The upcoming federal budget release on Nov. 4 will require cooperation from at least one other party for the Liberal government to pass it. Opposition parties are already indicating their priorities for the budget. Conservative employment critic Garnett Genuis proposed measures to enhance job opportunities for young workers facing a 15-year high unemployment rate. Genuis emphasized the importance of addressing this issue constructively and suggested including his ideas in the budget.
The Conservative Leader, Pierre Poilievre, has criticized the Liberals for deficit spending, while Prime Minister Mark Carney hinted at a larger deficit for this year. Despite this, the Liberals have committed to balancing operational spending in three years. Bloc Québécois finance critic Jean-Denis Garon outlined key demands for their support, including increased federal health transfers, infrastructure investments, and expanded housing initiatives.
Garnering support from the Bloc Québécois is crucial for the budget’s passage. Yves-François Blanchet had expressed concerns over the deficit, but Garon stressed that their proposals are self-financing, even suggesting cutting subsidies to the oil and gas industry. Interim NDP Leader Don Davies highlighted the need for substantial investments in jobs, healthcare, and housing without specifying details.
Budget votes are confidence votes, and the government could fall if it fails to pass the budget, leading to a potential election. Davies mentioned that the NDP opposes an austerity budget and emphasized laying out their vision for the country. The opposition parties could abstain from the budget vote to avoid toppling the government while expressing their dissatisfaction with the budget.