A snap election could be called in Canada this month if opposition parties reject the minority Conservative government's annual "throne speech".
A snap election could be called in Canada this month if opposition parties reject the minority Conservative government's annual policy address.
A series of mandatory confidence votes are due to be held and, if all three opposition parties vote against, an election will be triggered.
Tuesday night's speech offered MPs a vote on military involvement in Afghanistan and outlined tax cuts.
The speech, given on Tuesday night, offers a vote on military involvement in Afghanistan and outlines tax cuts.
Opposition Liberals will give their verdict on the speech on Wednesday, ahead of a series of confidence votes.
It also says Canada cannot meet Kyoto greenhouse gas reduction goals.
However, a Liberal official said there appeared to be nothing in the speech to prevent his party from supporting it.
But reports suggest the leading opposition Liberal Party is ill-prepared to fight an election and unlikely to vote against the speech.
The speech will be voted on three times, with the first vote expected on Thursday night, a second on Monday and the final one on 24 October.
It is due to make its position clear after a party meeting on Wednesday.
As they hold only 126 seats in the 308-seat parliament, Prime Minister Stephen Harper's Conservatives need the support of at least one of the three main opposition parties to see the vote through.
"The priority of Canadians is that this parliament works and there is not a third election in three-and-a-half years," Liberal leader Stephane Dion said.
The opposition NDP and Bloc Quebecois have already said they will vote against the government.
"We need to spend the evening calmly, soberly, reflecting," party deputy leader Michael Ignatieff remarked.
'Poisoned pill'
Week-long wait
The "throne speech" was given by Governor-General Michaelle Jean - who represents Queen Elizabeth II, the head of state - a tradition under the Commonwealth country's parliamentary system.
Governor-General Michaelle Jean, Canada's ceremonial head of state, delivered the throne speech, a tradition under the Commonwealth country's parliamentary system.
The government promised a parliamentary vote on any extension of the military mission in Afghanistan, currently set to end in February 2009.
Calls are growing for a clear end to Canada's Afghan mission
It also announced that Canada would not be able to meet its targets under the Kyoto Protocol on climate change, as its greenhouse gas emissions are 33% above its commitment.
It will be voted upon three times, with the first vote expected on Thursday night and the final one on 24 October.
The speech promises a parliamentary vote on any extension of the military mission in Afghanistan, currently set to end in February 2009
"Our government does not believe that Canada should abandon the people of Afghanistan after February 2009," the speech stressed.
The other key point in the speech is its declaration that Canada's greenhouse gas emissions are 33% above its commitment under the Kyoto Protocol on climate change, and the country will not be able to meet the targets.
Opposition parties have been calling for Kyoto compliance.
Elsewhere, the speech outlines multi-year tax cuts for individuals and businesses, and a 1% cut in the national sales tax.
All eyes on the Liberals
As they hold only 126 seats in the 308-seat parliament, Stephen Harper's Conservatives need the support of at least one of the three main opposition parties to see the vote through.
Given that the two smaller opposition parties - the separatist Bloc Quebecois and the left-wing New Democratic Party - seem certain to vote against, the outcome of the vote rests on the Liberals.
The government also outlined multi-year tax cuts for individuals and businesses, and a 1% cut in the national sales tax.
But pundits suggest the Liberal Party may be reluctant to trigger an election as soon as November or December.
Commenting on the speech, Liberal leader Stephane Dion said it contained "serious deficiencies".
Mr Dion, elected only recently, does not enjoy uniform party support and recent opinion polls have given the Conservatives a substantial lead over the Liberals.
However, he added: "The priority of Canadians is that this parliament works and there is not a third election in three-and-a-half years."
Mr Harper has said publicly that he would rather continue governing without seeking a new mandate until 2009 but some commentators have suggested he could be bluffing.
Deputy leader Michael Ignatieff said the speech contained no "poisoned pill" policies that they would have to vote against but added: "We need to spend the evening calmly, soberly, reflecting."
There are high stakes on both sides.
Mr Dion does not enjoy uniform party support, and recent opinion polls have given the Conservatives a substantial lead over the Liberals.
Observers say Mr Dion risks losing credibility if he supports the government.
Mr Harper has said publicly that he would rather continue governing without seeking a new mandate until 2009, but some commentators have suggested he could be bluffing.
Mr Harper takes a gamble if he turns to the always unpredictable ballot box.
There are high stakes on both sides. Observers say Mr Dion risks losing credibility if he supports the government, while Mr Harper takes a gamble if he turns to the always unpredictable ballot box.
Are you in Canada? Should the opposition parties force an election? What implications would that have for the government? Send us your comments using the form below.
Are you in Canada? Should the opposition parties force an election? What implications would that have for the government? Send us your comments using the form below.
Your comments:
The opposition parties are in an unenviable situation. Liberal support in Quebec, a former stronghold, has dropped with the Tories making comparable gains. The Liberals are still smarting after their loss of power, and Dion is proving to be a disappointment as a public voice and face for the party. The BQ is a strictly regional party, and will vote whichever way they see as supporting Quebec...the rest of Canada be damned. The NDP, while once a left leaning socialist party under the leadership of Ed Broadbent, has shifted further left under Layton in an effort to re-invent themselves, alienating their traditional base. Tory support is fairly good at the moment, however, the Canadian voter is notoriously fickle...and lazy...the percentage of Canadians who actually exercise their right to vote is depressingly low. All it would take is one scandal or bad snowstorm, and the whole picture could change in six months...and we'd likely still end up with another minority Government in the end...:)John T., Kingston, Ontario, Canada
I suspect that the Conservatives will engineer their own defeat in this Throne Speech. The Liberals are in disarray, with an ineffective leader and still trying to shake off a scandal from their previous mandate. The Party Quebecois (a separatist party) also has flagging support. The Conservatives are enjoying a significant lead in the polls, at least in part based on our economy. However, our 'hot' economy is being driven by high commodity prices, and a weak US economy. The Canadian dollar is trading above its US counter-part which is a source of pride in Canada. However, the high Canadian dollar is more a reflection of a weak US dollar than a marker of our economic health. This is evidenced by the Canadian dollar being relatively static in trading with other major currencies. But none-the-less, there is pride in our soaring dollar, and the Conservative government is in the position to capitalize on this.Michael Copland, North Vancouver, BC, Canada
The opposition shouldn't force an election at the moment. The Liberals, in a fragile position at the moment, would be further weakened. Their present leader, Stephane Dion, has enough problems with his own leadership so recently won, and might not survive a campaign. On the other hand, any election would probably return yet another minority government so the Tories are probably just as nervous about an election that may not bring about any worthwhile results.Andrew Taubman, Toronto, Canada
Just a lot of speculation and hot air over a, thus far, non-issue Mikhael Horvath, Edmonton, CanadaBBC News website reader
Canadians will not likely be going to the polls this fall. Harper knows a poison pill would anger Canadians over an unjustified election. The Liberals will not be ready for an election anytime soon which vetoes the opposition's unified front requirement for bringing down the house. Just a lot of speculation and hot air over a, thus far, non-issue.Mikhael Horvath, Edmonton, Canada
We have just had an provincial election in Ontario and I'm not in the mood for another federal election any time soon. I don't think Stephane Dion has to fall into Harper's trap and would not think any less of the Liberals supporting the speech from the throne and then supporting or opposing each individual piece of legislation as it comes up for the vote. B. Berazadi, Toronto, Canada
On the whole, no. While, I disagree with the Conservative agenda, Harper has been delivering the goods and has been doing the right things, even though they are sometimes unpopular, such as a Canadian presence in Afghanistan. Having a minority status is keeping Harper and co. on their toes. If the opposition parties force an election, the Conservatives will likely win a majority, and thus they will lose the threat which is currently keeping them in line. I find this period of minority government very refreshing compared to the years of long, stale majorities under Mulroney and Chretien.Daniel Gwyn, Montreal, Canada
No! I have yet to talk personally with any Canadians, who says we NEED an election. I have read and heard some politicians, who WANT an election. Hopefully, the politicians will listen to the people who elected them.Chris Chivers, Thorndale, ON Canada
I think that the opposition parties should force an election so that the Conservative party can form a majority and then will be able to pass its legislation. The opposition parties are useless and their ideas are dated. Its about time we have significant changes in Canada and the only way to do that is for the Tories to win a majority. Krks Warren, Calgary, Alberta
This is becoming quite ridiculous! As a Canadian citizen, I certainly do NOT want another federal election campaign. Whether Harper is loved or not, it's time consuming and extremely costly for taxpayers!Sophie, Ottawa, Canada
It would be better for the Liberals to force and lose and election right now, allowing them a full four year period to regroup and find the new leadership and policy niche that they so badly need - far smarter than limping along for another six or twelve months only to suffer the same electoral indignity at that time.Tony Barnes, Brockville, Canada
Regardless of what the polls suggest, the next government will also be a minority, whether it be Liberal or Conservative. Unless the parties learn to work together, which they have yet to demonstrate, it will not matter who forms the next government. Canada can expect years of uncertainty ahead of it.Charles Herscovitch, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
I don't feel that the opposition parties are prepared for an election and the Conservatives under Harper are. It would be highly enlightening to see how many of the political masterminds from the USA Republicans are on loan to Harper. Canada is undergoing an oil based economic boom right now and that plays into the hands of business oriented politicians at the expense of those who represent the social side. I do believe that in return for the political know-how, Harper supports pretty much the whole Bush agenda, even though it is not actually supported by the majority of the Canadian population.jaydo, canada
Unfortunately, if the speech does contain a "poison pill" and the Liberals choose not to support it, they will have a heavy burden to bear during an election. It is true that Canadians do not want to head to the polls again, so soon after the last election (and the one before that, too). I do hope that Canadians will see the heavy-handed tactic used by the Conservatives for what it is, another example of this prime minister's need to control everything around him. The minority party government has been working well here for some time, and it has served to curb some of the more autocratic tendencies this government has. I do believe that there are a good many Canadians who would like this to continue.Kim Cameron, Quebec City, Quebec, Canada
I have to hand it to Mr. Harper - he really knows how to play his political game. He has clearly cornered Mr. Dion into a corner where it does not matter what move he makes as it will not bode well for the Liberals. I do not want to see an election (again!), but I also do not want to support the Conservatives. Oh what am I to do!Andrew, Canada
I feel that the Liberals should vote against the Throne Speech and hopefully force an election. I say "Hopefully", because the Bloq and the NDP (Layton) cannot be trusted to do what they say. Layton will prostitute himself to get what he wants, notwithstanding the interests of Canadians that he so often says he supports. In my opinion, as a life long Liberal, a Conservative majority is the best thing that can happen to the Liberal Party. This will give the Party time to elect a new leader, (after their defeat, the Liberals will have a confident vote of the Leader, which Dion will surely lose)and recruit new people and get their act together. Also, it will give them the time to put the Martin, Turner Chretien feuds behind them and start anew. Sebastian Valente, Ottawa, Canada
