Sour Grits

Posted at 05:06PM on Mar 06, 2008 by NSmith

Every year, the Government needs to ask Parliament for funds to run the government; this is known as supply. And on 21 days that the House of Commons sit, the opposition parties are given the ability to make motions, including confidence motions, that supersede all other government business.

And because the Tories never got around until now to holding their 7 mandated supply days before the fiscal year ends on March 31, we have a whole bunch this week and next. Today's motion, moved by Toronto-area Liberal MP Maria Minna, reads in part:

that, therefore, the House condemn the irresponsible and self-serving actions on November 28, 2005, by the New Democratic Party and the Bloc Québécois which led to the installation of a government that is hostile to the rights and needs of vulnerable Canadians.

Agreed: it's completely irresponsible for a party to take actions that cause a Conservative government to be in power. Also irresponsible: using a supply day to propose and vote in favour of a motion of non-confidence in the government.

Which is why, although 4 of the 5 motions the NDP have proposed as the motion for their supply day tomorrow express non-confidence in the government (we'll know which motion they choose after 6 p.m.), which would result in an election -- the only way Conservatives can lose power -- the Liberals have not lost confidence in the Conservatives, but the NDP and the Bloc.

UPDATE: Paul Wells breaks it down, ever moreso eloquently than I. Also, CP has been on this all day; that's what happens when you're bedridden....