Economics will take a back seat to politics as the week starts. Federal opposition parties are set to introduce a no-confidence motion in the House of Commons on Monday evening.

If the vote goes as widely expected, Prime Minister Paul Martin will be forced to dissolve Parliament. On Tuesday, he’ll likely ask the Governor General to set an election for January 2006, either the 16th or the 23rd.

Politics aside, this week’s key economic report is likely to be Friday’s jobs report for November.

The November report is expected to show Canadian employers added 20,000 positions to their payrolls, led by gains in services industries. The unemployment rate is forecast to hold steady at 6.6%.

On Monday, Bank of Canada Governor David Dodge addresses a Toronto meeting of the Canadian Council for Public-Private Partnerships, on Investing in Productivity.

The Conference Board of Canada releases Biotechnology in Canada: A Technology Platform for Growth.

On Tuesday, Statistics Canada reports on the industrial product and raw materials price indexes for October. Economists expect drops of 0.1 and 0.8%, respectively, from the previous month.

Separately, StatsCan reports on the balance of international payments in the third quarter. Economists expect a surplus of $8.8-billion.

On Wednesday, economists expect Statistics Canada to report a September increase in the gross domestic product of 0.2% from the previous month. GDP is expected to have grown 3.7% in the third quarter from a year ago.

South of the border, it’s a full schedule on economic announcements following last week’s Thanksgiving holiday.

On Monday, the U.S. National Association of Realtors reports on existing home sales in October. Economists expect annualized sales of 7.2 million units.

On Tuesday, the U.S. Commerce Department reports on durable goods orders in October. Economists expect an increase of 1.5%.

Separately, Commerce reports on new home sales in October. Economists expect annualized sales of 1.2 million units.

Meanwhile, the U.S. Conference Board reports on consumer confidence in November. Economists expect a reading of 90.

Elsewhere, the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development publishes its economic outlook for major world economies.

On Wednesday, the U.S. Commerce Department issues preliminary figures on the gross domestic product in the third quarter. Economists expect growth of 4.1%.

The Chicago arm of the National Association of Purchasing Managers releases its index of manufacturing activity in October. Economists expect a reading of 60.

The U.S. Federal Reserve Board publishes its Beige Book, a compilation of anecdotal information on current economic conditions in its 12 districts.

On Thursday, the U.S. Labor Department reports on initial jobless claims in the week ending Nov. 26. Economists expect 323,000 new claims.

The U.S. Commerce Department reports on personal income and spending in October. Economists expect increases of 0.5 and 0.2%, respectively.

Separately, Commerce reports on construction spending in October. Economists expect an increase of 0.5% from the previous month.

The U.S. Institute for Supply Management releases its manufacturing index for October. Economists expect a reading of 58.

Elsewhere, the European Central Bank’s governing council sets its benchmark interest rate. Economists expect the rate to be raised to 2.25% from 2%.

On Friday, the U.S. Labor Department releases its employment report for November. Economists expect the unemployment rate to remain unchanged at 5%, and growth in non-farm payrolls of 215,000 new jobs.

U.S. Federal Reserve Board Chairman Alan Greenspan addresses the Philadelphia Federal Reserve Bank policy forum via video.

Bank earnings season continues this week, as Canada’s biggest banks open the books on their fourth-quarter results.

Bank of Montreal and Bank of Nova Scotia are slated to release results on Tuesday, followed by Royal Bank of Canada on Wednesday and CIBC on Thursday.

Other companies reporting this week include: Forzani Group Ltd.; Bombardier Inc.; Tundra Semiconductor Corp.; Gildan Activewear Inc.; and Descartes Systems Group Inc.