When Stephen Harper's Conservatives formed a minority government after an election in January 2006 turned them into the largest party in the House of Commons (they have just 126 of its 308 seats), they did not expect to be in power long. Mr Harper set five minimalist policy priorities and rattled through them before the government might fall. But 20 months on, he is still prime minister. On October 16th his government set out a rather broader agenda in the throne speech at the start of the parliamentary year. But will it have the time to carry this out?rnMr Harper, a stiff, solemn but practical politician, says he would like to carry on for two more years before calling an election. He promised tax cuts; a new set of policies for northern Canada, aimed at buttressing a claim to sovereignty over Arctic waterways; fresh talks with the provinces on spending and regulation;rnnew crime bills; Senate reform; and an environmental bill. He also said that Canadian troops might stay longer in Afghanistan .
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