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Canada Conservative Gov't to Deliver Early Budget to Avert Crisis

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Canada's Conservative government on Sunday said it would deliver an early budget on January 27, as it struggles to stave off the political crisis sparked by a major economic statement.

The annual budget is usually not expected until late February or early March, but Finance Minister Jim Flaherty is under intense pressure after opposition parties threatened to topple the government over the update delivered last Thursday.

The oppositions denounced the statement over its lack of economic stimulus, and were especially angered at the spending cut measures, which would include eliminating public funding for political parties.

Biggest opposition group the Liberals has drafted a non-confidence motion, which is going to be voted December 8 in the House of Commons and may bring down the newly-formed government.

The Liberals and the New Democratic Party are also contemplating about forming a coalition government with the help of the Bloc Quebecois to replace Prime Minister Stephen Harper's government.

To avert the crisis, Harper had postponed the non-confidence vote by one week, which was originally set for this coming Monday.

The Conservatives only came to power for less than two months, after winning a strong minority in the October 14 election.

(Xinhua News Agency December 1, 2008)