Of course...

I have to say, I was truly confused at the Conservative rush to topple the government. Voting against the budget is fine - of course, Harper would have had to explain why Maritimers should vote for Conservatives after scuttling the Atlantic accord.

Now, this certainly isn't genius-level analysis, but I realized what the hysteria was for - there's a ticking clock. The by-election in Labrador next Tuesday is almost certain to return a Liberal to office, which will give the Liberals and NDP 153 to the Conservatives and BQ 152. Assume Parrish votes with the Government on matters of confidence, and it doesn't matter if Cadman and Kilgour vote against the government. Paul Martin suddenly has a majority in Parliament, at least for the budget. Once the new Liberal takes their seat after May 24th, the Tories will have essentially lost their chance to bring down this government.

Even though it will be a Liberal win, it will probably make the NDP even more valuable to Paul Martin. Obviously, I'm in favour of this. Next week is off, and even the number of opposition days coming at the end of this Parliament will come after the Labrador by-election. Jack says NDP support ends after the passage of C-38, so watch as Martin drags out the budget as long as possible - certainly, long enough to get past the Tory and BQ opposition days. Harper has already said he'll propose a confidence vote on the 31st.

But there's an easy and quick way for Harper to bring down this government - support the budget, or at least get out of the way. Talk to the NDP, and see what Jack wants from the opposition in order to bring down the government. It might be that Jack won't help Harper and co. However, the certain thing is that the Liberals have Jack's support until the budget passes. So pass the budget quickly, then see what the NDP feel. If the slime continues to ooze out of Gomery, Jack might just be willing to have a summer election.