Another Canadian election possible after 3 parties say they'll vote against government plan
TORONTO
Canada's opposition parties said Thursday they will vote against the Conservative government's economic plan, a move that could trigger an election despite a national vote just last month.
The opposition Liberals, New Democrats and Bloc Quebecois said they cannot support the government's updated fiscal plan because it offers no stimulus package to deal with the economic crisis.
They also objected to Prime Minister Stephen Harper's plans to scrap public subsidies for political parties. The opposition relies on the subsidy far more than Harper's Conservatives, who raise twice as much in donations as the three opposition parties combined.
Finance Minister Jim Flaherty said that rejection of his updated fiscal plan could trigger another election if the opposition parties vote against it. A vote on a money matter is an automatic confidence vote in a minority Parliament.
Harper's Conservative party won the Oct. 14 election to remain in power, but stayed a minority government that must rely on opposition support to pass budgets and legislation.
Should the fiscal update be defeated, New Democrat party lawmaker Tom Mulcair said there are other steps that could be taken constitutionally to avoid an election, including the formation of a coalition government.
Flaherty said the economy will be in recession in the last quarter of this year and the first quarter of next year. But he declined to immediately announce a stimulus package.
