Canada's minority Liberal government, facing defeat over a cash-for-favors scandal, has approached a small left-leaning opposition party about creating an informal coalition, officials said on Saturday. An Ipsos-Reid opinion poll on Friday showed the Liberals had 30 percent public support compared to 35 percent for the opposition Conservatives. The figures suggest that if an election were held now, the Conservatives would take power and end 12 years of Liberal rule.| Somehow, I can't see that happening yet... |
Growing anger about revelations from a public inquiry into the scandal has effectively paralyzed Parliament and the two main opposition parties look set to try to bring Martin down next month and force a June 27 election. Even if Martin did strike a deal with the New Democrats -- who recorded 18 percent public support in the Ipsos-Reid poll -- it might not be enough to stave off defeat if Parliament were to debate a non-confidence motion. The Liberals and NDP hold 151 seats in the 308-seat Parliament while the Conservatives and the separatist Bloc Quebecois have 153. There are three independent legislators -- at least one of whom is dropping strong hints he would vote against the Liberals -- and one vacancy. Layton said this week he would consider working more closely with the Liberals if the government canceled corporate tax cuts unveiled in this year's budget and put more money into social programs.
Martin's fortunes have been in free fall since an inquiry into the scandal heard two weeks ago that Liberals in French-speaking Quebec had demanded big kickbacks from advertising firms in return for government contracts. Martin went on television on Thursday to promise he would call an election as soon as the inquiry finished its work this December. The Conservatives responded by saying it would be impossible for the government to stay in power until then.
