Liberals clear first confidence vote on federal budget

OTTAWA — The minority Liberal government has survived the first of three confidence tests on its federal budget.

Members of Parliament have voted to defeat a Conservative sub-amendment in the House of Commons, with 139 MPs voting for the motion and 198 MPs voting against it.

The sub-amendment called on MPs to reject the budget on the basis that the government did not present “an affordable budget so Canadians can have an affordable life.”

Members of Parliament are set to vote today on an amendment to the budget that was proposed by the Bloc, which joined the Liberals and NDP in supporting the government.

If the government loses today’s vote, or the main vote on the budget itself, it will have lost the confidence of the House, which could trigger an election.

The Bloc had a highly unusual opportunity on Wednesday to propose the main amendment to the budget — after Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre missed his chance. The Bloc amendment calls on MPs to reject the budget because it is “harmful to Quebec.”

Traditionally, the Official Opposition leader amends the budget after their speech to the House of Commons. The third party then has a chance to add a sub-amendment.

Government House leader Steven MacKinnon’s office said the votes are considered matters of confidence because both amendments call on MPs to reject the budget.

Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne told reporters he’s heard from Canadians this week who are happy with the budget.

“I would invite any member of the opposition, go in the street, talk to people and you’ll see what they tell you,” he said.

The NDP voted down the Conservative motion, but interim leader Don Davies said the party’s position on future votes, including today’s, isn’t yet set. The NDP have seven seats in the House and could hold the balance of power on any confidence motion.

“We had a discussion about the vote today and we decided we’re going to vote no today, and we’ll have a discussion tomorrow about the Bloc motion,” Davies said.

Parliament Hill has been buzzing with rumours and speculation after Nova Scotia MP Chris d’Entremont left the Conservative caucus on Tuesday, just hours after the budget was released and joined the Liberals.

The move puts the government within two seats of a majority, and the Liberals are reportedly trying to woo more opposition MPs.

Alberta Conservative MP Matt Jeneroux’s office released a statement Wednesday saying he was not planning to cross the floor and was remaining a member of the Conservative caucus.

However, on Thursday, Jeneroux announced his resignation, saying in a letter that it was “not an easy decision,” but he believed it was the “right one.”

Poilievre said on social media that Jeneroux plans to step down as a member of Parliament next spring.

Quebec MP Dominique Vien released a video in which she addressed floor-crossing rumours and reaffirmed that she’s a Conservative Party of Canada MP.

Quebec MP Gérard Deltell told reporters in Quebec City on Thursday that d’Entremont’s departure was an isolated event.

“There won’t be any other departures, that’s the reality, whether it’s in Quebec or elsewhere,” he said.

His caucus colleague Jacques Gourde seemed less certain, however. He told reporters he didn’t think any more MPs will leave, but that he couldn’t “guarantee anything.”

The main vote on the budget will happen after Parliament takes a week-long break next week.

Liberal MP Sean Casey told reporters that in spite of all the posturing this week, he thinks the House will find a way to pass the budget.

“People recognize deep down that they will be punished for forcing a Christmas election,” he said.

— The Canadian Press