Tories, Bloc Rumoured to be Forming Alliance

In what would be a major political shocker, the Conservatives are reportedly cozying up to the Bloc Québecois to prop up their minority government.

Sources say that the Conservatives are in the process of striking a deal with the Bloc that would, among other things, secure federal funding for an NHL arena in Québec City, and delay a federal election until 2012. The move would require some fancy footwork from Stephen Harper, who has repeatedly described the possibility of a Bloc-Liberal-NDP as disastrous for Canada because it would give separatists power in Ottawa. Some kind of agreement between the Bloc and Conservatives might also be a stroke of political genius, as it could give Harper the support his minority government needs to avoid a spring 2011 election. Because several provincial elections are scheduled for next fall, Harper could avoid a federal vote until 2012.