University in Kamloops.

It also promised to go ahead with long-promised legislation to recognize aboriginal rights and title, an important step in reconciliation with First Nations.

But much of the speech included reannouncements of past programs, such as the government's commitment to expand clean energy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Smarter government: Campbell

The government said most ministries other than health, education and vital social services will see significant budget reductions, although Finance Minister Colin Hansen did say earlier Monday he hopes the public will see no impact.

"British Columbia's new economy must focus on smarter government, leveraged investment and constructive change founded on new partnerships," Premier Gordon Campbell said of the throne speech in a news release Monday.

"We are experiencing a seismic shift not just in British Columbia, but around the world. That shift calls for us to take steps to build our economy both in the short term, and for the future."

Little action offered: NDP

Provincial Opposition Leader Carole James said the pre-election throne speech is all about rhetoric with little action.

"British Columbians were expecting more than recycled slogans and promises. But instead of action, they got an admission of failure," James, the New Democratic Party leader, said in a news release.

"During good economic times, Gordon Campbell cut health and education. After eight years of hospital waiting lists, school closures, privatization and service cuts, he's shown that he doesn't know how to change course," she said.

The Canadian Federation of Students said the province's plan to increase spending on infrastructure won't help those in post-secondary institutions.

Shamus Reid, chairman of the federation's B.C. office, said the government needs to ensure that students can afford to stay in the higher-education system.