[VioletlightHeron]

I agree that the Liberal minority gov't won't collapse anytime soon, although I think that Harper, Layton and Duceppe will use the threat of an early election to gain concessions from the Liberals. The whole publication ban issue stinks to high heaven in my view. Not only has Chretien and his lawyers attempted to yank Gomery from the inquiry, the whole timing of the ban and the laying of the charges against Brault seems to have benefits for Martin and his gov't.
If an early election does happen, I predict a coalition between the NDP and the Bloc in Ontario and Quebec. Harper has the whole "social conservative" label working against him in those two populous provinces so the likelihood of the Conservatives gaining ground there seem very slim. The Liberal Party isnt dead by any means but they are teetering awefully close to irrelevancy under Martin's leadership.