Canadian Chamber decries political crisis

OTTAWA, Dec. 2 (UPI) -- The Canadian Chamber of Commerce Tuesday issued a rebuke to all four federal political parties over a parliamentary crisis that could unseat the government.

In a statement, the chamber that represents 175,000 businesses said it was "dismayed with actions taken by all federal political parties."

Three opposition parties formed a coalition during the weekend with a stated intention of voting down the minority Conservative government for slowness in responding to the economic downturn.

"With so much at stake, all members of Parliament must set partisan maneuvering aside and focus instead on measures to bolster investor and consumer confidence and restore economic growth," the chamber said in its statement. "The Canadian Chamber of Commerce calls upon all political parties to concentrate on the public interest above all other considerations."

The political brinkmanship could see Canada face another federal election seven weeks after the last one, or Prime Minister Stephen Harper could suspend parliament until late January. The governor general could also accede to the coalition's request and grant them an interim leadership role.