It's great to be a Conservative these days

Harper government survives another confidence vote
The Canadian Press
April 9, 2008 at 8:07 PM EDT

OTTAWA — The federal Liberals were taunted and ridiculed by opponents as they avoided triggering an election over immigration reforms they have spent weeks denouncing in the most scathing terms.

Their opponents in government and on the other opposition benches poured scorn on the party as it allowed the Tory government to survive yet another a confidence vote in the House of Commons.

[...]

With the party's electoral organization in apparent disarray and a number of his own MPs urging him against a trip to the polls, Mr. Dion has allowed the government to survive on numerous occasions since last fall.

The Liberals have habitually abstained from confidence votes since last fall, leaving rows of empty benches which would normally be full of MPs voting against the government.

They did it when the Tories declared the Kyoto accord unattainable in September's throne speech. That speech also signalled an extension of the Afghanistan mission, which they had previously opposed.

They also abstained on the recent federal budget, which spelled the end of years' worth of large federal surpluses. The Liberals had hoped to use some of those surpluses on social programs.

Sensing their fear of an election, the Tories crammed the controversial immigration measures into the budget bill and left their foes with two unappetizing options: head into a campaign, or back down on the reforms.

Liberals argue they should only topple the government when they believe they can win an election.

Let's see... "Liberals argue they should only topple the government when they believe they can win an election".

Sorry guys, but I don't think there's enough time for you to recover before the next election... it's already scheduled for October 2009.