Election looms as Layton blasts budget

All three opposition parties say they'll vote against the federal budget unless there are changes, likely triggering a spring election.

Defeat of the government will likely occur this week, either over the budget or a non-confidence motion planned by the Liberals on Friday.

That would topple the minority Conservatives and send voters to the polls in early May.

The government's fate seemed to be sealed by NDP Leader Jack Layton, who has joined the Liberals and Bloc Quebecois in announcing his party's intention to vote against the budget.

Layton says the budget falls short of the four conditions he'd laid down for NDP support.

He held out one chance to avoid a spring vote - big changes to the budget.