Liberals say Canadians don't want an election as parties point fingers

OTTAWA — Liberal members of Parliament lined up Wednesday to say Canadians are in no mood to go to the polls for a second time this year, as the government warns it lacks the votes needed to pass next week’s federal budget.

The spectre of a possible Christmas-time election has been raised as Government House Leader Steven MacKinnon accuses opposition parties of presenting demands that he says are unserious and signalling that the minority Liberals should not count on their support.

Opposition parties, in turn, have said the Liberals bear the responsibility of negotiating a way to stay afloat and that whatever happens lies at their feet. That leaves Canadians watching a game of parliamentary chicken, with some perhaps wondering if Santa Claus won’t be the only guest visiting their househo