Liberal Government of Canada Survives Second Confidence Vote on Budget

On November 7, Prime Minister Mark Carney’s Liberal government once again survived a confidence vote after the Bloc Québécois amendment calling to reject the federal budget was defeated by a wide margin — 307 to 30. The Bloc, NDP, and Green Party voted in favour, while the Liberals and Conservatives voted against.

The Bloc argued that the budget “hurts Quebec” because it does not raise federal health transfers to 6 percent, excludes people aged 65–74 from an Old Age Security increase, fails to reimburse Quebec $814 million for the end of the carbon tax, and lacks real measures to fight climate change.

Earlier, the Conservatives introduced their own amendment condemning the budget for “excessive spending that fuels higher taxes and inflation.” That amendment also failed — 198 to 139.

Both amendments were considered confidence votes, the failure of which could have triggered an early election. The final vote on the budget is expected later in November.

Carney’s budget projects a $78.3-billion deficit, new spending to stimulate the economy, and cuts to the public service and foreign aid. The Liberals currently hold 170 seats in the House of Commons — two short of the majority needed to pass the budget without opposition support.