We now know the answer to the age-old question, “when is a confidence vote NOT a confidence vote?”
When you don’t actually vote on it.
We could have been headed for a new election on Wednesday night. The Throne Speech, which is usually considered a confidence vote, needed approval. If all opposition parties voted against it, it would have triggered a new election immediately.
And then, the sleight of hand began.
You see, after people debate a motion, the Speaker will ask if MPs want a “recorded division,” also known as a standing vote on the measure. If no MP asks for one, then the motion is deemed adopted without a vote ever taking place.
That’s exactly what happened on Wednesday, meaning the government continues without anyone having to cast a vote and formally show approval or disapproval of the Throne Speech itself.
The Bloc and the Conservatives hadn’t said how they would vote, but the NDP had said they were going to vote against it.
Now it’s fair to say that none of the parties wants another election right now, but this approach to pass the Throne Speech without taking a vote is not exactly convincing me that our federal government is set up for success.
Which is to say, you can’t raise people’s confidence without being able to pass a single confidence vote.
I’m Paul Martin and that’s what I see looking Beyond the Headlines.
