Explaining your world, today:
As we’ve been discussing over the last several weeks, the Pierre Poilievre-led Conservatives indeed put forward a motion of non-confidence in the House of Commons today, with the goal of bringing down the Justin Trudeau-led Liberal government and forcing a federal election.
The result? As predicted, the government won. The House expressed confidence in the Liberals and an election has been avoided.
As we’ve covered previously, a minority government – a party that doesn’t have a majority of the seats in the House of Commons – can’t lose a vote of confidence. And to survive a confidence vote as a minority government, the Liberals not only needed all of their MPs to vote down the Tory motion, they also needed help from the Bloc Québécois or the NDP.
Turns out they got support from both parties!
Why?
Well, to recap, the Bloc wants a better deal for Quebec, which in turn they can use to justify their existence in the next federal vote. And the NDP – yes, that NDP that just ripped up their Supply-and-Confidence Agreement with the Liberals – wants to ensure their pharmacare bill becomes law…and that they have more time to raise a few more dollars to fight the next election.
So, there you have it: Justin Trudeau lives to fight another day. And though a federal election this fall seems increasingly unlikely, that doesn’t mean there won’t be elections in Canada this year.
Hold on, what?
It’s true! There will be three elections in Canada this fall: provincial elections!
Want to know more? We’ve got the details tomorrow.