Now, it’s just a matter of minutes before the opposition parties in Canada’s parliament pass a motion of non-confidence in the Liberal government of PM². When that happens, Canadians will mark their ballots for the second time in less than two years — the date, likely Janaury 23, 2006.

No one will confidently predict the outcome of this eight-week campaign, but unless something completely unexpected happens, no party will get a landslide, and we may be seeing another election in another few years.

The House has voted it has lost confidence in the government; the final tally: 171 in favour, 133 against.