TORONTO — Canadian opposition parties brought down the Conservative government in a no-confidence vote Friday, triggering an election that polls show the Conservatives will win.
The opposition parties held Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s government in contempt of Parliament in a 156-145 vote for failing to disclose the full financial details of his tougher crime legislation, corporate tax cuts and plans to purchase stealth fighter jets.
ap polls expect Harper’s Conservative Party to win re-election but not a majority, meaning he probably will continue to govern with a minority in Parliament, dependent on opposition votes to stay in power.
The opposition parties combined hold the majority of the seats in Parliament with 160, while the Conservatives have 143.
But in the latest twist, there is a chance the left-of-center parties might join forces in a coalition if Harper wins another minority government on the expected election date of May 2.
Today, Harper will formally inform Gov. Gen. David Johnston, Queen Elizabeth’s representative as Canada’s head of state, that he has lost a confidence vote, and Canada’s fourth campaign in the past seven years will officially start.
“The vote today, which obviously disappoints, will, I suspect, disappoint most Canadians,” Harper said.
Harper might be gambling that an election now will confound conventional wisdom and hand him the majority in Parliament that has eluded him through his five-year tenure as prime minister.
He also is counting on the economy to help him win his re-election bid.
“By forcing an unnecessary election in this time of fragile economic recovery, Michael Ignatieff and his coalition partners are irresponsibly and recklessly putting at risk Canadians’ jobs, our economy and stable government,” Harper said.
