Why was Stephen Harper’s government found in contempt of Parliament in 2011?

In March 2011, the government of Prime Minister Stephen Harper was found in contempt of Parliament for failing to provide the House of Commons with sufficient budgetary documentation regarding the costs of several government proposals.12

Specifically, the administration withheld detailed information concerning the financial implications of:

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

This finding was historic, as it marked the first time a national government in a Commonwealth country had been held in contempt of Parliament. Following this ruling, the House of Commons passed a motion of no confidence by a vote of 156–145, which toppled the minority government and triggered the 2011 federal election.12