How did the 2011 no-confidence vote bring down Stephen Harper’s government?

In March 2011, Stephen Harper’s minority government was brought down by a vote of no confidence after the House of Commons found the administration in contempt of Parliament.12

This historic finding—the first time a national government in a Commonwealth country had been held in contempt—occurred because the government failed to provide Members of Parliament with sufficient budgetary information regarding the costs of several key proposals. Specifically, the government withheld details concerning:12

• Anticrime programs12
• Corporate tax cuts12
• Plans to purchase fighter jets from the United States12

The no-confidence motion, sponsored by Liberal Party leader Michael Ignatieff, passed by a vote of 156–145. This defeat forced the dissolution of Parliament and triggered the general election held on May 2, 2011, which ultimately resulted in Harper securing a majority government.12