That was a white-knuckle moment.
The House of Commons just voted on whether to accept the Budget. Unlike in the USA, the Budget vote in Canada is both a Ways and Means vote and a Confidence vote: if it fails, not only is the Budget rejected but also the government is dissolved and we have an immediate federal election. (Continuity of governance is provided by the Head of State, the Governor General acting on behalf of the Sovereign.) If it passes, spending may proceed immediately.
If the vote had been a tie, the Speaker would have cast the deciding vote... and, unlike in the USA, the Speaker is specifically non-partisan, not beholden to any party.
I saw one official abstention, and there was one other person absent from the vote for medical reasons.
Ayes: 170
Nays: 168
The House of Commons just voted on whether to accept the Budget. Unlike in the USA, the Budget vote in Canada is both a Ways and Means vote and a Confidence vote: if it fails, not only is the Budget rejected but also the government is dissolved and we have an immediate federal election. (Continuity of governance is provided by the Head of State, the Governor General acting on behalf of the Sovereign.) If it passes, spending may proceed immediately.
If the vote had been a tie, the Speaker would have cast the deciding vote... and, unlike in the USA, the Speaker is specifically non-partisan, not beholden to any party.
I saw one official abstention, and there was one other person absent from the vote for medical reasons.
Ayes: 170
Nays: 168
--
Rob Kelk
Sticks and stones can break your bones,
But words can break your heart.
- unknown
Boycotting all products from the USA as long as that country's leader continues to threaten to annex my native country.
Government of Canada: How to immigrate to Canada
Government of Canada: Claiming refugee protection (asylum) from within Canada
Rob Kelk
Sticks and stones can break your bones,
But words can break your heart.
- unknown
Boycotting all products from the USA as long as that country's leader continues to threaten to annex my native country.
Government of Canada: How to immigrate to Canada
Government of Canada: Claiming refugee protection (asylum) from within Canada