Pierre Poilievre could buy more time if Liberals gain a working majority

Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre is reluctant to call a spring election, and the recent floor crossing that might give Prime Minister Mark Carney a working majority could provide him extra time to regroup.

Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre and his team have been weighing the risks of a spring election while watching recent floor crossings. A recent defection raised fears among Conservatives, but the article reports that handing Prime Minister Mark Carney a working majority could give Poilievre breathing room. Opposition parties are reported to have reasons for avoiding an early vote. The coming confidence test on the Budget Implementation Act is shaping strategic moves across parties. Key developments: - Poilievre's team feared another floor crossing last Friday and the article says losing a member to the Liberals could hand Prime Minister Mark Carney a working majority. - None of the opposition parties want a spring election, and each has political reasons for withholding support. - The article reports the Liberals reversed a promise to Green Party Leader Elizabeth May by approving a subsidy tied to Alberta Premier Danielle Smith to secure a budget vote. - Interim NDP leader Don Davies said the party will not help pass the upcoming Budget Implementation Act confidence vote and may follow last fall's approach, with some MPs abstaining; the article notes a permanent leader might take a different approach. - The Bloc Québécois has voted non-confidence in the government and the article indicates it appears unlikely to prop up the government under current conditions. - The Conservatives previously offered unanimous consent for some government bills and Poilievre has signaled willingness to work with the prime minister on shared priorities, even as party figures publicly criticize the Liberals. Summary: If the Liberals obtain a working majority as described in the article, that outcome could ease pressure on Pierre Poilievre and give his party time to organize and address internal challenges. The immediate next test is the upcoming confidence vote on the Budget Implementation Act; parties have stated differing positions and the outcome is undetermined at this time.