Uncertain Budget Victory for Carney's Liberals
Less than a week out from Budget Day, it is unclear whether Mark Carney's Liberals will have the votes to maintain the confidence of the House and keep the Government afloat.
The Government is signalling its intent to succeed and reaching out to counterparts, but a narrow victory may prove pyrrhic, a lost chance for Carney to secure the majority mandate he needs.
- The Bloc Québécois will oppose the budget unless its six demands are met.
- Pierre Poilievre's Conservatives have drawn a line in the sand with seemingly incompatible conditions:
- a deficit below $42 billion
- sweeping tax cuts
- an end to industrial carbon pricing
- The New Democrats remain the most likely source of relief, though they may see an election as a path back to official party status.
A pyrrhic budget victory could land Carney in the legislative hurt.
Author's summary: Carney's Liberals face uncertain budget victory.