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National Observer
19 hours ago
- Politics
- National Observer
NDP will vote against throne speech — if defeated, a snap federal election is possible
New Democrat MPs are set to vote against the government's throne speech, interim NDP Leader Don Davies said Wednesday. After a caucus meeting, Davies said that 1.2 million Canadians sent New Democrats to Parliament to advocate for working families and those priorities aren't reflected in the speech. Davies said the speech offers few details about the government's plans for healthcare and housing. Government House leader Steven MacKinnon has said the vote on the throne speech is a confidence matter, which means it's the first real test of Prime Minister Mark Carney's government. If the government loses a confidence vote, it's defeated — which could lead to a snap election. Davies said that while Canadians don't want an election right now, his party is taking a "principled approach." "It's a clear message that this throne speech is not a worker-centric throne speech," he said. "We can't support a throne speech that so badly misses the mark in terms of the economic and social policies that people need in this country." New Democrat MPs are set to vote against the government's throne speech, interim NDP Leader Don Davies said Wednesday. If the federal government loses a confidence vote, it's defeated — which could lead to a snap election. MacKinnon said before the Liberal caucus meeting on Wednesday that the caucus is confident the throne speech will pass. He would not say if his party has secured the support of other parties, referring questions directly to those parties. He said that while the Liberals have a minority government, they also have a mandate to deliver for Canadians. The Conservatives have not said how the party will vote. In the House of Commons Wednesday, during a debate on the reply to the throne speech, Green Party Leader Elizabeth May said she will vote in favour of the speech. May said she agreed with the major theme of the speech — building a stronger Canada — but said it lacked details and only mentioned climate change in "passing references." The Liberals lost a vote Monday evening when opposition members successfully amended the reply to the throne speech to call on the government to table an economic update before Parliament breaks for the summer. That vote was not a matter of confidence. Government whip Mark Gerretsen insisted that nothing went wrong with that vote, despite the Liberals losing it 166 to 164. The throne speech focuses heavily on building up the Canadian economy by fast-tracking projects the government considers to be in the national interest, and moving faster to build new homes. Opposition party leaders say the speech is vague, relies too much on slogans and doesn't explain how the government plans to scale back its spending. The minority Liberal government has 169 MPs, including House Speaker Francis Scarpaleggia — who does not vote, except in the event of a tie. Without a majority, the Liberals have to work with other parties to pass legislation and survive confidence motions. The NDP, which had a supply-and-confidence agreement with the previous Liberal government, has said it will not enter a formal arrangement to support Carney's government. The NDP was reduced to seven MPs in the recent election but could still hold the balance of power.
Hamilton Spectator
2 days ago
- Business
- Hamilton Spectator
Opposition MPs add call for a spring economic update to throne speech
OTTAWA - Government whip Mark Gerretsen insists nothing went wrong with a throne speech sub-amendment vote that now calls on the government to table an economic update before Parliament breaks for the summer. The Liberals were defeated 166 to 164 Monday evening after four Liberal MPs did not vote because of paired abstentions. 'Paired abstentions' happen when parties agree to have a member sit out a vote because someone from another party is not able to attend. The sub-amendment, tabled by interim Opposition leader Andrew Scheer, adds a passage to the throne speech that calls for some kind of spring economic update. It also says that update should include the government's plan to 'unleash Canada's economic potential' and explain how it will respect provincial jurisdiction and Indigenous rights. Government House leader Steven MacKinnon says this is a non-binding motion and the vote that really matters is the confidence motion tomorrow on adopting the throne speech. This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 3, 2025. Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
Winnipeg Free Press
2 days ago
- Business
- Winnipeg Free Press
Opposition MPs add call for a spring economic update to throne speech
OTTAWA – Government whip Mark Gerretsen insists nothing went wrong with a throne speech sub-amendment vote that now calls on the government to table an economic update before Parliament breaks for the summer. The Liberals were defeated 166 to 164 Monday evening after four Liberal MPs did not vote because of paired abstentions. 'Paired abstentions' happen when parties agree to have a member sit out a vote because someone from another party is not able to attend. The sub-amendment, tabled by interim Opposition leader Andrew Scheer, adds a passage to the throne speech that calls for some kind of spring economic update. It also says that update should include the government's plan to 'unleash Canada's economic potential' and explain how it will respect provincial jurisdiction and Indigenous rights. Government House leader Steven MacKinnon says this is a non-binding motion and the vote that really matters is the confidence motion tomorrow on adopting the throne speech. This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 3, 2025.
RNZ News
6 days ago
- General
- RNZ News
David Seymour takes the reins as deputy prime minister
David Seymour has taken over from Winston Peters as deputy prime minister. A ceremony marking the ACT leader's transition took place at midday at Government House in Auckland. Seymour has vowed to keep speaking freely as he takes over the role, at the half-way point of the current government. He told RNZ the transition - in most respects - would be "business as usual", adding, "I've actually been the acting prime minister several times and we're all still here, so don't worry". Watch the press conference at the conclusion of the swearing-in, around 12.15pm. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
Hamilton Spectator
27-05-2025
- Politics
- Hamilton Spectator
Hoarding covering Sir John A. Macdonald statue at Queen's Park to be removed
TORONTO - Hoarding that has covered a statue of Sir John A. Macdonald on the grounds of the Ontario legislature for the past five years is set to soon be removed. The statue of Canada's first prime minister has been boxed up since 2020, when it was vandalized. The monument was one of many to be targeted across the country amid anti-racism protests and as Canadians grappled with the history of residential schools. Macdonald is considered an architect of the country's notorious residential school system that took Indigenous children from their families in an effort to assimilate them. Progressive Conservative and Liberal members of a non-partisan board of the legislative assembly agreed earlier this month on a motion to remove the hoarding after the statue is cleaned. Speaker Donna Skelly says the statue should be ready this summer and she welcomes both supporters and protesters to come to Queen's Park. Government House Leader Steve Clark says a legislative committee has been tasked with looking at how to respect Indigenous representation at Queen's Park amid a project to rehabilitate the building. This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 27, 2025.
