MPs narrowly approved Prime Minister Mark Carney’s inaugural budget on Monday, avoiding an imminent election and granting the Liberals an extended period to lead amidst uncertain times. The vote was a close call, with enough Opposition MPs supporting Carney to secure a crucial win in the closely divided minority Parliament. In the end, 170 MPs, including all Liberals and Green Party Leader Elizabeth May, voted in favor of the budget, while 168 MPs opposed it. Notably, four MPs abstained, reducing the number of votes needed to pass the budget.
Among those who abstained were NDP MPs Lori Idlout and Gord Johns, and Conservative MPs Shannon Stubbs and Matt Jeneroux. Interim NDP Leader Don Davies explained that while the party could not back the budget, they opted to avoid triggering an election by abstaining from the vote. On the Conservative side, Jeneroux had earlier announced his resignation due to rumored party crossing, while Stubbs couldn’t vote due to health reasons.
Had the budget been rejected, the Carney government would likely have resigned, prompting a snap election. May’s support was crucial in providing the government with much-needed breathing space. The budget, termed a “generational investment,” allocates substantial funds to infrastructure, housing, military, and the Major Projects Office (MPO) for nation-building initiatives. Additionally, the budget includes measures to promote liquified natural gas (LNG) terminals and clean-energy projects to diversify trade avenues.
Critics, including Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre, raised concerns about the budget’s $78-billion deficit and its impact on national debt. Poilievre made demands to revise certain provisions, but when these were not met, his party opposed the budget. Despite Poilievre’s stance, two Conservative MPs abstained from voting, highlighting internal party dynamics. The Bloc Québécois voted against the budget, emphasizing demands related to seniors and Quebec.
The NDP, facing challenges like leadership vacancies and financial debts, engaged in extensive discussions before deciding on whether to support the budget or trigger an election. Ultimately, the budget passed, providing the Carney government with an opportunity to implement its proposed initiatives and navigate the country through economic uncertainties.