Ottawa – The Canadian government led by Mark Carney faces a critical week of confidence votes that could trigger a general election. Two separate votes, one on Thursday and another on Friday, threaten to bring down the Liberal minority government.
The first vote, scheduled for Thursday, concerns a Conservative subamendment to the 2025 federal budget. Conservatives argue the budget fails to address affordability for Canadians and seek the abolition of industrial carbon pricing, alongside a deficit cap of $42 billion. However, the government is expected to survive this vote, as the New Democratic Party (NDP), with all seven of its members, has announced it will vote against the Conservative subamendment.
The second vote, taking place Friday, will be on a Bloc motion aiming to reject the government’s budget statement, which the Bloc deems harmful to Quebec. The Bloc is advocating for increased old age pension benefits for seniors aged 65 to 74, bringing them in line with benefits currently received by those 75 and over.
Should the Carney government survive both votes,it may face a further vote of confidence on the budget itself the week of November 17.
The Liberals currently hold 170 seats in Parliament, needing 172 for a majority. The government’s position was bolstered recently by Nova Scotia MP Chris d’Entremont’s departure from the conservative caucus to join the Liberal ranks. To pass the budget, the Liberals now require only two votes from opposition parties or self-reliant MPs, with abstentions also possibly influencing the outcome.
With information from Christian Noël and The Canadian Press
