The government of Canada yesterday survived a no confidence vote:

The combination of the Liberals, the NDP, and Independent MP Carolyn Parrish resulted in 151 votes. Independent MP Chuck Cadman also voted with the yes side, bringing the vote to 152.

But, after the Conservatives, the Bloc Quebecois and Independent MP David Kilgour voted, the numbers were tied at 152.

Speaker of the House Peter Milliken was left to make the final, deciding vote in favour of the government.

Meanwhile, questions have arisen as to the propriety of how some of the pro-government votes were assured, with suggestions that the Chief of Staff, Tim Murphy offered positions of influence to opposition Members of Parliament in exchange for their vote. The London Fog comments on the alleged bribery (including a link to the audio in mp3 of a secretly taped meeting purportedly between Murphy and an opposition MP), and offers an amusing round-up of media reaction, while Colby Cosh asks five intriguing questions.

Mark Steyn has apparently disavowed the Canadian government.

UPDATE: Here’s what happened last week that led to the current constitutional crisis:

The federal government waded into uncharted constitutional waters Tuesday night after the Liberals were narrowly defeated in a vote the Conservatives say should topple the fragile minority government, but Prime Minister Paul Martin says he will ignore.

And here’s background information on the so-called sponsorship scandal that serves as the background to the whole state of affairs (but from the CBC, the state broadcasting service).