federalelection:motions

So in a previous post, I was trying to explain that Paul Martin's government went under after Stephen Harper's motion of no confidence.

Motions of no confidence are fairly typical within a parliament that's governing party is in minority or coalition with another party.
Usually if somone tables a motion of no confidence against the government , the government will table a motion of confidence which takes a presidence over the previous motion.
(I know, I know, why?! Don't ask me...)
But in this case, that did not happen.

So as I understand it, the motion (or vote) goes before parliament and as you would expect is alot easier to win if you have a majority parliament.
However, as this was not the case The Liberals lost and Paul Martin made an appointment with the Governor General in which she agreed to dissolve the government and call a general election for January.