everal votes remain in the months ahead, the close outcome suggests the budget is likely to win final approval. Carney welcomed the result, writing on X that it was “time to work together to deliver on this plan – to protect our communities, empower Canadians with new opportunities, and build Canada strong.” He has framed the budget as a strategic effort to shield the Canadian economy from mounting US tariffs. The proposal nearly doubles Canada’s deficit to 78.3 billion Canadian dollars ($55.5bn), with major spending earmarked for countering US trade actions, bolstering defence and expanding housing programs. Carney argues that increased deficit spending is necessary to blunt the economic impact of President Donald Trump’s tariffs on key sectors, including autos, steel and aluminium. With the Liberals holding fewer than half the seats in the 343-member chamber, the government relied on several opposition abstentions from MPs unwilling to trigger an early vote. Recent polling suggested the Liberals would likely remain in power if an election were held. Carney, elected in April on a pledge to push back against Washington’s protectionist policies, continues to face resistance from the Conservative Party. Tory leader Pierre Poilievre denounced the fiscal plan as a “credit card budget,” highlighting concerns over rising public debt. The New Democratic Party also expressed frustration, saying the budget offers too little relief for unemployment, soaring living costs and the national housing crisis. Interim NDP leader Don Davies said the party chose not to block the budget because doing so would plunge the country into an unwanted election amid what he described as an “existential threat” posed by the Trump administration. “Parliamentarians decided to put Canada first,” Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne said after the vote. Public sentiment appears to support stability. A November survey by Leger found that just 20 percent of Canadians favoured an immediate election, while half said they were satisfied with Carney’s leadership.