FACTBOX-Key provisions of Canada coalition agreement
Source: Reuters
Dec 1 (Reuters) - Following are key provisions of an agreement signed on Monday by Canada's three opposition parties to form a coalition which they hope would displace the minority Conservative government. HOW THE COALITION WOULD WORK - The Liberals and New Democratic Party would adhere to the agreement through mid-2011 and the separatist Bloc Quebecois would adhere to it through mid-2010 unless renewed - During this time, none of the parties will support any non-confidence motions and they will support the government position on financial matters and on the overall policy direction laid out in the Speech from the Throne - Only the Liberals and the New Democrats would have ministers (18 and six, respectively), but the Bloc says it would help build the budget speech and the throne speech - Liberal leader Stephane Dion would be prime minister until a new leader for his party is chosen in May FISCAL PRINCIPLES - Stimulus would be provided over the next two years, with budget deficits likely - A return to budget surpluses within four years ECONOMIC STIMULUS - Accelerate infrastructure funding and make substantial new investments - Spend on housing construction and retrofitting - Invest in key sectors, including manufacturing, forestry and automotive, with any aid contingent on a plan to return these industries to profitability OTHER FINANCIAL MEASURES - Cut the minimum required withdrawal from retirement funds by 50 percent, for 2008 - Reform bankruptcy and insolvency laws to better protect pensions - Make employment insurance easier to access and insure that all revenues goes to benefits and training - Support the Canadian Wheat Board CLIMATE CHANGE - Work with North American partners to pursue a North American cap-and-trade market for carbon emissions, with absolute emission targets, using 1990 as the base year. WHEN AND HOW CAN IT TAKE EFFECT - The opposition parties will have a chance on Dec. 8 to vote non-confidence in the Conservative government, unless the government tries to suspend Parliament in the meantime. - Governor-General Michaelle Jean, representative of head of state Queen Elizabeth, would have to decide whether to ask the coalition to form a new government; she could also back a possible attempt to suspend Parliament or a possible government request to call a new election PARTY STANDINGS FOLLOWING OCT. 14 ELECTION - Conservatives 143 seats in House of Commons - Liberals 77 - Bloc Quebecois 49 - New Democratic Party 37 - Independents 2 (Reporting by Randall Palmer; Editing by Jeffrey Jones)
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