Canadian Opposition Moves to Sink Righty Gov't

Harper's Tories in rout weeks after re-election
By Jason Farago,  Newser Staff
Posted Dec 1, 2008 9:20 AM CST
Canadian Opposition Moves to Sink Righty Gov't
Stéphane Dion, leader of the Liberal Party of Canada, left, alongside Michael Ignatieff. Either could become prime minister in a matter of days if the opposition teams up to defeat Stephen Harper.   (AP Photo)

Canada’s main opposition parties have reached an unprecedented deal to topple the Conservative government, only weeks after it won re-election, reports the Globe and Mail. PM Stephen Harper infuriated rivals by attempting to end public support for political parties under the veil of an economic stimulus bill. The Liberals, New Democrats, and Bloc Québécois would have 163 seats to the Conservatives’ 143.

The parties were hammering out an agreement on cabinet posts, with the Liberals to get 18 and the NDP six, and the Bloc Québécois supporting the coalition in confidence votes. It’s unclear who might become prime minister, with Stéphane Dion having resigned as Liberal leader after its October defeat. If the parties can agree, Canada will have its first coalition government since World War I. (More Stephen Harper stories.)

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