LAST WEEK: Thursday, November 27, After all Harper’s talk about dangerous economic crisis we find ourselves in, Finance Minister Jim Flaherty gives fiscal update, suspending federal workers’ right to strike, slashing $27 million in subsidies for political parties and more.
• The Opposition, outraged by the elimination of government funding for political parties and lack of a stimulus package, announce they will vote down the government .
• Fearing they’ll lose power, Tories postpone the vote on their fiscal report from December 1 to December 8.
• In an attempt to stop the uproar, the Tories drop their plan to cut party subsidies.
• Flaherty announces a new budget date of January 27.
THIS WEEK: Monday, December 1, Stéphane Dion and Jack Layton announce they have formed a coalition, and agreed to a program and allocation of cabinet seats. Gilles Duceppe agrees to support the coalition for 18 months.
WHAT’S NEXT: The opposition parties plan to vote down the government and ask the Governor General for permission to form a coalition government.
• Options left to the Tories: Stephen Harper resigns Tories ask GG to dissolve this session of Parliament until January Tories force another general election.