Government House Leader Steve MacKinnon is seen rising during question period in Ottawa in this Oct. 1, 2024, when he was the minister of labour and seniors. The Canadian Press/Adrian Wyld
Liberal House Leader Steven MacKinnon says the government lacks the votes it needs to pass the upcoming federal budget, and he’s urging opposition parties to support Ottawa’s annual spending plan to avoid a Christmas election.
MacKinnon told CBC’s Rosemary Barton during an Oct. 26 interview the government will require the support of at least one additional party to successfully pass the budget, which will be tabled Nov. 4 in the House of Commons. The budget represents a confidence vote and will topple the government if it fails to pass, effectively forcing Canadians back to the polls in December.
