In a dramatic political reversal that could determine the fate of Canada's minority government, Green Party Leader Elizabeth May announced Monday she will support Prime Minister Mark Carney's budget, providing the Liberals with a crucial vote to avoid triggering a snap election.
Climate Commitment Secures Support
The surprise decision came after May directly challenged Carney in the House of Commons about the budget's failure to mention Canada's international emissions reduction targets. Carney responded with a clear commitment, telling Parliament: "I can confirm to this House that we will respect our Paris commitments for climate change, and we're determined to achieve them."
May revealed that this oral commitment was sufficient to change her vote from no to yes. "Without what I heard from the Prime Minister today, I would have voted 'no,'" she stated, adding that she was willing to let history judge whether her decision made her "a fool" but maintained she was doing what she believed was right.
Constituent Pressure Influences Decision
The Green Party leader acknowledged that overwhelming feedback from her constituents played a significant role in her reversal. British Columbians made it clear they did not want an election to happen by "accident," she explained, indicating that public sentiment against another electoral contest weighed heavily on her decision-making process.
May had previously declared her intention to vote against the budget as written but left open the possibility of negotiation with the Liberal government to find acceptable compromises.
High-Stakes Vote Scheduled for Evening
All political attention now focuses on the House of Commons, where the third and final confidence vote on the main budget motion is scheduled for approximately 6:45 p.m. The outcome will determine whether Canada heads toward a Christmas election or continues with regular parliamentary business.
The minority Liberals hold 170 seats but can only reliably count on 169 votes, as Liberal MP and House Speaker Francis Scarpaleggia only votes in case of a tie. With May's support, the government effectively regains its 170-vote strength.
The opposition parties collectively control 172 votes and could easily defeat the budget if united. However, coordination appears challenging:
- The Bloc Québécois confirmed all 22 MPs will vote against the budget
- The NDP remained undecided as of Monday morning, having held a caucus meeting to determine their position
- NDP leadership candidate Heather McPherson declined to reveal her voting intentions
- The possibility exists that some NDP members might vote differently or abstain
Liberal Whip Mark Gerretsen assured that all Liberal MPs would be present in person for the critical vote, underscoring the high stakes for Carney's government.
