The Conservative government introduced a confidence motion Friday on extending Canada's combat mission in Afghanistan -- a move that could prompt a spring election if the Liberals vote against it.
Government House Leader Peter Van Loan confirmed that the government had put forth the motion.
"The motion presents a clear choice to the members of the House of Commons -- strengthen the military mission in Afghanistan or abandon the commitment we have made to the people of Afghanistan and our international allies," said Van Loan on Friday.
He said Prime Minister Stephen Harper invited Liberal Leader Stephane Dion to suggest changes to the motion before the government initially planned to submit it -- on Thursday.
"When none arrived, we delayed submitting the motion until today to allow him more time," said Van Loan. "Unfortunately, no suggested changes were provided by the Liberal leader... all we have seen are Mr. Dion's public statements that he is unwilling to compromise his position."
Dion, speaking to CTV's Canada AM on Friday, said Harper did not give the Liberals enough time.
"On Afghanistan, the prime minister had weeks to prepare his amendments and all of a sudden he suggested to me amendments, behind closed doors, within hours," he said. "So no, it will not work this way."
Dion said the Liberals will come up with their own proposal next week "and let the parliament do its job."
The chairman of the Senate Committee on National Security and Defence told CTV Newsnet's Mike Duffy Live that both the Liberals and Conservatives need to slow down and become less partisan about an issue that is important for Canadians.
"The Prime Minister needs to take into account the Manley report, show some more leadership, describe to Canadians why we're there, what we want to accomplish (and) communicate more," said Liberal Senator Colin Kenney.
He said Dion should also take into account that there are good recommendations in the Manley report, which was tabled last month by a blue ribbon committee led by former Liberal Deputy Minister John Manley. It called for NATO to provide 1,000 more troops and equipment, and it also told the Harper government to be more open with Canadians about the mission.
"We know that with more troops on the ground, helicopters, and UAVs (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles), we'll see casualties go down considerably," Kenney said.
"More troops mean we don't have to bring in air power as much and that means fewer Afghans killed."
Van Loan said the motion includes the conditions found in the Manley report. The motion also includes an extension of the mission for two years -- to February 2011.
Keith Martin -- the Liberal Canadian International Development Agency critic -- said Canada needs to focus on helping the Afghans step up so that they can take control of their country.
"It's not about NATO providing security, it's about the Afghan people providing security," Martin told Mike Duffy Live.
The Liberals are opposed to an extension of the combat mission and want Canadian troops to instead help out with reconstruction and training of Afghan forces. The Tories say Canadian soldiers have no choice but to play a combat role in the country.
"If they (Tories) don't change their mind we'll have to make our choice, we don't think the combat mission should continue," said Dion.
"There's the possibility that there will be an election and there's the possibility that there will not be an election."
CTV's Craig Oliver says that the Conservatives are likely looking at the poll numbers -- which have not pushed them much above the 30 to 35 per cent range in the past year -- and have probably decided to try to force the Liberals into calling an election.
In addition to the motion of confidence on Afghanistan, the Tories have also introduced a confidence motion on their omnibus crime bill. The Conservatives claim that the Liberal-controlled Senate is holding up the bill, which they want passed by early March. Oliver said that the Senate will likely pass the bill, so that will probably not trigger an election.
"But the big one is the federal budget," Oliver told CTV Newsnet on Friday night.
The budget -- which will be tabled later this month and is always a confidence motion -- will lead to an election if it is defeated.
"There's a very good chance (the Liberals) will bring the government down on the budget ... However, that wouldn't necessarily mean an election campaign only on the economy, which the Liberals would dearly love. It would also mean very much an election campaign on the war in Afghanistan. It will be a bitter, visceral campaign, and not one which anybody should look forward to."
