Stephen Harper

Opposition political parties in Canada said they have reached a deal to bring down the minority Conservative government of Prime Minister Stephen Harper.

The Liberals, New Democrats, and the Bloc Quebecois announced their coalition Monday. They accused Mr. Harper and the Conservatives of not doing enough to help Canadians cope with the global financial crisis.

The opposition scheduled a December 8 no-confidence vote in parliament.

To replace the government, opposition parties would have to defeat Mr. Harper's government in the confidence vote, and then ask Governor-General Michaelle Jean to install them in its place.

If that scenario plays out, opposition legislators said Liberal Party leader Stephane Dion would become prime minister in a new coalition government until May.

Canada's ruling Conservative Party won the most seats in an October 14 election, but it failed to win a majority of the 308 seats in parliament.

Some information for this report was provided by AFP, AP and Reuters.