Pierre Poilievre Remains Non-Committal on Upcoming Federal Budget

UPDATE: As the countdown begins to the Liberal government’s highly anticipated federal budget, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre has declined to confirm whether his party will vote against the legislation. With the budget set to be introduced on October 31, Poilievre insists he must first review the document before making a decision.

“I don’t have telepathic powers to tell you what’s in it,” Poilievre stated in an interview on Rosemary Barton Live, airing Sunday morning. He emphasized the need for a budget that addresses the rising cost of living, saying, “An affordable budget for an affordable living is something that I support.”

The Conservative party has outlined key demands for the budget, including abolishing the industrial carbon tax and limiting the deficit to below $42 billion. When questioned about accepting such a high deficit, Poilievre remarked, “It’s not OK, but it is the disastrous state we’re in after 10 years of Liberal government.” He added, “I would like a zero deficit, but the Liberals have put us in this mess.”

Sources indicate that the Conservative leadership is not looking to trigger an election at this time but remains opposed to voting in favor of the upcoming budget. The likely scenario may involve some of the NDP‘s seven MPs abstaining from the vote, thereby allowing the budget to pass.

Highlighting the stakes, Prime Minister Mark Carney has indicated his readiness to fight an election over the budget if necessary, asserting, “This is not a game. This is a critical moment in the global economy.” Carney expressed 100 percent confidence that the budget will serve the country well.

In a parallel development, interim NDP Leader Don Davies has also withheld judgment on the budget, stating he needs to review it before making any commitments. “Cutting good, family-sustaining jobs at a time when we want to create jobs doesn’t seem right to us,” Davies noted, indicating a desire for a budget that invests in public service.

Both the Conservative and NDP caucuses are debating their strategies regarding the budget vote. Reports suggest that internal discussions are ongoing, with some NDP members likely to abstain from voting, which would allow the budget to pass without opposition.

As the situation develops, the Liberal government will require the support of at least one other party to successfully pass the budget, which is a confidence vote. Without this support, Canada could face another federal election, underscoring the urgency of these negotiations.

With the budget presentation just hours away, all eyes are on how the political landscape will shift in the coming days. The interview with Poilievre will air on Rosemary Barton Live at 10 a.m. ET on Sunday, providing further insights into the Conservative party’s position.