The Canadian Press

New Democratic Party leader Jack Layton, Liberal leader Stephane Dion, and Bloc Quebecois leader Gilles Duceppe, left to right, talk to the media.(THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld)

A timeline of recent developments in the unfolding parliamentary crisis in Ottawa:

Nov. 24

• Finance Minister Jim Flaherty says economic update won't contain any economic stimulus package, but sources say Conservatives are considering one.

Nov. 27

• Fiscal update is introduced; contains no stimulus package, but does propose eliminating a $27-million subsidy for political parties and banning public-sector strikes. Critics denounce the Tories for playing politics in a time of crisis.

Nov. 28

• Former New Democrat leader Ed Broadbent and former Liberal prime minister Jean Chretien meet to discuss the possibility of a Liberal-NDP coalition.
• Liberals serve notice of a motion of non-confidence in the government and declare a "viable alternative" coalition helmed by Liberal Leader Stephane Dion.
• Prime Minister Stephen Harper publicly condemns talk of a coalition, cancels two opportunities on Dec. 1, for Opposition to bring down government, establishing Dec. 8 as first date for a non-confidence vote.

Nov. 29

• Tories quickly reverse course; Transport Minister John Baird announces government has withdrawn plan to cancel political subsidy.
• NDP holds a secret strategy session -- surreptitiously heard and recorded by the Conservatives -- in which leader Jack Layton talks of plotting weeks earlier with the Bloc to bring down the government.

Nov. 30

• Finance Minister Jim Flaherty announces new budget date of Jan. 27, "the earliest budget date in modern times" and about a month ahead of schedule; Tories also dump plan to ban strikes by public-sector workers.
• Conservatives release audio recording of NDP strategy session.

Dec. 1

• Liberals, NDP, Bloc sign agreement to form coalition; Liberal Leader Stephane Dion pens letter to Governor General urging her to allow the coalition to form a new government.
• Police are asked to investigate whether Tories broke the law by listening in and recording NDP strategizing.

Dec. 2

• Gov. Gen. Michaelle Jean cuts short her European trip to return to Ottawa in anticipation of being asked to do one of three things: prorogue Parliament, trigger an election by dissolving Parliament or invite the Liberal-NDP coalition to form an alternative government.