Canada’s Opposition set to bring down government and trigger election

Canada’s three Opposition parties said they planned to topple the conservative government in a vote of no confidence in Parliament today and trigger the country’s fourth election in seven years.
By The Newsroom
Published 25th Mar 2011, 06:00 BST

Prime minister Stephen Harper needs the support of at least one Opposition party to stay in power, but all three rejected Mr Harper’s proposed budget after it was announced on Tuesday.

The trigger that is expected to bring Mr Harper down are allegations – supported on Monday by a Parliamentary committee – that Mr Harper has acted in contempt of Parliament by failing to disclose the full financial details of his tougher crime legislation, corporate tax cuts and plans to purchase stealth fighter jets.

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The Opposition is set to introduce a no-confidence vote on the contempt issue today, which could trigger an election that would take place either May 2 or May 9. Liberal leader Michael Ignatieff said: “This government has lost the confidence of Canadians.”

Earlier, Mr Harper urged the Opposition to support his budget and called on Opposition members to explain their refusal to support it.

Mr Harper said: “Our economy is not a political game. The global recovery is still fragile. Relative to other nations, Canada’s economic recovery has been strong, but its continuation is by no means assured.”

Related topics:CanadaOppositionParliament