March 22 (Reuters) - Canada's opposition parties have said they will oppose the budget unveiled on Tuesday by the minority Conservative government. That makes it all-but-certain that Canadians will head to the voting booth this spring, because the government needs one opposition party to support the measure to avoid calling an election.
Here is a look at Canada's major political parties.
CONSERVATIVE PARTY
The Conservatives under Prime Minister Stephen Harper were elected as a minority government in 2006 and re-elected with a slightly stronger minority in 2008. The current party was formed from the 2003 merger of the former Progressive Conservative Party and the western Canadian-based Canadian Alliance that helped unite Canada's factious right wing. Polls have shown the Conservatives with a comfortable lead over the other parties, but just shy of what they would likely need to win a majority government that does not need opposition support to stay in power. But Harper has fought accusations in past elections that he would pursue far more right-wing policies if he had majority power. The Conservatives promise to keep the economy on a steady keel, eliminating the budget deficit in four years and not raising taxes.
LIBERAL PARTY
Sometimes called Canada's "natural governing party" because of their long periods in power, the party promotes itself as progressive on social social policies, but with tight fiscal management. A spring vote would be the first test of leader Michael Ignatieff, who became leader after the Liberal's poor performance in the 2008 campaign. Ignatieff has fared poorly in voter surveys, and has been the subject of Conservative attack advertisements. The Liberals helped keep the Conservatives in power since 2008 as the party worked to rebuild its finances and internal organization. They promise to boost social spending and pay for it by revoking corporate tax cuts.
BLOC QUEBECOIS
The Bloc Quebecois's purpose is independence for French-speaking Quebec. It only runs candidates in Quebec, but enjoys far more support there than the other major parties with left-leaning economic and social policies, and is again expected to win the majority of the seats there.
NEW DEMOCRATIC PARTY
The New Democrats are to the left of the Liberals on the political spectrum, but were was seen as the party most likely to support the Conservatives in the budget fight. But the NDP said the budget failed to meet some of its key demands for helping senior citizens and middle-class families. The party also opposes the Conservative corporate tax cuts. The NDP faces an extra campaign hurdle in that leader Jack Layton. Layton is recovering from prostate cancer and underwent hip surgery in early March.
GREENS
The Green Party, which stresses environmental policy, does not have any seats in Parliament. Polls have shown it winning nearly 10 percent of voter support, which in some close races could have an impact on how the parties fare even if the Greens again win no seats themselves under Canada's first past the post voting system. (Reporting by Allan Dowd; editing by Janet Guttsman)