Prime Minister Mark Carney’s minority Liberal government cleared its first major political hurdle Thursday night, surviving the initial confidence vote on the 2025 federal budget thanks to crucial support from the New Democratic Party.
The motion, brought forward by Pierre Poilievre’s Conservatives, sought to reject Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne’s economic plan, but was defeated 198 to 139 with the backing of the Liberals, NDP, Bloc Québécois, and Green Party MPs.
The Conservatives’ rejected sub-amendment accused the government of presenting “a budget that fails to consider that every dollar the Liberal government spends comes out of the pockets of Canadians,” citing concerns about inflation, the deficit, and a lack of new oil and gas infrastructure projects.
Hours before the vote, Government House Leader Steven MacKinnon announced that both the Conservative motion and the upcoming Bloc Québécois amendment would be treated as confidence votes, effectively putting the government’s survival on the line. However, any suspense dissipated once interim NDP Leader Don Davies confirmed his caucus would vote against the Conservative motion.
“The Conservatives want massive cuts to public spending — that’s exactly the opposite direction that New Democrats think we need to go in,” Davies said, calling Poilievre’s approach “absolutely irresponsible.”
Prime Minister Carney later praised the NDP’s decision, saying, “It’s good to see they made the right choice.”
Meanwhile, Deputy Conservative Leader Melissa Lantsman said her party’s stance was clear: “We can’t support this budget.”
The day also saw procedural drama in the House of Commons, as the Bloc Québécois unexpectedly managed to table its own amendment ahead of the Conservatives — a rare reversal that prompted some ridicule from opposition benches. “It’s interesting that the Conservatives were asleep at the switch,” quipped Davies, pointing to what he described as “disarray in the Conservative Party.”
The Bloc’s amendment, which will come to a vote on Friday afternoon, also calls for the House to reject the budget, arguing it is “harmful to Quebec” for failing to raise health transfers, boost Old Age Security, or improve carbon rebate payments.
Davies said his party has not yet decided how it will vote on the Bloc proposal, noting that “while the government falling is always a concern,” his focus remains on policy, not politics.
If the Liberals survive the second round of confidence votes, MPs will return to Ottawa after their week-long constituency break for final debate and a potential final budget confidence vote as early as November 17.
For now, the government has bought itself breathing room — but with more confidence tests ahead, Carney’s minority remains under constant pressure to keep its fragile alliances intact.