Federal budget narrowly passes
OTTAWA – The federal budget survived a 170-168 confidence vote in the House of Commons on Nov. 17.
Local Conservative Party MPs Michael Chong and John Nater voted in opposition to the $141-billion budget.
Additional votes will take place in the coming months as the budget, carrying a proposed 2025-26 deficit of over $78 billion, is advanced.
The Mark Carney minority government, shy of the 172 votes needed in the 343-seat House to pass the budget, relied on abstentions from opposition members to avoid an early election because votes on the budget are treated as confidence votes.
Two New Democrats and two Conservatives abstained from voting.
A fiscal update is expected in the spring.
