Ottawa
The Liberal Party of Prime Minister Paul Martin this week began putting together Canada’s first minority government in 25 years. Voters stripped the Liberals of their parliamentary majority, leaving them just 135 of the 308 seats in the House of Commons. The Conservative Party gained ground, but its success was likely to push the government further to the left. To pass critical legislation, the Liberals will now need votes from the New Democratic Party, which holds 22 seats. New Democrats favor increased social spending and want to distance Canada from U.S. foreign policy. “It’s unfamiliar terrain,” said Martin.
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