Here's what Stephen Harper said to Governor General Adrienne Clarkson in 2004 after Paul Martin won a minority government:
Quote:
We respectfully point out that the opposition parties, who together constitute a majority in the House, have been in close consultation. We believe that, should a request for dissolution arise this should give you cause, as constitutional practice has determined, to consult the opposition leaders and consider all of your options before exercising your constitutional authority.
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Also, a 2000 written draft agreement called the "Consensus Leadership for a New Century" that was brokered between the Canadian Alliance, the Progressive Conservatives, and the Bloc has recently come to light. While it never came to fruition because the Liberals won a majority, there were preliminary talks amongst the parties to form a coalition with Stockwell Day as PM to defeat the Liberals if the numbers worked out.