TORONTO - Ontario's New Democrats aren't ready to force a provincial election just yet, despite pleas from the Progressive Conservatives to stop propping up the minority Liberals.
The Liberals face two confidence votes this week on routine housekeeping bills, but the NDP said it will help keep the government in power, at least until the vote on the spring budget.
The Liberals introduced an Interim Supply motion, which allows the government to pay the bills in the fiscal year starting April 1, along with another motion known as the Concurrence of Estimates.
Both are considered money bills and therefore subject to confidence votes in the legislature that could trigger the defeat of the government if they aren't approved.
The NDP will support the Liberals on both of the votes because the motions don't involve new spending, but the New Democrats have not decided will vote on the provincial budget, expected in late March or early April.
The Tories lashed out at the NDP for criticizing the Liberals on one hand and propping up the government minutes later, and said the New Democrats should use their balance of power to force an election as soon as possible.
