the government has never fallen this week before. >> not this way, not on a confidence motion like this on a contempt of parliament, that even in the bigger picture, the government's haven't fallen by a vote on the house of commons. very often in the history of the country i think it's only the fifth or the sixth time this will have happened i was there in 79 when it happened with a lot of drama that not much the government went down because it really didn't know whether it was going to happen, didn't know whether the liberals were really going to do it and whether or not the credit party, the credit were going to support the conservatives with the liberals and the motion which was actually proposed by bob indy 500 ndp at that time, but i was a dramatic night. so this is drama attached to it on the issue of come to parliament and on the very fact this kind of process, this doesn't happen very often in our country, so it's a good history lesson for all of us.

>> it's a history lesson and of course making history. you are in there and we are a couple of minutes away. of course, because there's peter mentioned this is the first time this has happened. there is a bit of confusion what will happen it seems as if, and we are hearing from the speaker's office right now there will be to votes on folding, the conservatives brought forward this morning and then we think the vote on a non-confidence around content. can you get any clarification on that? >> i think the one we were expecting at two or three will be the notion that john put forward that just says the question now would be put to the house and vote on that. of course they could agree on that and not be a stand-up vote and then they will move to the confidence motion. i should tell you from our colleagues inside the chamber the galleries are stacked. the press gallery is stacked and staffers are there and the public gallery. i had a number of e-mails over

the course of this week. canadians who just wanted to be here for this important moment in our history. so there are a lot of people inside. that is unusual. mps are talking to each other crossing the ogle, shaking hands and some of them are taking photographs inside the house of commons which as you know is not allowed. some sort of a lot of anxiety about this moment, there are a lot of people that are going to watch at when it happens in just a couple of minutes. >> and peter, just before we go some very fiery speeches about this motion of no-confidence and content, you've been watching it. it's rare to see this kind of passion and then of course now there is handshaking because as you say we've got about 30 seconds, some of these folks might not make it back. some of them and deliberately, becoming the good because they are not running again that some are going to lose their seats the small side of the house of the possibility to exist so it is a passion a moment and it's one i'm not surprised some of them are trying to sneak pictures on their blackberry or

whatever smart phone they might have to grab a little slice of history for themselves. >> we've got ten seconds on our countdown clock so it looks like the train might actually be arriving at the station. when it does, we are going to go live, and there it is, there is the slate. now that means -- this is the slate right out of the house right off the floor and when it hits that as you know the speaker is supposed to come on and we will see these votes. as rose marie said, just imagine the scene inside where there are cameras, we don't control those cameras, it's packed with the motion like now. this is a historic moment you are about to see the first and a vote of no-confidence, an issue of content. the government has never been held in contempt, and when the speaker rives -- and this will be his last series of actions -- as a speaker what will happen is the vote will take place and afterwards the prime minister will make a speech and the podium is already set up right

outside the floor of the house right there and the prime minister will announce when he's coming to the governor general, so the next few moments ahead of our very crucial. the clock is that his hero, peter, but it doesn't necessarily mean zero as we've watched for the liftoff and you know this better than anybody else. there's a lot of the late going because everybody is positioning. you know that the party whip, those folks in charge of making sure all of them are in the right seats on the opposition party they've got the vote for this. >> there's no doubt about that that will be happening. it to flip back in december 79 because it was such a dramatic might as well, the tories had some of their members outside of the country. they didn't know what was going to come down to the list but the started to deflate the could defeat them on the budget but other parties agreed while they will have a couple of members not sitting in those votes nobody agreed to pare that might, so the stories or with

mcdonald actually, and a couple of others. but that night as soon as the vote -- this is the amazing thing about that night as soon as the vote was over the government defeated, everybody through papers in the air and everybody was excited and happy and shaking hands like they are doing now because there was a kind of believe on all sides they had a shot of winning this thing. the polls as recently before then that showed the liberals ahead by more points i think, but the conservatives were convinced that people would rebel against the idea of their government being defeated and was on the budget. they didn't. he came back with a convincing majority shortly after that. but the whole aura around the night, it was 10:30 at night, and it was -- it was a pretty exciting moment. >> we are in another exciting moment. the prime minister is in the house. so, the audience to view is looking at this zero slate it going on in there.

there's a lot of as you say conversations back and forth. and this has happened before and you can talk about this, peter talks about what happened in 79, also very famous, and you know, we don't know what the result will be, but the carper government is hoping to transform finally after five years into a majority government, but who knows? anything could happen. >> it's funny, we understand -- we all assume the vote is coming to be against the government, that mr. harper, the prime minister will stand up and adjourn the house after adjournment and then come out and talk about what his intentions are. and while the polls are trending in one way over the last little bit with the conservatives having the lead it is just the campaigns to matter and it's not clear at all how this might play out in the west for example where they are watching us now at the ndp the conservatives will be doing most of the battling when the election is called for a very important seat. obviously jack clayton heading to edmund strauss is one mp from

alberta. they want to hold onto the but opportunities to score some points out west. so the outcome here i think is in terms of today's vote but the election is not at all. >> peter, i was talking to billy and he's not running. he was -- he worked for robinson and the vancouver area for a long time, but he said something interesting. hokie said the last five years he's known more about parliamentary procedure and how it works. he said he's worked with in the minority context the last seven years the minority context and he said once you get into these minority parliament you really understand the procedure and the details of how the democracy unfolds and we are seeing and in front of us right now. >> it sound like a fascinating dinner conversation. >> tell me, really, that countdown clock that's been going on the last three hours it

was all to bring us to this point so we could look at the screen with a riding on it? thing about democracy. you've been to the shuttle liftoff. the rocket has time to leave the ground, and this is like going to the moon and of course everyone is trying to go to the moon right now, but the truth is we can't predict when this is going to start. but more importantly we can't predict how it's going to end, and of course as you say it's in a to get lost in the weeds here and nonetheless, the consequences if you remember when you first started covering this it's pretty exciting on the inside right now. >> there's no question about that, and i can see it on rosie's face she's over there. here we go. >> the countdown clock starts and pays off. [applause]

>> mr. o'connor, the whips are talking to each other and shaking hands as they begin -- [applause] what will be the procedure to words this long confidence vote. let's listen and will be interesting with the speaker says. >> the question is on the previous question on the motion related to the business of supply. the honorable chief government is rising on a point of order. >> i will try this again mr. speaker i believe you will find unanimous consent that the previous question moved earlier today be withdrawn. >> unanimous consent to proceed. >> the motion is withdrawn. the expression therefore is as follows. the house agree with the finding of the standing committee on procedure and house affairs that the government is in contempt of the parliament which is unprecedented in canadian parliament history and the

consequences of the house has confidence in the government. is it the pleasure of the house to adopt the motion? all of those in favor of the motion would say yay. opposed, please say nay. >> in my opinion, the yays have it. >> all of those in favor of the motion will please rise. [applause] [roll call] [roll call] [roll

call]

[roll call] [roll call] [roll call] [applause] [roll call]

[roll call] [roll call] [applause] [roll call] [roll call]

[roll call] [roll call] [applause] [roll call] [roll call] all those opposed to the motion will please rise. [applause]

[cheering] [roll call] [roll call] [applause] [roll call] [roll call] [applause]

[roll call] [roll call] [applause] [roll call] [roll call]

[roll call] [roll call] [roll call]

[roll call] in [roll call] [roll call] [roll call]

[roll call] and we await to hear the results and we all know what they will be. here's the speaker. he's going to add up the votes. [inaudible] [applause] history is made. 156 to 135. the prime minister is going to speak. >> thank you, mr. speaker. the house do now adjourn.

that is how the conservative government of stevan harbor falls if defeated and we will check the results can't see the governor general, see the liberals now they've 1156 to 145 and that is history, ladies and gentlemen, that is the first time in canadian history on the vote of non-confidence in government has been found in contempt by parliament, and this will kick off an election cycle. we are waiting to hear from the prime minister. he will speak soon but you can let me bring peter mansbridge to get some reaction to what we just saw, and peter, jubilation on the part of the opposition that there is a fight ahead. >> was very interesting to watch the picture because the liberals

did in 1979 when the government was defeated i think the conservatives through theirs in the air but the conservatives nothing, no paper went up in the air, they are tall because they are claiming this was a terrible thing that's happened to them and it was a matter what happens from here on end steven harper and his government will be known as the only government in the history of canada that's being floated down in parliament because the majority of the mps felt that government, barbara grumet is in contempt of parliament so no matter what happens here that's always going to be attached to the history of this government so that they will continue to unfold as we see the party in this setup for the prime minister just outside the house of commons the end he is now leading for the last time in this parliament and we will see how many come back and on

the side of the house they all end up sitting on. the press minister has got to address the nation as to what happens next. the government is being defeated, doesn't happen often and as you say it would never happen on this issue. as you say you all when the next steps because he moves quickly now and it will go to the governor general perhaps as early as tomorrow morning and that will kick off in the election. but use it as well, this would be like a tattoo on this government, difficult to remove the question who will see it. will this play out in the campaign how will this issue of being held in contempt for the first time in canadian history how will it play out? let's get right to the reactions on the floor as we watch this rose married people were streaming out after was a very emotional moment in a historic moment. given what is happening on the ground right now. >> i haven't been able to talk

to the npd are running out the door so fast. i guess heading home really to get their campaigns under way. lots of them just running fast. you saw just passed me the independent that actually voted with the government. i told you earlier the galleries were stacked, they were also stacked with important people from the prime minister's office and michael's office and the principal secretary of the prime minister and my jolt in the prime minister of the staff, everyone wanting to witness an amazing moment, and there is the sense in here i know peter said he could see it on my face but it's true it's a very exciting time whether he thought this should happen or not is an exciting place to be right now and everyone is now turning to the big long campaign ahead of them. first we have to hear from the prime minister and see how this will play of the next four 24 hours. we expect he will head to the governor sometime in the morning. i already know i will be in

edmonton with jack late and so this is going to have to happen quite quickly over the course of the next 24 hours. >> very busy now, that as you say, not before the prime minister has something to say. and the challenge now, and peter, you mentioned this as we move forward, is to see how the opposition can make this moment and what it represents being held in contempt, the opposition screening of this, the government that withholds information, how that matches against the government training that this in itself is something they've labeled content of the parliament and cenacle versus their version of the budget, so we are not just seeing history, we are seeing that the book of the entire campaign at least at the beginning of old. is benet we are seeing the first 48 hours on told and they will stick to these messages in the first 48 hours but they will have to move on to something else. i would be shocked if a week from now we are still talking

about this because because the parties have to pull out a policy and move their issues and to other areas. the liberals will keep working, you know, trying to play the ethics card, but it's also to address the economy. we know that most canadians, you know, they find this mildly amusing but they are not dwelling on it every day about what happens in the parliament, but they do worry of their jobs, they worry about their health care, they worry about a lot of other things we haven't heard talked about very often in the last few weeks at least in the headlines of what's been happening. >> what's interesting, peter, is to talk about the issue and let's go back to 79 because you talk about joe clark and because clearly the history doesn't repeat that there is an eco, there's a line that happens here, the personalities to play a role and that famous joe plays a role and who the leaders are and we talked anderson earlier the role of the leaders outside of the issues does play a role

and perhaps the opposition are using this vote today we just witnessed to see how they should the character of the leader and that goes vice versa. character matters. this gimmick it absolutely does, and they will try to make that message clearly over the next few days, they've got to expand well. you know, for michael what's interesting is he taken a lot hits in the media over the last couple of years and he's taken a lot of hits by the paid advertising conservatives have put out over that same couple of years. that can cut both ways if he doesn't quite look like the kind of person that had the conservatives have made him into on the campaign that could work in his favor. if expectations really are low and he doesn't fall that low it makes them look perhaps even better than he really is because he's above them. so we have to see how that plays

out. for steven harper there was a time when he was looked at in a certain way and it wasn't very flattering by many canadians that change is somewhat over the years. every once in awhile with seems it dips back down for him. where it is right now we have to watch some of these plywood caution everybody starting with us not to get too carried away. we've seen them members bouncing a band down. suppose to be another one today that shows the narrow gap than the one that we heard yesterday. these are going to change in the first weeks and ten days. they don't know if the government is defeated and they don't know there's going to be an election in five or six weeks. so, you know, when they start focusing on that we start to see some decisions made and also interest levels are key to all this. >> we are shaking up the water. there's a lot of sand and and we've got to let it settle. i would risk putting another countdown clock and i know

peter, you of the countdown clocks and we are looking at an empty podium and folks wonder why we have this dramatic shot of the empty podium? >> after the vote the prime minister will come to that podium and make an announcement. we don't know when swedes decided not to have a countdown clock without be very important because it is a term in the next couple of hours. greg you've been watching this closely. >> if i can build on something peter was saying, canadians really don't have a clear definition of michael they really don't have a clear definition of what the liberal party stands for. this is supposed to be a new liberal party poster advertising sponsorship scandal. he wasn't around for that. the liberals have deliberately been keeping their powder dry, they haven't been putting much in the window for fear that the opposition of the democrats or the conservatives would steal them and make them their own. so willing alternative to the conservative is going to be critical and it's going to be whatever they put in that window

it's got to be very catchy and really connect with canadians especially with my clich thaddeus who we have heard doesn't necessarily connect all that well if they can come up with policies and ago i really like that and just at least get the public's attention that's going to be the first big challenge in the campaign. >> the truth is governments have to be defeated. people don't vote and a new government how they vote the old ones and if you use that kind of backdrop to this, steven harper has gotten point whether he deserves it or not for having been a good steward of the economy. the budget will be at least for the time being the first several days to campaign the platform they run and the things they're scrambling up, money for families want to have kids in the program and the poor seniors. there was targeted money into the wrong things in the many respects in the budget so it was quite a campaign document. there's also the tone issue we have to pay attention to. these people and the last parliament didn't have a lot of

respect for each other on both sides. we heard jack pleaded referring to how was it possible to trust this minister of same time appealing to negotiate with him. we heard the content you point out the notion is about contempt and how workable those kind of attitudes are when the public finally is asked to listen to the pitch that the party leaders have to make. i think in the and a lot of people have been turned off by politics have been troubled by what they've seen and turned off by the overheated rhetoric and they begin to see how the campaign plays on that.

>> i'm not sure i saw derek lee either for that matter. that came up on twitter that he wasn't going to run again. it wasn't something the liberal party announced to us yet, and he's well now for his proceed churl mind and knows everything how parliament is run and the rules. back to the issue of contempt. obviously, we don't know if it will stick, but one way for the opposition parties to make is stick is talk about how the conservatives came into government and the platform they did run on that they were going to clean things up, make things transparent, do things differently, and they leave now in a very different position, having been found in contempt for not sharing information, for not being forthcoming, and also

with other issues swirling around them incoming this story of the senior aids to the prime minister, which, don't forget, gregg westton know this is not over. this may pop up during the campaign. if opposition parties can contrast what they sold to canadians so long ago and what they have now, you know, that issue of contempt and ethics may not go away if they can do a good job at selling them. >> you know, when you look back at campaigns and now and even you weren't around for 1925, i mean, i don't want to go back too far. >> good one, really. >> well, i don't, you know, i know i certainly wasn't, but peter, you know, there's always been issues, peter. even in the 1926 campaign there was dissolving parliament, but also the issue of pension. how, as campaigns unfold and we're talking about that

contempt issue, it is a bit complicated. do campaigns need a simple issue? you know, have they always unfolded? think of the free trade, the relatively emotional simpler debates, proceed churl issues tend to as you say dissolve looking back in history. >> yeah, they did. it's a hard one to sell of the you watch them trying to sell it this morning in the speech going for the high, high ground in democracy and the future of it in the country opposed to the procedural stuff, and there's a pitch there if it's going to fly as a big campaign issue. it's still going to be difficult. i think a key to a lot of this is going to be what happens when those doors behind the podium open because that'll be the first signal that the prime minister's on his way because the pmo seems to like the drop back of the house of commons in the background, but when he comes out and speaking at the

podium, the kind of language he uses, you know, he's let his tenants go pried hard in the last couple of days and the back and forth especially from john baird and the words coming at him from the other side, if he's going to elevate the language here and get away from the overly partisan stuff, you get the first signal of it in this speak, you know, how much times will he say coalition? you know, put a clock on that one and see what happens because there could be a signal here, okay, we're out of this place, most canadians think that it's full of this kind of partisanship every day and it's overly dramatic. now we go set a new level of proper debate through the campaign. well, is that what he's going to reach for here now? it'll be interesting if he does and what impact that has, not

only on his own people, but others. >> you talk about that, and clearly, and we talked about this armyier, the government does not want to take credit and responsibility for this election process. they keep calling it an unnecessary election. we can see that and the coalition lines and maybe the prime minister rises up, there's a moment where he leaves the partisanship and he rises up, so chris hall mentioned this earlier too, chris, tone is crucial. politicians may not be paying attention yet, but may tip towards now more attention because, let's face it, there's more ads chris, and we're r we're into the election cycle. >> again, we talked about it earlier. there is uncertainty around the world now. there's libya, canadians involved in that effort now, i see the doors are beginning to be opened here to the house of commons, so we'll see the prime minister soon.

he has an opportunity here to remind people about the importance of stability and what he represents and what his government represents here as he looks forward. you any -- you know, but he's not refrained from jabs in the past. i think he will be forceful in the way he speaks and will be aggressive in saying the opposition forces forced the election. i think he'll say it threatens the economic growth of the economy, and that indicates that he's willing to fight this hard. >> the doors are opening, and that means we're ever closer. >> one quick point before he comes out, he's not taking any questions. that means for sense the budget now, the prime minister has taken two questions from the media. that's what happened over the budget became clear the opposition were not going to support the budget. he's not taking questions now, so you're going to hear frustration from the media after he leaves the podium because,

you know, that can't go on. if you're in a campaign, eventually you have to answer questions from the media. that's just not going to work. i expect the yelling will ensue when he steps away from the podium without taking questions about how he feels, why this happened, and how he plans to proceed. this is him in and out, and we won't be able to try to pose any serious questions to hold him a little bit to account here. >> have interesting, peter, go ahead. >> i worked for trudo in 1980 and hardly had any conferences in that. there was no debate. they did one event a day. they felt they were in control and were not going to take chances. i know we'll hear rosy shout out a question. >> here comes steven harper for the comirs comments -- first comments after the historic votes.

let's listen in. >> translator: good afternoon. i will be brief. the global economy remains fragile. the economic recovery in canada is strong, but it must remain our priority. that is why the economy is and will continue to be my top priority as prime minister and that of all the members of parliament part of our conservative government. that is what canadians expect of us in parliament, from all of us in parliament. the budget at the table this week by the minister of finance, the next phase in canada's economic action plan is of critical importance to complete the economic recovery. it is intended to support to

growth to create jobs, and to help those who are in need with affordable measures, and all of this without increasing taxes of any kind. not only does this content reflect the participation of all canadians and of the other political parties, it also benefits from the firm and solid support of canadians. in fact, there is nothing, absolutely nothing in the budget that the opposition could not or would not support. unfortunately, his partners in the coalition, the ndp and the block made it clear they have already decided to have an election. the fourth election in canada in seven years, an election that

canadians clearly did not want, so today's vote which, of course, is a disappointment to me, will also disappoint most canadians in my view. as a consequence, i will have to be meeting with the governor general tomorrow to inform him of the situation and to take the only possible course. i can give you my assurance that our first priority will continue to be stability and security for all canadians in global circumstances that remain extremely difficult. >> good afternoon, i'll will brief. the global economy is still fragile. canada's recovery has been strong, but it needs to remain our focus. that's why the economy has been and will continue to be the number one priority for me as prime minister and for all the members of our conservative

government. this is what canadians expect of us in parliament, all of us. the budget table this week by the minister of finance, the next phase of canada's economic action plan is critically important to complete canada's economic recovery. it seeks to support growth, create jobs, and help those in need with affordable measures and to do all of these things without raising taxes. it's content not only reflected the wide input of canadians, including the input of other political parties. it has the strong support of canadians. indeed, there was nothing, absolutely nothing in the budget that the opposition could not and should not have supported. unfortunately, the coalition partners in the ndp made abundantly clear they already decided they wanted to force an election instead.

canada's fourth election in seven years, an election canadians told them clearly that they do not want. thus, the vote today which obviously disappoint the me, will, i suspect, disappoint most canadians. as a consequence, i have to meet with the general tomorrow to advise him of the situation and take the only course of action that remains. let me assure you our priority will remain to ensure stability and security for canadians in what remains extremely challenging global circumstances. after i have met where governor general johnson tomorrow, i will be in a position to take your questions. thank you. [inaudible conversations] >> prime minister stephen harper delivering his first words after this vote in matters of contempt. he did not take any questions,

and he said the vote disappointed me. he said it disappointed canadians as well, and now tomorrow he'll meet with the governor general, the only possible course of action, he said, he will do that tomorrow. he called the coalition partners and said that they should have supported his budget. they did not, and he said as well that this is an election canadians don't want, the fourth one in seven years. again, he didn't take any questions, but he did say he was disappointed with the vote, and he said that tomorrow after he meets with the governor general, he will be in a position to take questions. peter, let me get reactions from you, the language we speculated on, well, he did, indeed use that tone, he did say coalition, and an election no onements. very interesting speech. >> it was, but i think it's what

we expected. i mean, he tried to take the prime minister road through it as we were suggesting he probably would. he only used the coalition word once opposed to the 42 times that john baird gets it into each sentence. yeah, you think, it's clear, we're heading towards an election campaign. the other interesting thing i found was he was very specific. he said his focus, his single focus on the campaign, will be the economy. taking canada through the various dangers, waters, that exist on that front, it will be interesting to see if over five weeks he manages to maintain that strategy, that nothing bounces him off that strategy. that'll be key for the conservatives. >> well, absolutely. i want to bring in michael who will speak, but peter, you are right. he talked about the fragile

recovery and global situation. he used those words, and i i think we'll hear those words a lot. rosemary barton, you said he wasn't taken questions, but any reaction being right in brunet of him? >> well, i guess that was predictable. he'll take questions tomorrow, so this may not be how the whole campaign unfolds. there are questions to ask. he said there was nothing in the budget that the opposition parties couldn't support like clearly that's not true, and if he had wanted to avoid an election, the ndp would say to him, well, you could have ponied up another $400 million for the income supplement. that's not a whole lot of money. i think there are questions like that that need to be put to him about why he thinks there wasn't enough and why he thinks there was enough in there rather for

opposition parties and whether he really didn't want an election as well. he continues as all the conservatives continue to say this is an unnecessary election. i said this before. you know, i don't think that that line takes you very far down the road during this campaign because it's happening, and democracy is important, and at some point, saying that it's unnecessary, you know, may become an issue to canadians who want to vote. >> opportunities to frame the election campaign in that we had a budget plan that could go forward, and the importance of keeping that steady course. i don't disagree with rosie, but i understand why they are doing it. where it says as the michael-led coalition with ndp united again. they provided the national stable government canada wants. the tone of the press relief is indicative of how the campaign will go. you know, he was very measured, but in fairness, he was measured, in the past he showed

anger and frustration, but this time he was very keyed in on two points and most dealing with the important of the economy and the fragile economy. >> i recognize the strategy of the prim minister, but the gloat has been good. you just had the finance minister saying hoe robust the growth is being, and now the prime minister says you have to be careful because it's fragile. you can't have it both ways. >> well, i think like everything in the campaign coming up, don't believe everything you hear on the stump or you read on the lawn signs. this whole narrative of the economy is fragile, be careful, be cautious is obviously leading voters to one thing saying this is no time to change government, stick with what you've got, we're the tried and true, and to the prime minister's credit, we've been through a very, very

difficult time, a world economic crisis that we haven't seen in decades, and most canadians are getting their jobs back or some jobs back. they are rebounding economically, family incomes are returning to where they were, so that's a very powerful message for them to take into this campaign. it's an ease easy one for them to do, and there's a budget full of enough goodies to feed the photo opportunities going through, and here's something for everybody, and that's what we'll see over the coming weeks is stephen harper handing out something to everybody. >> there's lots of different ways looking at the house and the fridge jill economy and whether there should be a campaign during it. i recall the last election campaign in 2008, the economy looked more fragile then than right now. >> i have to interpret you,

michael stepping up to the microphone. let's listen in. glt we were -- >> translator: we were present for a historic moment in the democracy. prime minister condemned by the house of commons for contempt of parliament. he lost the confidence of the house of commons. we have just seen a news conference where i wasn't really a news conference because he didn't take any questions, nor did he refer to the fact that this is the first prime minister in the history of canada judged guilty of contempt of canadian democracy, contempt of parliament. he continues to show contempt for democracy by not even mentioning that fact in front of you a few moments ago, so we are here to present a liberal team as you see around me, a team that is proud, a team that is unified, a team that will present a clear alternative to

the harper government. that means a government that respects democracy, that wants canada to be a green country, a country that is proud on the international scene, a government that looks after families and their priorities as opposed to fighter jets and goodies for large corporations, and for the next 36 days, we will be appealing to all canadians, and more than 60% of canadians ought to not only restrain mr. harper, but to replace him, and we are the only possible alternative in terms of replacing a government that has shown contempt for ghok and that simply ignores the priorities of

canadians. we are seeking the support of conservatives who are disappointed with the waste by this government. we're calling on environmentalists and others who want a federal government that will act on the environment, and we are also appealing to all of those out there with a social conscious that want to help the poor, that want to help the most disadvantaged among us, who want to help families come out of the crisis, and we are appealing to all these people and saying please come into the big liberal tent. >> this is a historic moment in which the prime minister of canada is found guilty of contempt of parliament and lost the confidence of the house, and then we saw something even more incredible, a prime minister comes out in front of you and instead of taking questions or responding to the people or addressing the issue for his lack of respect of the democracy, confirmed his lack of

respect for democracy by going out and making a statement that made no mention of this historic moment in our history. this tells you all you need to know about this man, and we are here as a united liberal team to say that we want to form an alternative to the harper government that respects democracy, that republics canadian citizens, that respects our institutions, and that gets back to the priorities of canadian families. child care when you need it, help to get your kids to college and university, care when you're family gets old and needs help at home, a secure retirement, energy efficiency, green jobs, and timely, restoring canada's place in the world where we can all take pride that a citizen of canada is a citizen of the world. these are the alternatives that we will offer in the next 36 days of this campaign with me

and my team fanning out across the country to present a message of hope instead of a message of fear, a message of unity, instead of a message of division, a message of principle instead of the constant politics of personal destruction. this is where the choices lie, and it's extremely important that canadians understand that if you're a disillusioned conservative who wonders where the progressive went and why all this waste in the government, if, on the other hand, you're a passionate canadian who wants social justice in the country,ments environmental sustainable, maintain a place in the world, come to the big red tent, the center of the compassion in politics. there are only two alternatives here, more of this disrespect for democracy, more of this contempt for the canadian people, or a compassionate responsible liberal government. thank you very much.

>> translator: with the to the coalition, we understand you want to form a liberal government, but since you're still in the opposition, can you please tell us yes or no whether the coalition is an option? all this talk about a coalition is ridiculous. it's just a smoke screen. they say this because they are afraid of the real alternatives which is the liberal alternative. what i said, and i'm going to repeat it a thousand times if necessary is that i'm in politics to create a liberal government full of compassion, responsible, open to the rest of the world, a liberal government that respects democracy rather than showing contempt for it as the prime minister did a few minutes ago. >> you don't believe it's a legitimate option after an election if the conservatives win the most, you will not

pursue a coalition, is that what you're saying? >> i'm in politics, a liberal sincives 17. it's in my vains. i'm here to create a liberal al alternative to the conservative government. if you vote if the ndp, the greens, if you vote for the bloc, you get more of this, and cay canadians are saying enough. >> you're not clear at all, sir, actually. do you believe that a coalition is the legitimate parliamentary option you'll pursue? >> i answered that question in the past. >> with all respect, sir, you're asked it every day on the campaign did you don't answer it on the first day. please answer the question. >> on the abstract constitutional principle, ask the governor general. i am here, and i repeat, the thing that every canadian voter has to understand when they cast their ballot, and they are the boss here, is if you vote for the ndp, if you vet for the

bloc, and if you vote for the veins, you will get for of this, contempt for democracy, more neglect of the priorities of the families. the only alternative to a conservative government is a compassion liberal government. >> [inaudible] [speaking french] >> translator: how will you explain this to canadians prior marely concerned about the economy? you can't separate them, and one of the reasons why for a success in the world is because we're a democracy, and what of government makes the wrong choices? when you make choices that harm the economy in the long term, well, you have to choose democracy, you have to have an election. now, mr. harper's idea is that oh, well, an election will threaten the economy, and

democracy will reduce the stability of the country. that's absolutely ridiculous, and it shows con tempt for the citizens of this country. the citizens are being asked to decide on the future of their country. the economic future of this country, and we will present an alternative that is full of compassion and an alternative that will create jobs and security for people, and i'm very optimistic about this battle. on the democracy and on the economy both. >> i want to try it one more time. you say that your intention and your hope is to form a liberal government on election night. if that does not happen on election night, but rather voters determine that a minority government is what they want, will you accept that? >> let me be very clear. any democratic politician, any democratic politician, and i'm a

democrat, democratic politician right to the bottom of me feet respects the verdict of the people. i'm here to present to canadians right now the clear choice between a liberal government and a conservative government and say as clearly as i can to the canadian people, if you vote for anybody else, greens, ndp, or bloc, you will get more of mr. harper, so it's perfectly clear there is no confusion, they know that if they want to replace mr. harper, and i would point out, more than 60% of the public in stable, stable terms have said they don't support mr. harper. the time has come to replace mr. harper with this incredible liberal team. thank you very much. >> surely, this coalition among key is going to stay on your back every day of the campaign because people will assume if you don't rule it out, that's because you got something to hide, and secretly, you will entertain it, you just don't

want to admit it. isn't that the conclusion voters should draw? >> there's nothing to hide. i'm saying as clearly as i can to the canadian people looking them straight in the eye, if you want to replace the harper government, you got to vote lib liberal. it's not clearer than that. thank you very much. >> that's the leader of the liberal party bringing forward this motion of nonconfidence over the contempt issue and commented right after prime minister stephen harper commented saying that the prime minister didn't take questions and that proves he is in contempt, and he took a number of questioning say the the liberal party offers an alternative and mentioned green jobs and we'll dig into what he had to say. many took a series of question about what the future holds for the liberals, and he talked about a coalition, and, of course, the government is accusing them having a coalition with this man, the leader of the

bloc. let's listen to what he has to say. >> translator: this government has made lying a complete system. this government did not respect fundamental democratic rules in the house. we saw that with the contempt of parliament. we saw that with minister oda who falsified a document and only admitted it sometime later. we saw this as well. we saw this government not respecting election canada's rules. we set criminal investigations carried out because of the actions there. this government is presenting a retrograde, a narrow ideology that doesn't refleblght the values and -- reflect the values and interests. the harper government turned its back on quebec. ce see this in the refusal to provide compensation to the quebec government for the harm anyization of the sales tax,

some 19 years ago. it's $2.2 billion, and yet they gave billions of dollars last year to british columbia, on tear ya, but for quebec, there's nothing. $60 million for the forestry industry and billions given to the auto industry in ontario last year. there's a refusal to adapt insurance to the current circumstances. they leave men and women out in the cold, nothing there for them because the economy evolved. in the face of that, mr. harper does not deserve the confidence of quebecers. in that sense, quebecers must penalize mr. harper and vote in favor of democracy. democracy is a very important tool, and the only party that can bar mr. harper from another victory is the bloc, and i'm

inviting all the people of quebec, men and women, to ensure that quebec remains strong, that it can speak with a loud voice and defend the interests and values of the quebecers of ottawa. any questions? >> translator: says that in order to have an alternative to the harper government, nay have to -- people have to work and vote for the liberals. what do you think of that? >> translator: well, basically we were able to get a 6th con sective victory, and they recognize the work we do for them, so we shouldn't be braming the bloc if there's no majority. the federalist parties are not offering anything to the people of quebec. i take my own responsibilities,

but u certainly won't take the responsibilities of the other parties. >> [inaudible] >> translator: well, i want bloc to be elected and we'll see how canada responds to that, but in order to make sure quebec is well represented, it's values are reflected here, we need men and women who can speak on behalf of quebec. >> what did you say to each other? >> very lightly conversation saying that starting the campaign, good luck, good luck, and we'll see each other here again after that. >> if you hold the balance of power in the new parliament, would you align yourself with the liberals or the conservatives? >> i'll make a decision based on the best interest of quebec. i'll look what duty have to offer quebec. it happen in 2004 when

mr. martin called me and mr. harper not only called me, but met me and proposed a way of facing a loss of confidence by the government in the house. he wrote a letter. i signed that letter, so i'm always acting in the best interest of quebec. independently coming from the liberals and the ndp. >> sir, are you committing to remain as leader of the bloc until the next election? is that your intention after this one? >> there's a phase before that, winning in writing, winning in majority, and then after doing so, i'll see the future. >> [inaudible] >> no, no, no. >> translator: now, if there's a liberal conservative majority government, you'd be here for four years?

>> translator: yes, absolutely, i'll ask all my members of government to stay here for four years. >> translator: and what about the campaign? >> translator: well i'm not making career plans now. i'm optimistic about the campaign, and i think we'll win. >> translator: what about when there provenn issue elections? >> translator: well, there should be one this year, and the next one in quebec will be next year, so i certainly very much hope to be next to them at that time. >> translator: now, the conservatives believe that they have made such a great budget there's little goodies for everyone. >> translator: yes, we'll talk about those goodies, notably for the forest industry and the little goodies for the seniors as well because with the proposals they made on the gis, it didn't even bring seniors up to the level, up to poserty

level, so we're going to talk to the unemployed about the goodies there for them. we're going to be talking about all of that p. >> i'm curious if the election is not at