Editing Jack Layton (section)

===Liberal minority government===
[[File:Layton1.JPG|right|thumb|Layton speaks at an NDP rally in Courtenay, British Columbia, in 2006]]
With the ruling Liberal Party being reduced to a minority government, revelations of the [[sponsorship scandal]] damaging its popularity to the point where both the Conservative Party and the Bloc Québécois were pressing their advantage for a [[snap election]], the prime minister approached the NDP for its support. Layton demanded the cancellation of proposed [[corporate tax]] cuts and called for an increase in social spending. The ensuing compromise in the NDP's favour was protested by the other opposition parties who used it as a pretext to force a [[Motion of no confidence|non-confidence vote]]. On May 19, two such votes were defeated and Layton's amendments went on to be passed on its final reading vote on June 23. As a result of this political coup and his apparent civil behaviour in a spitefully raucous parliament, many political analysts noted that Layton gained increased credibility as an effective leader of an important party, becoming the major second choice leader in many political polls – for example, polling second in Quebec after [[Gilles Duceppe]], despite the low polls for his party as a whole in the province.{{citation needed|date=August 2011}}

In mid-November 2005, when Liberal support dropped after the [[Gomery Commission]] delivered its first report, Layton offered the prime minister several conditions in return for the NDP's continued support, most notably on the issue of [[privatization]] of [[health care in Canada]], where Layton wanted strict provisions for controlling public spending on private health care delivery, saying that without "significant action" on the issue, "Mr. Martin can't count on our support." Martin for his part offered no comment on a meeting held to discuss the issue, only saying that it was a "good meeting", while Layton publicly expressed his disappointment at the outcome.<ref>{{cite news |title=PM in denial over privatization of health care: Layton |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/pm-in-denial-over-privatization-of-health-care-layton-1.549664 |access-date=October 11, 2024 |work=[[CBC News]] |date=October 25, 2005}}</ref> Layton announced he would introduce a motion requesting a February election. However, the Martin government refused to allow the election date to be decided by the opposition. A motion of non-confidence followed, moved by Stephen Harper and seconded by Layton, triggering the 2006 federal election. Layton was working with the Liberal government, but determined he would have a better chance of electoral success by voting against the government and having an election.{{citation needed|date=October 2024}}

====Coalition attempt with the Bloc Québécois and the Conservatives====
On March 26, 2011, in response to Harper's allegations that a coalition is not a legitimate or principled way to form government, Duceppe stated that Harper had once tried to form a [[coalition government]] with the Bloc Québécois and NDP.<ref>{{cite news|last=Payton|first=Laura|title=Harper wanted 2004 coalition: Duceppe|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/harper-wanted-2004-coalition-duceppe-1.1118390|access-date=March 26, 2011|newspaper=[[CBC News]]|date=March 26, 2011}}</ref> In 2004 Stephen Harper privately met with [[Bloc Québécois]] leader [[Gilles Duceppe]] and Layton in a Montreal hotel. The meeting that took place between the three party leaders happened two months before the federal election.<ref name=gazetteCoalition/> On September 9, 2004, the three signed a letter addressed to then-[[Governor General of Canada|Governor General]] [[Adrienne Clarkson]], stating,
{{Blockquote|We respectfully point out that the opposition parties, who together constitute a majority in the House, have been in close consultation. We believe that, should a request for dissolution arise, this should give you cause, as constitutional practice has determined, to consult the opposition leaders and consider all of your options before exercising your constitutional authority.<ref name=gazetteCoalition>{{cite news|title=Harper, Layton, Duceppe sought 'co-opposition' in 2004 letter to GG |url=http://www.canada.com/news/Harper+Layton+Duceppe+sought+opposition+2004+letter/4511865/story.html#ixzz1Htw6yDVP |newspaper=[[The Gazette (Montreal)|Montreal Gazette]] |date=March 27, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110401200203/http://www.canada.com/news/Harper%2BLayton%2BDuceppe%2Bsought%2Bopposition%2B2004%2Bletter/4511865/story.html |archive-date=April 1, 2011 }}</ref>}}

On the same day the letter was written, the three party leaders held a joint press conference at which they expressed their intent to co-operate on changing parliamentary rules, and to request that the governor general consult with them before deciding to call an election.<ref name=Harpercoalition>{{cite news|last=Chung|first=Andrew|title=Bloc leader accuses Harper of lying about coalition|url=https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/bloc-leader-accuses-harper-of-lying-about-coalition/article_cb3fc9b6-a13a-5add-a731-784edca4d4ad.html|access-date=March 27, 2011|newspaper=[[Toronto Star]]|date=March 26, 2011}}</ref> At the news conference, Harper said "It is the Parliament that's supposed to run the country, not just the largest party and the single leader of that party. That's a criticism I've had and that we've had and that most Canadians have had for a long, long time now so this is an opportunity to start to change that." However, at the time, Harper and the two other opposition leaders denied trying to form a [[coalition government]].<ref name=gazetteCoalition/> Harper said, "This is not a coalition, but this is a co-operative effort."<ref name=Harpercoalition/>

One month later, on October 4, [[Mike Duffy]], now a Conservative senator (appointed by Harper), said "It is possible that you could change prime minister without having an election", and that some Conservatives wanted Harper as prime minister. The next day Layton walked out on talks with Harper and Duceppe, accusing them of trying to replace [[Paul Martin]] with Harper as prime minister. Both Bloc and Conservative officials denied Layton's accusations.<ref name=gazetteCoalition/>