O.K., the consensus is in. The first Opposition Day is mid-November. If there is a non-confidence vote, and it passes, that means an election on Boxing Day. You've heard that dozens of times, right? That is what everyone is reporting, right?
Except I wonder if it is true. If there a non-confidence vote that passes it means that the Governor-General would do to the Opposition Leader, in this case Mr. Harper, to see if the Opposition can get the confidence of the House. If they can't then there is an election, but if they can, then all consensus is off.
NDP Leader Layton is in a "Let's Make a Deal" mood, so try this on for size. The majority in the House comes to an agreement to bring down the Liberals, for the sole purpose of taking away the tools of electioneering. Upon a successful non-confidence vote they prorogue the House for the rest of the year.
The first order of business in the new year is to call an election for mid-to-late February. I am not saying that it is likely but it is a possible scenario...and no one seems to mention it.
Update: I heard NDP Leader Jack Layton on the Roy Green show (900 CHML) and he mentioned that there have been no discussions between the Opposition Leaders and bringing down the Government. He mentioned that it would be disingenuous to do that while discussing issues with the Liberals (Ed: I agree with that statement).
