A recent decision in the House of Commons in Ottawa shows something is wrong within Canada香蕉视频直播檚 federal government.
The government香蕉视频直播檚 reply to the throne speech was adopted 香蕉视频直播渙n division香蕉视频直播� in the House of Commons on June 4. This means no recorded vote was held.
However, prior to the vote, Don Davies, interim leader of the New Democratic Party (NDP) had said his party's MPs would vote against the throne speech, while Green Party leader Elizabeth May said she would vote in favour of the plan.
This follows a vote two days earlier, when opposition members amended the reply to the throne speech, calling on the federal government to table an economic update before Parliament breaks for the summer.
The governing Liberals lost that vote in a 166 to 164 decision.
The close vote showed the federal Liberals do not have the support they want within the House of Commons. The June 4 decision was even more uncomfortable.
While Canada香蕉视频直播檚 federal government remains in place after the June 4 vote, the scenario could have played out quite differently. It would have been possible for opposition parties to topple the government in a non-confidence vote, forcing a snap election, just 37 days after the federal election which gave the Liberals under Mark Carney a minority government.
The Liberals won 169 seats, just shy of the 172 needed to hold a majority government. The Conservatives won 144 seats, the Bloc Qu茅b茅cois won 22, the New Democratic Party received seven and the Green Party had one.
The cost of a federal election is not cheap and Elections Canada香蕉视频直播檚 estimate for the cost of the most recent election was $570 million, or $19.79 for every registered elector. This amount includes the conduct of the election and close-out activities, and the reimbursement of election expenses to parties and candidates.
More importantly, the threat of a non-confidence vote shows a weakness or flaw in Canada香蕉视频直播檚 federal government.
Governments are elected to make decisions in the best interests of their constituents. At the federal level, this means the 343 elected members have the task of acting for the good of the country.
However, prior to the June 4 decision, there was some uncertainty as to how the decision on the government香蕉视频直播檚 reply to the throne speech would play out.
While political parties have been a factor in Canada香蕉视频直播檚 federal government since Confederation in 1867, national interests must take precedence over partisan politics.
This year, more than in the past, it is essential that the members of Canada香蕉视频直播檚 federal government work together for the common good of the country.
There are economic challenges, including the possibility of flat growth or a mild recession in Canada. And there are some disturbing international factors, including an uneasy relationship with the United States, Canada香蕉视频直播檚 closest neighbour and largest trading partner.
These are in addition to internal tensions and challenges affecting Canada.
When there are significant internal and external pressures and challenges facing this country, it is important for those in government to respond. The outcomes should be based on making the best possible decisions, not necessarily on following party lines.
The federal Liberals will face other confidence votes in the coming days, and it is possible a future confidence vote could trigger a snap election.
The uncertainty that showed on June 4 has not gone away.
John Arendt is the editor of the Summerland Review.
