CTV reports that independent MP David Kilgour has announced his intention to vote with the Conservatives in opposing C-48, the budget amendment and the confidence motion that could collapse the Liberal government:

The combined votes of all Liberal and NDP MPs, as well as Independent MP Carolyn Parrish, adds up to 152 -- the same number as the Conservatives and Bloc Quebecois.

That leaves Independent MPs David Kilgour and Chuck Cadman to swing the result.

Just hours before the vote, Kilgour pledged publicly to vote for the budget, but against the additional spending package. Cadman, however, is still holding his cards very close to his chest.

Watch for abstentions. Those wild cards will come out, if they exist, for the C-48 vote and may well determine who outfought whom in this political battle. If only Cadman abstains, Martin loses.

UPDATE: C-48 vote just complete -- Cadman voted with the Liberals. The Liberals just survived the no-confidence vote.

UPDATE II: Went to the Speaker on a 152-152 tie, and the Speaker as expected voted to support the government, relying as he said on "tradition".

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» The day of rfeckoning in Canada from The Herkimer Diaries
Read the analyses of the Canadian situation. The articles This is it! by Monte Solberg, For Martin and Stronach, It's Lose-Lose by David Frum, The smoking audiotape by Andrew Coyne, also Proof there are no more rules by him, A Constitutional Coup by ... [Read More]

Tracked on May 20, 2005 12:07 AM

» The day of reckoning in Canada 2nd. post from The Herkimer Diaries
Read the analyses of the Canadian situation. The articles This is it! by Monte Solberg, For Martin and Stronach, It's Lose-Lose by David Frum, The smoking audiotape by Andrew Coyne, also Proof there are no more rules by him, A Constitutional Coup by ... [Read More]

Tracked on May 20, 2005 12:10 AM