Liberal Government Passes Budget Vote 170-168

OTTAWA, Canada — Prime Minister Mark Carney's minority Liberal government narrowly survived a pivotal budget vote in the House of Commons on Monday, passing the measure 170 to 168 and averting a federal election that could have occurred as early as December.

The close outcome hinged on abstentions from four opposition members and support from Green Party Leader Elizabeth May. Two New Democratic Party MPs, Lori Idlout and Gord Johns, chose not to vote, as did Conservative MPs Shannon Stubbs and Matt Jeneroux. Stubbs was on medical leave following surgery, while Jeneroux was in British Columbia supporting his wife's new professional role. May, the sole Green MP, backed the budget after Carney assured her of Canada's commitment to Paris Agreement climate targets. "I'm going to vote yes for the country, for the planet, and for my hope in the future," she told reporters.

The vote advanced Budget 2025, Carney's first major fiscal plan since his April election victory. The proposal nearly doubles the federal deficit to 78.3 billion Canadian dollars, with increased spending on defense, housing, infrastructure, and trade measures to counter U.S. tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump....