Prime Minister Stephen Harper's minority government survived a vote Friday that could have sent Canadians to the polls for a rare summer election when Liberal MPs backed a routine spending bill.
The Liberals voted with the Conservatives on the spending bill on Friday, while the New Democrats and Bloc Quebecois voted against it.
The final vote tally was 214 in favour of the bill, 82 against, and there was little drama in what the outcome would be.
Instead of the catcalls and heckling that have defined the last parliamentary session, the predominant emotion on Friday from MPs seemed to be relief.
Earlier in the week the prospect of a summer election loomed large as Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff made demands of Harper on Employment Insurance reform, isotopes, the deficit and stimulus spending.
Ignatieff warned he was willing to send Canadians to the polls if Harper didn't make an effort to co-operate with the Liberals, especially on EI.
He initially demanded immediate changes to EI, but later backed down and agreed to let the government live after Harper promised to work with the Liberals on the issue.
The Conservative government is expected to face more rough waters in the fall, after MPs return to Ottawa and Parliament resumes.
There is an opposition day planned for late September that could be used for a non-confidence motion to topple the government.
Harper said this week it would be "crazy" to suggest that the deal with the Liberals simply postpones the fall of his government until the autumn.
"We could be defeated every other week on something in September, October, November, December," he said after securing Liberal support.
"That's the nature of a minority parliament. But I don't think the public wants surprises and I don't think the public wants an unnecessary election."
