Canada could be heading into a general election; opposition parties reject budget

Canadian PM Stephen Harper ... facing defeat over his budget

Opposition parties in Canada have rejected the government's new budget, a signal that the country could be heading in an early election. Political pundits are speculating the date to be early May.

Debate on the budget is scheduled to begin Wednesday, but the government could fall earlier on a number of other confidence motions.

The Liberals may move a non-confidence motion related to a committee report tabled Monday that recommended the governing Conservatives be found in contempt of Parliament.

Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff said that decision would be made during a Liberal caucus meeting Wednesday morning. Another possible election trigger could come on Friday when a vote must take place on some outstanding money bills, the CBC reported.

All money bills are automatically confidence votes which means the opposition parties will have a chance to take down Harper's minority government.

Prime Minister Stephen Harper may be using these opportunities and the budget to bait the opposition to bring down his government. His Consveratives have been well ahead in opinion polls and he is hoping that a spring election could change his fortunes and give him the majority government he has been craving.

Harper first took office in January 2006 after the Liberals failed to win popular support in the general election and won re-election in 2008. His minority has survived with support from one of the three opposition parties in Parliament.

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