Liberal House leader Steve MacKinnon expressed concerns on Tuesday about the potential lack of opposition support for the government’s upcoming budget while also dismissing certain demands put forth by other parties. The Liberal government will require the cooperation of at least one opposition party to pass the budget, to be presented on November 4. Failure to pass the budget, being a confidence vote, could lead to a new election.
MacKinnon conveyed his worries to reporters at Parliament Hill, stating, “When I see opposition parties ruling out the possibility of voting for the budget, that’s starting to worry me.” Opposition parties have outlined some priorities for the forthcoming budget.
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre wrote to Prime Minister Mark Carney on Monday, emphasizing the need for an “affordable budget” featuring broad tax cuts and maintaining the deficit below $42 billion. Meanwhile, the Bloc Québécois listed six key priorities for the budget, including increasing the federal health transfer to provinces, new infrastructure investments, expanding the rapid housing initiative, offering interest-free loans to first-time homebuyers, and boosting Old Age Security (OAS) payments for individuals aged 65 to 75.
Despite voicing concerns over garnering support for the budget, MacKinnon dismissed the demands of both the Conservatives and the Bloc Québécois. He criticized the Bloc Québécois for ruling out support without reviewing the budget and labeled the Conservatives’ demands as unreasonable.
NDP interim Leader Don Davies responded to MacKinnon’s remarks, asserting that it is the government’s responsibility to secure backing for its budget. Davies highlighted that the decision on whether an election will occur rests with Prime Minister Carney, who must craft a budget capable of gaining at least one opposition party’s support.
Davies emphasized the need for the government to engage with all parties collaboratively to ensure sufficient votes for budget approval. Despite having only seven seats following the April election, the NDP wields enough influence to sway the vote outcome. The Liberals could pass the budget with NDP support or if the NDP abstains from voting.
Carney has indicated a larger deficit this year compared to the previous one, with the Liberals pledging to balance operational spending within three years. The Parliamentary Budget Officer’s recent report projected a $68.5 billion annual deficit this year, up from $51.7 billion last year. The report did not incorporate plans to increase defense spending gradually to meet the updated NATO target of five percent of GDP by 2035, nor did it consider Ottawa’s proposed reductions in public service spending over the next three years.