The speaker of Canada's elected House of Commons on Thursday upheld a Conservative motion of non-confidence in the minority Liberal government, clearing the way for a vote, expected on May 18, that could trigger a new election. Speaker Peter Milliken ruled the motion was in order. Its passage is uncertain because Parliament is divided, but if it does succeed it could lead to an election unless the Liberals succeed with some other procedural tactic. The Liberals lost their parliamentary majority in last June's election. --SP 2332 Local Time 2032 GMT
