Minutes before the deadline for Monday’s budget vote, two senior Conservatives entered the chamber stating their electronic voting app was malfunctioning and expressed their intention to vote against Prime Minister Mark Carney’s budget. MPs Andrew Scheer and Scott Reid, the party’s House leader and caucus chair respectively, could have opposed the budget earlier but waited until all their colleagues had voted. Despite video footage showing two individuals behind curtains on the Conservative side during the count, Scheer’s chief of staff denied their involvement.
As it became evident that the budget would pass due to two NDP abstentions and two other Conservatives abstaining, Scheer and Reid informed the Speaker of their desire to vote against the budget but cited technical difficulties within Parliament preventing them from doing so. The Speaker permitted their delayed votes.
Although the Conservatives strongly opposed the Liberal budget, sources indicate the party leadership aims to avoid an election soon after the recent one, especially as polls favor Carney as a potential prime minister over Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre.
There was uncertainty surrounding the New Democrats’ stance on the vote, with party MPs keeping their decisions private. Scheer and Reid refraining from voting could have provided the party flexibility in potentially preventing the government from collapsing if necessary, as major financial bills like the budget are considered matters of confidence.
Scheer’s chief clarified that he had planned to vote remotely due to his participation in a meeting on international human rights issues, leading him to rush to the Commons to cast his vote after encountering technology issues. Reid did not respond to requests for comment.
Former chief of staff to Brian Mulroney, David McLaughlin, suggested that the Conservatives strategically manipulated the majority in favor of the government. Despite some tensions, the Conservatives can choose to support the government openly in future confidence votes or opt for alternative actions, as highlighted by Public Works Minister Joël Lightbound.
Poilievre and his team are currently focused on the upcoming leadership review in January, following his shortfall in the last federal campaign. Prior to the budget vote, conversations between the Conservatives, NDP, and Bloc Québécois hinted at potential abstentions to prevent an election scenario.
In the end, the budget would have passed based solely on the Conservative votes, even without NDP abstentions. The absence of MPs like Matt Jeneroux, who announced resignation plans in the new year, and Shannon Stubbs, on medical leave, impacted the voting dynamics. Stubbs’ inability to vote remotely due to facial recognition software challenges post-jaw surgery drew criticism online, despite her opposition to the budget.
Some Conservatives defended Stubbs, emphasizing her loyalty and dedication to the party. Poilievre criticized the budget for its potential impact on the cost of living for Canadians. The Liberals welcomed the budget’s passage, with Government House Leader Steve MacKinnon affirming the effectiveness of the minority Parliament.
Overall, the budget vote outcome was seen as a pivotal moment for the Canadian government, with Carney expressing his satisfaction with the decision and highlighting it as a positive development for the country.
