The Current Will the Liberals get enough votes to pass the budget?
Nov 17, 2025
Rosemary Barton, CBC's chief political correspondent, shares her insights on federal dynamics, while Stephanie Levitz from the Globe and Mail and Ryan Tumilty of the Toronto Star dig into the crucial House of Commons vote. They discuss the uncertainties surrounding Liberal support and the potential for a snap election. Key topics include Elizabeth May’s influence, NDP caucus dynamics, and motivations behind opposition strategies. The conversation also covers the stalled Canada-U.S. trade negotiations and what premiers are demanding from the Prime Minister.
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Government Unsure Of Vote Count
- The Liberal government does not know if it has the votes to survive the budget vote tonight.
- The party has not actively negotiated with opposition parties to secure confidence support.
NDP Could Be Decisive Swing
- The NDP caucus is the most likely group to split or help the Liberals on the budget.
- A tie could force the Speaker to cast a deciding vote, a rare outcome in recent decades.
Matt Jenner's Voting Ambiguity
- Matt Jener's past abstentions complicate today's outcome since he hasn't always voted with Conservatives.
- If he votes with the Liberals now it would raise questions about his future in the Conservative caucus.