Power & Politics Will Monday's budget vote send Canada to another election?
Nov 15, 2025
In his farewell as Canada’s UN ambassador, Bob Rae shares insights on multilateralism, emphasizing the UN's need to address human rights and climate change alongside peace. Meanwhile, Conservative MP Adam Chambers critiques the federal budget, voicing concerns over affordability and potential conflicts in the proposed fast-track process for major projects. The discussion also explores the precarious balance of votes leading up to Monday's budget, with both Rae and Chambers offering compelling reflections on the direction of Canadian politics.
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Public Posture Vs Private Calculations
- The Liberals publicly say they may not have the votes but insist forcing an election now would be foolish.
- Internal private conversations matter more than public statements in tight confidence votes.
Liberals Ready But Reluctant
- Liberals prefer to avoid an election but are politically prepared to call one if necessary.
- Many in the caucus believe they'd likely win again, so readiness reduces their urgency to compromise.
Abstain To Signal Without Triggering
- New Democrats can abstain to avoid triggering an election while signalling disapproval.
- Don Davies explicitly told members abstention remains an option amid internal splits.