Politics over principle is hardly a new story in Ottawa, but Tuesday’s budget vote provided a master class.

For weeks the Conservatives huffed and puffed and threatened to blow the Liberals’ house down over their big spending ways. Conversely, the Bloc Québécois opposed the budget over its lack of spending on seniors. Green Leader Elizabeth May couldn’t support the budget’s boost for fossil fuels, while the NDP grumbled about cuts to the public service.

To add to the intrigue, Conservative MP Chris d’Entremont bolted across the aisle and joined the government, while fellow Tory Matt Jeneroux announced he was resigning his seat … in the spring. The government then survived two confidence votes on opposition motions, thanks to abstentions, and everyone went home for a weeklong break prior

See Full Page