NDP expected to back Harper

[Clintonista2]

http://www.thestar.ca/news/canada/article/695415

OTTAWA–Stephen Harper will put his minority government to the test on Friday in a key budget vote that includes the popular home renovation tax credit.

However, the NDP is likely to support the Conservative minority government in the confidence vote and avert another federal election – at least for now – party sources told The Canadian Press.

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The NDP sent a signal it will vote to support the Conservative government on a confidence measure for the first time since Harper formed a government almost four years ago.

However, the party was surprised late Monday to find that the motion also contains a possible poison pill: a reference to tax measures that will go into effect should Parliament approve separate legislation on a free trade agreement with Colombia.

The NDP is adamantly opposed to the trade pact due to Colombia's record of human rights abuses.

Supporting the ways and means motion would not prevent New Democrats from voting later against the trade pact. But the party must decide whether it wants to be seen to be facilitating the trade deal in any way.

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Saw this coming from a mile away. When it really counts, 'ol Jack will always drop his principles for political oppertunity.

[Metric System]

1. My head's spinning! I don't even know what to think right now. The polls do kind of scare me though.

How in the hell can the Cons be up to 39% in the polls?!? Have Canadians not payed attention at all? The reason Parliament is such a war zone is because Harper can't play nice with others. And Canadians want to reward him for bad behaviour? Can someone explain to me how the Cons can be gaining support? I guess Canadians REALLY don't want an election and are blaming the Liberals for the possibility. Ugh.

And yes, I completely agree with you. I'm not surprised either by Layton's latest move. He made such a big stink in the last election about the Liberals voting with the Conservatives but apparently different rules for different people.

Like I said, I really don't know what to make of the political situation right now. What I do know is that if the Liberals had continued voting with the Cons, the media would be labeling Ignatieff another Dion. The pundits would claim that the Liberals are afraid to go to the polls and that they look weak. However, now that Liberals are no longer supporting the government the pundits are saying that Canadians don't want an election and voters will punish the Liberals. UGH!