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Liberals pass throne speech after narrow House defeat on amendment
The minority Liberal government led by Prime Minister Mark Carney has officially cleared its first major hurdle, with the House of Commons adopting the throne speech Wednesday evening. The move, made without a formal vote, allowed the government to avoid a potential confidence defeat and the prospect of another federal election only after just one month.
The adoption followed a shaky week for the new government, which experienced its first loss in the House when an opposition-backed amendment to the throne speech passed 166 to 164. The motion, tabled by interim Conservative leader Andrew Scheer, called on the government to deliver a spring economic update. It was supported by both the Bloc Québécois and the NDP, leaving the Liberals on the losing side of the vote.
While the amendment was non-binding, the outcome raised questions about the government’s ability to command confidence in a divided Parliament. Carney downplayed the result, saying he would take the House’s request for a fiscal update under consideration.
By allowing the throne speech to be adopted on division, without triggering a recorded vote, the government avoided turning the matter into a formal test of confidence. Had the parties maintained the same voting lines as they had on Scheer’s amendment, the Liberals could have been brought down just weeks after forming government.
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