Canada heads for election as government falls
By ROB GILLIES

The Associated Press

TORONTO — A corruption scandal forced a vote of no-confidence Monday that toppled Prime Minister Paul Martin's minority government, triggering an unusual election campaign during the Christmas holidays.

Canada's three opposition parties, which control a majority in Parliament, voted against Martin's government, claiming his Liberal Party no longer has the moral authority to lead the nation.

The loss means an election for all 308 seats in the lower House of Commons, likely on Jan. 23. Martin and his Cabinet would continue to govern until then.

Opposition leaders last week called for the no-confidence vote after Martin rejected their demands to dissolve Parliament in January and hold early elections in February. Monday's vote follows a flurry of spending announcements in Ottawa last week, with the government trying to advance its agenda ahead of its demise.

Martin is expected to dissolve the House of Commons today and set a firm date for the elections. Under Canadian law, elections must be held on a Monday — unless it falls on a holiday — and the campaign period is sharply restricted.

"The vote in the House of Commons did not go our way," Martin said. "But the decision of the future of our government will be made by Canadians. They will judge us."

Conservative Party leader Stephen Harper joined with the New Democratic and Bloc Quebecois parties to bring down the government — prompting the first Christmas and winter campaign in mostly Christian Canada in 26 years. Recent polls have given the Liberals a slight lead over the Conservatives, with the New Democrats in third place.

The same surveys suggest the Bloc Quebecois would sweep the French-speaking province of Quebec, making a majority government unlikely.

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/htm..._canada29.html

personally, I think Liberals have been at power for too long! It is time to change the course. Canada has become too much liberal!

Can someone please explain this whole thing in simple terms.

It was just 3 months ago I learned "get a new government" didn't mean a bloody revolution so I'm kinda' stupid of parliamentary stuff.

So my question to Canada is: What'd you do!?!

it is like England...

lol

can u figure now?!

... you have an evil king who rules you and hates freedom so he taxes your tea and makes war with you?

He can be taught!!!

They "form a government" which basicly is the same as when a new president is elected and starts appointing all his major campaign contributors to positions of leadership... wait did I just say that outloud, oops sorry... and then set out their agenda and start sending legislation to the parliament/congress filled with their cronies... damn did it again, my bad... does this help?

Originally Posted by Whispering Death

... you have an evil king who rules you and hates freedom so he taxes your tea and makes war with you?

LoL

I think these 2 links will help you a lot

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elections_in_Canada

http://www.sfu.ca/~aheard/elections/laws.html