Canadian gov't could fall today

[White Cat]

OTTAWA - Paul Martin and his two biggest opponents were locked in a major political showdown today that threatened to topple the Liberal minority government and force another election.

The Conservatives said they would vote with the Bloc Quebecois on a sub-amendment to the throne speech this evening.

The Liberals have declared the motion a vote of confidence, which means that if it passes, the government falls.

If all MPs showed up for the vote, the Conservatives and the Bloc would need the support of Independent Chuck Cadman, a former Tory, to beat the Liberals, who are backed by the NDP.

Personally, I suspect that if the parties can't reach a compromise, the Conservatives and/or Bloc will arrange for a few of their members to miss the vote, to avoid toppling the government and the probable triggering of another election.

It's worth noting that they're voting on the "throne speech", which is almost entirely symbolic. So basically, everyone is making a big fuss over nothing.

[MKSheppard]

HAHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAH

and we only have to go through this every four years.

[Jalinth]

OTTAWA - Paul Martin and his two biggest opponents were locked in a major political showdown today that threatened to topple the Liberal minority government and force another election.

The Conservatives said they would vote with the Bloc Quebecois on a sub-amendment to the throne speech this evening.

The Liberals have declared the motion a vote of confidence, which means that if it passes, the government falls.

If all MPs showed up for the vote, the Conservatives and the Bloc would need the support of Independent Chuck Cadman, a former Tory, to beat the Liberals, who are backed by the NDP.

Personally, I suspect that if the parties can't reach a compromise, the Conservatives and/or Bloc will arrange for a few of their members to miss the vote, to avoid toppling the government and the probable triggering of another election.

It's worth noting that they're voting on the "throne speech", which is almost entirely symbolic. So basically, everyone is making a big fuss over nothing.

I'm not sure why amending the throne speech is a confidence measure in the first place?

It was my understanding that the only obligatory confidence measures were money bills and non-confidence motions (these are the up/down votes on first/second/third readings - not mere amendments). So I can't see why amending a throne speech would bring down the government? (The Libs could have made it a confidence measure, but this would be voluntary on their parts)

Anyone know?

[White Cat]

Okay, I just heard on the radio that they did manage to compromise, and all the parties have said that they will support the sub-amendment (link). So the government won't fall.... today. But they still have a couple weeks of haggling over more amendments before the finalized throne speech is voted on, so we could still end up with another election before the year is out. And to think that the 38th Parliament is only four days old!

I'm not sure why amending the throne speech is a confidence measure in the first place?

Because Paul Martin said so.

(The Libs could have made it a confidence measure, but this would be voluntary on their parts)

Exactly.

and we only have to go through this every four years.

Nitpick: Every two years.

[Jalinth]

I'm not sure why amending the throne speech is a confidence measure in the first place?

Because Paul Martin said so. [\quote]
That is what I was guessing - thanks for the confirmation

(The Libs could have made it a confidence measure, but this would be voluntary on their parts)

Exactly.

and we only have to go through this every four years.

Nitpick: Every two years.

Actually, 365 days a year, each year. For most positions, the campaigns seem never ending. Funding raising