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......or could it be that Harper is drawing this line in the sand in the hopes that he will get to hold elections sooner rather than later?

The libs are still trying to figure out if they're a chicken or an egg, the media STILL hasn't got a storyline that doesn't date back to the last century, none of Harper's opposition seem to know what "coordination" means and support of the military has both increased AND almost become the sole province of the Conservatives.

Add to that the fact that your Parliament hasn't been in session long enough to allow any of the children to screw up and give the opposition a talking point.

If the Bloc goes through with this one-trick pony act (and they'll have to get lib support to have a prayer), Harper can just let it happen, call for new elections and then break out the paintbrushes and ball bats.

I usually don't like movie catch lines, but I can almost hear Harper doing a Dirty Harry:

"Go ahead, make my day."

Doubt there's much chance the government's going to fall over the Afghanistan mission.
Beyond the CPC Caucus, Harper only needs a little over two dozen votes (depending upon attendance in the House) to carry the day.
And most likely - between Opposition MP's known to have some principles and/or patriotism & those who don't dare oppose it because they well know doing so would render them dead meat in their home Constituencies - Harper has those votes, and maybe 5-10 more, in hand.

If I had to bet money (although maybe not a lot) on the specific hill upon which Stephen's going to choose to let his government die, it will most probably bear a very large sign stating "tax-dollar sucking, ineffectual Gun Registry".
Especially now that the Accountability Act has now been passed.