The Conservatives will present an amendment to Prime Minister Paul Martin's throne speech, saying party members likely won't approve the government's agenda without first making changes to it.

Delivered by Governor General Adrienne Clarkson, Tuesday's throne speech opened the new session of Parliament and laid out the Liberal agenda.

Stephen Harper and Jack Layton listen to the throne speech.
Stephen Harper and Jack Layton listen to the throne speech.

Conservative Leader Stephen Harper said he'd meet with his caucus on Tuesday night and prepare the amendment to deliver to Martin's minority government.

While he wouldn't reveal what amendments his party – the official Opposition – would ask for, Harper did say that tax reduction and democratic reform were both missing from the throne speech.

"There really wasn't much there," he said of the speech. "This really is the vague Liberal program repeated."

Tory deputy leader Peter MacKay, who called the throne speech "vacuous and devoid of detail," said his party would like the Liberals to deliver an action plan on how they'll implement their future plans.

"It's difficult for the Conservative party to support this document how we see it," said MacKay.

The Conservatives plan to amend the speech with priorities they believe are important to Canadians, said MacKay.

Bloc Québécois leader Gilles Duceppe, whose party holds 54 seats in Parliament, didn't offer much support for the speech, saying he'd like to see it amended.

"If no change is made to it, the Bloc will vote against the throne speech" said Duceppe.

The opposition parties will vote on the speech later this month. Opposition parties traditionally vote against the speech, but losing the vote could bring down the Liberal minority government.

If they gained the support of the one independent MP, the Tories and BQ would have enough seats to vote down a Liberal-NDP bloc.

NDP Leader Jack Layton said he doesn't want another election and has no desire to bring down the government. He offered lukewarm support for Martin, saying the speech moved "in a good direction."

Layton said he was disheartened that the prime minister didn't provide specifics on child care and the gas tax, he was pleased about Martin's offer to look at electoral reform.

"We're not sure what it means, but it's welcome to hear those words," said Layton.

With its 19 seats, the NDP is seen as the most likely parliamentary partner for the Liberals.

However, Layton said he was disturbed that debt reduction was the most detailed aspect of the speech. The Liberals vowed to reduce debt-to-GDP radio to 25 per cent within 10 years.

"I think if you do the math, [it's] the most expensive item in the whole project, which gives you some sense of the priorities," said Layton.

"The words on the gas tax were even softer than we've heard in years, and so naturally, that gives us cause for concern."