MONTREAL Canadian Prime Minister Jean Chretien will according to AFP stress continuity when he begins his third term Monday with the formal opening of a new Parliament.

Chretien's throne speech, read in the parliamentary chambers by Governor General Adrienne Clarkson, representing Queen Elizabeth II, contains his government' program and defines the legislature's agenda.

Chretien won a third term in elections November 27 with 41 percent of the vote, leading his Liberal Party to its third consecutive absolute majority in the House of Commons.

The Liberals now control 172 out of 301 seats in the House of Commons, a gain of 11 seats compared to the results of the 1997 election.

His victory after calling elections 18 months early confounded critics within his own party who had advised him not to do so.

However, he decided not to make major changes in his government aside from replacing two ministers who were defeated for reelection.

"The people voted for the team. I was not to dismantle the team," Chretien said, although he is rumored to make more major changes in his cabinet come mid-year.

Chretien's program will echo campaign pledges to increase spending on scientific research and development while cutting taxes and reducing the nation's federal debt.

This, he said, would pave the way for Canada to "move into the 21st century on the right foot."

Chretien, a French-speaker from Quebec, is a long-time opponent of the movement in Quebec to establish a separate French-speaking state, independent of Canada.

Chretien's program was published in what he called his "Little Red Book," which was distributed during the campaign.

"If you want to know what we'll do in the next four years, read it," Chretien said. "If you have read my program, you will not be surprised by the throne speech."

Chretien also has promised to do more to aid indigenous Canadians.

The new Parliament also is expected to tackle unemployment insurance reform, vigorously demanded by seasonal workers in the Atlantic Provinces, a region regained by the Liberals in the November elections.

But Chretien also has to draw conclusions from low election turnout -- an indication of public dissatisfaction with the ruling party.

Only 63 percent of Canada's 20 million eligible voters went to the polls on Monday -- the lowest showing since 1896.