Canada's Conservative Party Leader Stephen Harper tabled a non-confidence motion in the House of Commons on Thursday, triggering the collapse of the Liberal minority government and a winter election.

The motion has the support of the other two opposition parties - the New Democratic Party and the bloc Quebecois. The three opposition parties hold a majority of 308 seats in the House.

The motion reads: "The House condemns the government for its arrogance in refusing to compromise with the opposition parties over the timing of the next general election and for its 'culture of entitlement,' corruption, scandal and gross abuse of public funds for political purposes and, consequently, the government no longer has the confidence of the House."

A vote on the motion is expected on Monday. A defeat would force an election, most likely in mid-January, following a campaign stretching over the holiday season.

Prime Minister Paul Martin had promised to call an election within 30 days of the release of the final part of the investigation report into a federal sponsorship scandal, which is expected to be in early February.

Speaking in Halifax on Wednesday as part of a cross-Canada speaking tour, Alberta Premier Ralph Klein said he did not see many changes in the political landscape after an expected federal election in January.

The outspoken Conservative premier said there would be again a Liberal minority government as the Conservative Party was unlikely to gain much ground in the vote-rich province of Ontario.

Source: Xinhua