TORONTO - Opposition parties introduced a no-confidence motion Thursday that is expected to topple Prime Minister Paul Martin's government and force a parliamentary election campaign during the Christmas holidays.
Canada's three opposition party leaders said their members would vote in Parliament on Monday to bring down Martin's minority government, claiming his Liberal Party no longer has the moral authority to lead the nation because of a corruption scandal.
Opposition leaders forced the no-confidence vote after Martin rejected their demands to dissolve Parliament in January and hold early elections in February. The widely expected move followed a frantic week in Ottawa, with the government making a cascade of policy announcements before its looming demise.
Conservative Party leader Stephen Harper said his party would join with the New Democratic and Bloc Quebecois parties to bring down the government - forcing the first Christmas campaigning in 26 years. The elections will likely be in January.
"This House has lost confidence in the government," Harper said.
Recent polls have given the Liberals a slight lead over the Conservatives, with the New Democrats in third place.
