Here we go

[Said1]

Let the political game playing begin. BTW, national poll shows Liberals at 36% and Conservatives at 30%.

Opposition turns up heat on two front

By GLORIA GALLOWAY

Friday, November 4, 2005 Page A4

OTTAWA -- The political game that could ultimately spell the end of the federal Liberal minority continues today as New Democrats assess the government's response to their demands that curbs be placed on private health care.

NDP Leader Jack Layton had insisted Health Minister Ujjal Dosanjh show some indication yesterday he was willing to deny doctors the right to provide services such as magnetic resonance imaging in both public and private systems. (Some provinces permit the practice but doctors say it is not widespread.)

Mr. Dosanjh's proposals for meeting that demand were expected to arrive at Mr. Layton's door last night. If the NDP Leader finds they are not to his satisfaction, he has made it clear the Liberals cannot expect his continued support through a series of no-confidence motions that will begin the week after next.

"I am not very optimistic," Mr. Layton said. "But we're going to give them the opportunity to present something and we'll study it."

The proposals from Mr. Dosanjh were not expected to win an immediate commitment from the New Democrats to continue propping up the government until an election in March or April. But they could form the basis for further negotiation.

If those discussions do not result in an agreement, the government could fall as early as Nov. 14 on an opposition no-confidence motion and an election could be held over Christmas.

Conservative Leader Stephen Harper and Bloc Québécois Leader Gilles Duceppe have said they do not want to take the country to the polls over the holiday season. But Mr. Harper said this week that one should "never say never" in politics.

It would also be politically difficult for either the Conservatives or the Bloc to vote with the government on a no-confidence motion so soon after the Gomery report into the sponsorship program highlighted widespread mismanagement and corruption within the Quebec wing of the Liberal Party.

If an election were to be called in mid-November, senior opposition officials suggested the parties might agree not to actively campaign during Christmas week.

But an election over the holidays is "not the only choice that's available. These are myths that are being put forward by people for their various political reasons," Mr. Layton said.

"We have to determine whether or not this House is going to be productive. If it's not going to be productive, then it shouldn't continue. That will give us a basis for making a decision."

If his party obtains actions on health-care that it deems acceptable, it will then press the Liberals on a number of other matters, including a package of ethics and democratic reforms.

Mr. Dosanjh refused to give details of his proposals yesterday, saying they are complex issues that will form the foundation of continuing discussions.

They could also require additional negotiations with the provinces that would ultimately have to agree to implement the changes being contemplated.

"These are sensitive discussions and these things can change back and forth in terms of discussion," the Health Minister said.

They are "very sophisticated issues and very important for Canadians, and we don't take these issues lightly at all."

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