NDP Leader Jack Layton appeared shocked Wednesday when the Liberals came out in support of the Conservatives' budget, effectively ending an unprecedented NDP-Grit coalition forged only two months ago to topple the Tory government.
But for many political commentators, the political shift was anything but a surprise. In recent weeks, many analysts predicted that the coalition, which required the support of the Bloc Quebecois, was finished.
Still, Layton continued to publicly cling to the partnership.
In fact, Layton repeatedly told reporters that he and newly-crowned Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff were staying in contact and talking about their political partnership.
Even as the Tories began to leak details of the budget's massive spending on infrastructure, public housing and job training, Layton maintained that the coalition would work together to bring down the government no matter what.
But on Wednesday, the deal that could have given Layton a seat at the Cabinet table was officially over, and along with it, one of the more colorful chapters in Canada's usually staid parliamentary history. Source.
