Lib-NDP coalition in the works, maybe

Martin and Layton are going to meet to discuss the options. The NDP want the liberals to reduce the corporate tax cuts. The article (finally) points out that the NDP can't really ensure the Libs servival, except in extraordinary circumstances:

The NDP, however, doesn't have enough members to guarantee the government's survival. The numbers right now are this:

• Liberals: 131 plus the Speaker
• Conservatives: 99
• Bloc Quebecois: 54
• NDP: 19
• Independents: 3
• Vacant: 1

The Bloc and the Conservatives have a combined 153 votes, although two Tory MPs are reportedly too ill to travel to Ottawa. The two parties' working total might be 151. The Liberals and NDP would have a combined 150 votes.

Of the three Independents, B.C.'s Chuck Cadman has said he would not support a non-confidence motion, ex-Liberal and Alberta MP David Kilgour has said he would, and ex-Liberal and Ontario MP Carolyn Parrish has said nothing so far -- although she did vote for the budget.

That would put the potential total at 152-150 for a non-confidence motion. If Parrish and Cadman supported the government and Speaker Peter Milliken voted to break the tie, the Liberals could survive.

One rumour on Parliament Hill was that some Trudeau-era Liberals were urging Martin to appoint some Tory MPs to the Senate to further lessen the chance of a successful non-confidence vote.

That would be bold - as Coyne points out "It's so stupid it's brilliant!"

And there is this great quote from Harper:

"Mr. Martin wants to have an election without Gomery. Now he wants Gomery without an election. What he's always trying to avoid is having the two together."