Canadian Adscam Scandel: New Low in Political History if Liberals Ignore No Confidence Vote

Although considered merely procedural by the ruling Liberal Party, Canada’s political crisis could come to a head late Tuesday afternoon when the Conservatives bring forward a motion calling for the Liberals to step down.

The vote is scheduled for 5:45 p.m. EDT.

The Globe and Mail has the story here:

The failure of a the Liberal minority government to recognize a successful vote calling for its resignation would mark a new low in Canadian political history, Conservative Deputy Leader Peter MacKay said Tuesday.

The Conservatives, with the backing of the Bloc Québécois, insist the motion is one of no confidence, and early indications suggest they may have the numbers to get the vote through.

The Liberals argue, however, that the motion is procedural rather than one of confidence, so they will not recognize it. That position continued to trigger outrage among opposition members Tuesday.

“Well, I think that that will be, perhaps, one of the lowest points in Canadian history,” Mr. MacKay told CBC Newsworld.

“If we see a government so desperate, so self-motivated, and clinging to power and ignore the democratic will of the house of commons, I think we would have hit a new low point in our Canadian history.”

Although the numbers are close, they appear to favour the Conservatives narrowly. Two Tory MPs with cancer are being flown in for the vote, while B.C. independent Chuck Cadman — expected to support the Liberals — is likely to be absent following chemotherapy treatment on Monday.

So, would this spur a parliamentary crisis which the Canadian courts would have to sort out? Or will the Liberals simply ignore this motion.

Stay tuned.