Canada To Hold Early Elections After Government Toppled

Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper's government failed a confidence vote.

Canada is heading toward elections in May after the conservative government of Prime Minister Stephen Harper was brought down in a vote in parliament.

The motion, brought by the main opposition Liberal Party and backed by two other opposition parties, passed by just 11 votes on March 25.

The opposition accused the government of a series of power abuses, mismanagement, and ethical lapses.

Ahead of the vote, a parliamentary committee recommended the government be held in contempt for failing to provide a full accounting of spending plans.

The May vote will be the fourth general election in Canada in the past seven years.

compiled from agency reports