Harper government survives vote; no Canadian election

OTTAWA — The Harper government survived on Friday its first confidence test of the fall session — staving off the threat of an election — as the House of Commons passed a budget motion that ratified a popular home-renovation tax credit.

But the Conservatives aren't out of the woods yet, and they will be relying solely on the support of the New Democratic Party in the coming weeks to remain in power.

The budget motion, known as a ways-and-means motion, clears the government to implement the $3-billion home-renovation tax credit, which enables Canadians to receive a refund of as much as $1,350 on renovations.

As expected, the Liberals opposed the motion, while the NDP and Bloc Quebecois supported it, allowing it to pass by a vote of 224-74.

The week began with all parties on high alert for the country's fourth federal election in less than six years. By Friday, the threat of a fall election had subsided, although the dynamic among the three opposition parties had been considerably altered.

The Liberals, who announced this month that they would no longer support the government after repeatedly voting with the Tories over the last few years, now stand as the only party to unequivocally oppose the government.

Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff said it felt good to "stand up for your conviction." At the same time, he teased NDP Leader Jack Layton and Bloc Quebecois Leader Gilles Duceppe for backing the Conservatives.

"Jack and Gilles have gone up the hill, and we know how that little fairy tale ends," Ignatieff told reporters.

The New Democrats find themselves backing the government after consistently voting against the Conservatives, and mocking the Liberals for being ineffectual.

"We would prefer to get action on the issues that people are concerned about, then to have an election," Layton said after the vote on the motion, which also enhances benefits under a tax credit for low-income workers, extends tax deferrals for farmers affected by drought, and relaxes certain tariffs.

The NDP has said it will support the government at least until the passage of legislation that would expand employment insurance benefits for long-tenured workers. Duceppe said Friday his party would oppose the bill, after the Conservatives said they would not entertain any amendments.

"It is made for Ontario. It is not made for Quebec," Duceppe said.

With the Bloc withdrawing their support, negotiations to fast-track the EI bill have fizzled, meaning it could be months before it becomes law.

The government's next test will come early next month. The Conservatives will table a "report card" on their economic-recovery package as early as Sept. 28. Two days later, the Liberals will table a non-confidence motion.

Duceppe said Friday his party will back the Liberal motion, leaving it to the New Democrats to prop up the Tories. Layton said Friday his party would wait to see the Liberal motion before deciding how to vote.

The Conservatives condemned the Liberals late last year for forming a coalition with the "socialist" NDP and "separatist" Bloc. Asked what it felt like to be supported by the "separatists and socialists," Finance Minister Jim Flaherty said the government was simply glad to get through the measures in the ways-and-means motion.

"I don't understand why the official Opposition voted against these measures. They're fundamental to economic growth in Canada and we still have significant challenges in this economy," said Flaherty.

The House of Commons does not sit next week, as Prime Minister Stephen Harper travels to Pittsburgh for a G20 summit.