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Prime Minister Mark Carney’s government survived its first confidence vote over the federal budget on Thursday evening, but will face another one before the week is done.
The NDP, Bloc Quebecois and Green Party Leader Elizabeth May voted with the minority Liberals to defeat a Conservative sub-amendment to the budget in the House of Commons.
The Conservative measure was a sub-amendment to the Bloc’s own budget amendment, which will face a vote Friday.
A spokesperson for Government House Leader Steven Mackinnon told Global News earlier Thursday that Carney made the determination to make both amendments confidence votes.
“They are matters of confidence,” communications director Mark Kennedy said.
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NDP interim leader Don Davies told reporters his seven-member caucus would vote with the Liberals to defeat the Conservative measure, which sought to add its spending and tax priorities to the budget.
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“The one today we’re definitely voting against,” Davies said.
“The Conservatives want massive cuts to public spending. That’s exactly the opposite direction that New Democrats think we need to go in, which is investing in the Canadian economy. So there’s absolutely no way we’re going to support the Conservatives’ motion today.”
Carney told reporters after question period it was “good to see” the NDP supporting his government.
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Davies said the party is still reviewing the Bloc’s motion and wouldn’t say if the NDP will vote against that one too.
The Conservatives and Bloc Quebecois have both come out against the budget after it was unveiled Tuesday, saying it failed to meet their priorities.
The NDP has yet to declare a position on the budget, saying Tuesday it would take time to review the document.
The minority Liberals need two more votes to survive any confidence vote.
The party boosted its seat count to 170 after Nova Scotia MP Chris d’Entremont resigned from the Conservative caucus Tuesday, crossing the floor to join the Liberals.
More to come…
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