Election or not, Yukon MP Larry Bagnell says he's ready for the work he has ahead of him after the Speech from the Throne was delivered Tuesday.

'I'll be excited whatever's decided,' the Liberal MP said this morning from Ottawa. He had just stepped out of a caucus meeting where members were debating what action the party would take on the speech.

While the federal NDP and Bloc Quebecois have already stated they'll vote against the speech, as of late this morning, the Liberals continued to debate how they would vote.

Because it's a confidence matter, if the throne speech is voted down by the Liberals and the minority Conservative government is defeated, it would spark an election.

Liberal Leader Stephane Dion was set to make a speech in the House of Commons early this afternoon, indicating the direction the party would take, Bagnell noted.

The Yukon MP has heard from constituents that they don't want an election right now. There were federal elections in June 2004 and January 2006.

He noted that inside the caucus meeting, there have been a number of strong opinions on what direction the party should take, while he's tried to point out both positive and negative aspects of the 16-page speech that opened Parliament yesterday.

'It was both good and bad,' he said.

He argued the Tory government brought forward nothing on health care, rural health, poverty, literacy, women's issues, child care or the situation in Darfur, Sudan. He noted there was nothing for first nations to replace the so-called Kelowna, B.C. agreement that was negotiated under the former Liberal government.

'There really was nothing offered to them,' he said.

He did offer some praise for the government's vow to work to provide better housing for first nations and Inuit in the North.

Bagnell also said he was pleased to hear about plans for an Arctic research facility and mapping of the Arctic Ocean.

'I'm very happy they listened to that,' he said, noting the Liberal opposition had proposed the initiatives several times in the House of Commons.

He was also glad to hear the government will bring back the Northern Strategy to bolster economic development and sovereignty.

Gov. Gen. Micha'lle Jean, who presented the speech on behalf of Prime Minister Stephen Harper read a section on the attention the North needs.

'New opportunities are emerging across the Arctic, and new challenges from other shores,' Jean read.

'Our government will bring forward an integrated northern strategy focused on strengthening Canada's sovereignty, protecting our environmental heritage, promoting economic and social development and improving and devolving governance, so that northerners have greater control over their destinies.'

Meanwhile, the Arctic research station the government plans to build would 'be on the cutting edge of Arctic issues' like environmental science and resource development.

'This station will be built by Canadians, in Canada's Arctic, and it will be there to serve the world,' Jean read.

'As part of asserting sovereignty in the Arctic, our government will complete comprehensive mapping of Canada's Arctic seabed. Never before has this part of Canada's ocean floor been fully mapped.'

While the news is good for the North, Bagnell pointed out it's still unknown what part of the region the research station will be built in.

Darrell Pasloski, the federal Conservative candidate in the territory for the next election, said he was especially pleased to see the focus on northern sovereignty and climate change, especially given the prominence the North received during the first part of the speech.

'I really believe the North belongs to Canada,' he said this morning. He pointed out how personally upsetting it has been to see the claims other countries have placed on the region.

'Defending our sovereignty in the North also demands that we maintain the capacity to act,' the Governor General read Tuesday.

'New Arctic patrol ships and expanded aerial surveillance will guard Canada's Far North and the Northwest Passage. As well, the size and capabilities of the Arctic Rangers will be expanded to better patrol our vast Arctic territory.'

A major issue in the territory, Pasloski pointed out, is the emerging effects of climate change.

On a recent hunting trip, Pasloski noticed significant erosion along a riverbank that was once stable due to permafrost. He also pointed out a bridge on the Alaska Highway is shifting due to permafrost melting.

'This is a really serious issue,' he said, pointing out the Conservative government set out specific targets to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in its speech.

A national strategy, would reduce emissions by 60 to 70 per cent by 2050, with a 20 per cent reduction by 2020. National air pollution regulations would also be in place, it was noted.

Pasloski also praised the government for initiatives outlined in the speech on tax cuts, crime and better housing for first nations.

'We're seeing some of that already,' he said of first nation housing initiatives where federal money went to projects currently underway in Dawson City and Burwash Landing.

While the Conservative government will focus on its mandate to govern, Pasloski noted if the Liberals vote down the throne speech, he would be ready for the election.

The federal NDP has yet to nominate an election candidate for the Yukon.

However, territorial NDP Leader Todd Hardy said this morning he doesn't expect the Liberal party will force an election given the internal issues it's facing along with its current situation in the polls.

Rather than thinking of the good of the country, he said, the Liberals seem to be thinking more about themselves.

While there was a lot of focus on the North and it's nice that prime minister is 'aware' of the North, Hardy said, it largely seems to be a militarization of the region that Harper is focused on.

'They're ignoring the social issues,' he said, adding it seems words like 'climate change' and the 'environment' are more catchwords than issues for the government.

'I found this speech, in many ways, was vague,' Hardy said.