Bloc

Is this current coalition a coalition between the Liberal and the NDP or the Liberals the NDP and the Bloc Québecois?

This is a coalition between the Liberals and the NDP. Although these two parties could form a coalition between just the two of them, if they did so, they would not have a majority of seats. In other words, they would be a minority coalition government (and one with a smaller minority of seats than the current Conservative minority). As a result, in order to greater ensure that they will be able to maintain the confidence of the House, they have asked for the support of the Bloc Québecois.

This means that The Bloc has merely formally agreed to support the coalition (in other words, not vote against it) for 18 months. However, as the Bloc will not have any seats in the new Cabinet, it is not officially a part of the coalition.

Previous Canadian governments, including the Conservatives, have attempted similar, albeit less formal arrangements, with the Bloc in the past. Remember, given the emphasis on MPs, there is no other way for a minority government to govern other than with the support of MPs outside of its own party.

Adapted in part from: www.gauntlet.ca.

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See also: More Coalition Government and Prorogation of Parliament FAQs

Updated December 2008

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