As the federal government faces a pivotal confidence vote on its budget on Monday, government whip Mark Gerretsen asserts readiness for a potential election. In an interview on Sunday with “Rosemary Barton Live,” Gerretsen mentioned that his government has engaged with all opposition parties to address their budget concerns and collaborate to secure their backing. If every Member of Parliament were to participate in the vote on Monday, the minority Liberals would require opposition support to pass the budget and avert an election.
Despite Gerretsen’s belief that Canadians do not desire an election, he emphasized that his party is well-prepared. He stated, “We’re always prepared for an election. The Liberal Party has been prepared since the last one.” Gerretsen confirmed that all Liberal MPs will partake in the vote on Monday evening.
After Nova Scotia MP Chris d’Entremont switched from the Conservative Party to the Liberals earlier this month, the governing party gained an additional vote, bringing their total to 170 seats, including the Speaker who would only vote to break a tie. To pass the budget, the minority party would need to secure 172 votes if all MPs were present for the vote.
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre has expressed opposition to the Liberals’ fiscal policy since the budget was introduced, stating that his party intends to unanimously oppose the motion. Bloc Québécois Leader Yves-François Blanchet also indicated skepticism about his party’s support for the budget, with all Bloc MPs intending to vote against it. The NDP, with its seven seats, holds the balance and has yet to confirm its stance on the vote.
Regarding the Green Party, Leader Elizabeth May remains undecided on whether she will support the federal budget on Monday. May highlighted concerns about the budget’s lack of strong commitments to climate policies but mentioned ongoing discussions with government representatives to potentially influence her vote. Despite her reservations, May expressed openness to backing the government in the confidence vote.
May’s vote would bring the total supporting the budget to 170, requiring at least one opposition MP to vote in favor for the Liberals to pass the budget. Alternatively, if some opposition MPs abstain from voting, the government could secure the budget’s passage. However, no party has shown interest in abstaining from the vote publicly. An NDP abstention would be adequate to pass the budget and prevent an election. Additionally, strategic abstentions from a small number of MPs could be used by a party to avoid triggering an election while publicly demonstrating dissent against the budget.
