Canada opposition forms an alliance

TORONTO - Canada's Liberal Party said yesterday that its leader will be the next prime minister under a deal with other opposition parties if they succeed in an unprecedented attempt to topple the Conservative government in a no-confidence vote next week.

A loss by Prime Minister Stephen Harper's government in the Dec. 8. vote could set the stage for another parliamentary election just weeks after the last ballot, or more probably give the opposition a chance to form a government.

No Canadian federal government has ever been ousted in favor of an opposition coalition.

The Liberals, New Democrats, and Bloc Quebecois contend that Harper has not come up with a solid plan for dealing with the global economic crisis, and they have agreed to a coalition that would hold a majority of seats in Parliament.

"We are ready to form a new government that will address the best interests of the people," Liberal leader Stephane Dion said after the three opposition leaders signed a pact outlining the structure of a new government.

Dion said the coalition would announce a robust economic stimulus plan that would include money for housing, infrastructure, and the auto and forestry sectors.

Harper's party won the most seats in the Oct. 14 election and handed the once dominant Liberals one of their worst defeats after Dion campaigned on an unpopular environmental tax during slowing economic times.

But the Conservatives' hold on power is tenuous because the party again did not win a majority of Parliament's 308 seats and must rely on opposition support to pass budgets and legislation.

ASSOCIATED PRESS