The budget speech Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne will deliver on November 4th. This rose-tinged proclamation may raise hopes of a new political alliance after months of clandestine meetings between opposition party leaders and Prime Minister Mark Carney. The budget is expected to set the course for long-term funding priorities by the government including their commitment to health and economic recovery.
Interim NDP Leader Don Davies and Green Party Leader Elizabeth May recently met with Carney to discuss the upcoming budget. Both leaders highlighted the importance of looking closely at the extensive budget document before agreeing to a final deal. They would not tell anyone how they planned to cast their ballots. Their reluctance is emblematic of a larger confusion among opposition parties about what a budget would mean for government stability.
Liberal MPs have voiced strong opinions against the idea of opposition parties toppling the government so soon after the recent election. Local officials decried that move as “idiotic.” They emphasized that forcing the government to the brink of a shutdown over a budget vote only seven months after acknowledging the election would be a grave error. They know that stability is key for their country’s continued progress. This is especially true given the current economic and public health crisis.
The new budget will address urgent priorities that resonate with both critics and advocates. It will be based on prevention and on controlling costs. As the release date approaches, scrutiny will start to ramp up, and both Davies and May need to consider their next moves closely.
