Prime Minister Stephen Harper is expected to put his minority government on the line over the future of the Afghanistan mission after he warned Liberal Leader Stéphane Dion that the Tories are preparing a confidence motion.
The Conservatives are set to introduce a motion Thursday on extending the Afghan combat mission, but it won't be voted on until March, government and opposition sources have told The Globe and Mail and Canadian Press.
Mr. Dion, who confirmed a government motion would likely be tabled Thursday, appeared somewhat conciliatory Wednesday, saying he will try to reach an agreement with the Tories over what role Canadian troops will play in Afghanistan post-2009.
"We don't want the extension of the combat mission after 2009. We don't think it's good for the mission," Mr. Dion told reporters after he met with his caucus. "This being said, we want to play a role after and if there is a possibility for the prime minister to see a compatibility between the role we want to play and something the he might agree with, well then, we'll propose ammendments."
Mr. Dion said the prime minister promised him the debate would not be rushed.
"We'll do it in a civilized way this time. We'll have the time to look at that. [Mr. Harper] doesn't want a vote on Afghanistan before the vote on the budget ... We'll do our best to convince the other colleagues in the House to come to our position."
A spokeswoman for Mr. Harper said the government has not yet declared the motion a confidence matter but hinted that will change.
Carolyn Stewart Olsen emphasized that the prime minister has called the Afghan issue a matter of grave importance.
"We expect debate to begin next week," she said. "We have time and are willing to be patient while the Liberals sort out their position."
If the government were to lose, it could plunge the country into an election.
Mr. Harper issued the warning during a 25-minute meeting between the two men yesterday to discuss the future of the Afghan mission and a possible compromise over Canada's presence in the strife-torn province of Kandahar.
The Liberals are divided on the issue, but Mr. Dion has said that he will whip the vote, meaning the party must vote as one. The NDP and the Bloc Quebecois are already against the mission, demanding that it end by 2009. The Liberals, however, have said there may be room for some compromise.
However, Mr. Dion has told Mr. Harper that he won't budge from his condition that any Canadian role in Afghanistan after 2009 not include a combat function.
It's unclear what a confidence motion would say. For example, the prime minister could try to push through the recommendations of the report from the panel led by former foreign affairs minister John Manley, which suggests that Canada leave Kandahar in 2009 if NATO doesn't provide another 1,000 troops, helicopters and unmanned aircraft.
Or he might compromise with Mr. Dion in an effort to win over Liberal support. For example, the prime minister might put an end-date on the mission of 2011, which could garner Liberal backing.
Although a confidence vote is dangerous for the Liberals, it also has pitfalls for the Tories, hence the need for the prime minister to at least appear as though he is attempting to compromise.
Mr. Dion laid out his position as he and Mr. Harper discussed ways for Canada to move forward in warring country and attempted to find common ground on the Manley report.
"Mr. Dion made clear the Liberal Party's long-standing position on the mission in Afghanistan, including our firm and unwavering belief that the combat mission in Kandahar must end by February, 2009," said a statement released by Mr. Dion after the meeting ended late yesterday afternoon.
