OTTAWA, Dec. 12 (UPI) -- Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper met with the new leader of the Liberal opposition party Friday in the midst of a battle that could unseat the government.
Liberal chief Michael Ignatieff met with Harper in the Parliament buildings for about 30 minutes, although spokesmen for both parties said little about the discussion, other than it centered on the federal budget, the Globe and Mail reported.
"It was a cordial and businesslike meeting," a Harper spokesman said.
Harper's minority Conservative government got Parliament suspended until late January to avoid a non-confidence vote and to allow time to create a budget. Harper invited opposition input, and called Ignatieff Wednesday, just hours after the Liberals named him interim leader until a spring leadership convention in March and April.
Liberal officials are also scheduled to meet with Finance Minister Jim Flaherty next week, the Canadian Broadcasting Corp. said.
The Conservatives are scheduled to present their budget Jan. 27 in Ottawa, and face the possibility of a non-confidence overthrow that could result in three opposition parties assuming power, or a federal election.
