Harper 'on probation' as Barack Obama plans trip to Canada

Michael Ignatieff, the Liberal leader, ensured the survival of the minority Harper government by agreeing to vote for its budget as long as it agreed to provide regular reports to the House of Commons. The government agreed and Ignatieff says, Harper and company are "on probation."

Reaction: Jack Layton, the NDP leader was not at all pleased with Ignatieff's decision, and says there is now a Liberal-Tory coalition. The one his party entered into with former Liberal leader Stephane Dion, propped up by Gilles Duceppe, and the separatist Bloc Quebecois died. Duceppe more or less shrugged at Ignatieff`s knowing that in politics you do what you gotta do!

Layton is obviously very angry that his bid to become a cabinet minister through the back door failed with the collapse of the coalition. The NDP would have had six seats in a 24 member cabinet. The NDP has launched radio ads attacking Ignatieff. Nasty, nasty Jack!

Politics makes strange bedfellows: Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty, a Liberal is gushing with praise for the Harper government's budget, while Newfoundland and Labrador Premier Danny Williams, a Conservative, and Quebec Premier Jean Charest, now a Liberal but former leader of the national Conservative party (then called Progressive Conservatives) are unhappy. Only in Canada!

But the REALLY BIG news is that US President Barack Obama is coming to Canada on February 19, his first official visit to another country since becoming president. He will meet with the prime minister and other important people. All want to at least have a photo op with Obama. He has an 80% approval rating among Canadians, much more popular than any Canadian politician. President Obama will not be staying overnight -- he arrives in the morning of the 19th, and will likely be back in the White House before his children go to bed.

Enjoy your day