Konservative und Liberale arbeiten hinter den Kulissen an Vereinbarungen, während der Premierminister die Wahlgespräche herunterspielt

Liberals and Conservatives are working out a path that could keep the government in power, sources tell CBC News, while Prime Minister Mark Carney continues to downplay the likelihood of a spring election.

Asked on Monday whether an election was coming, Carney demurred.

“It’s time to do a lot more work. We’ve got a lot of work to do,” he said on his way into West Block.

But behind the scenes, Liberals and Conservatives have been working on potential deals that could end a parliamentary gridlock and potentially avoid a second federal election in 12 months, three senior Liberal and Conservative sources said.

Such deals would leave space for some concessions for the Opposition, the sources said. CBC News is not naming the sources because they were not authorized to discuss internal discussions.

Carney’s Liberals are still three seats shy of a majority, and in the last parliamentary sitting, faced challenges finding support to pass their legislative agenda.

But this sitting may be different. Last Wednesday, Carney and Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre sat down for a one-on-one meeting. Afterward, the prime minister said on social media, “this is an important time to be working together, and to pass the legislation Canadians are counting on.”

Poilievre said he pushed for lower taxes, a smaller deficit, and “policies to make Canada affordable, safe and self-reliant.”

Two sources said the tone was more conciliatory on both sides, reflecting a change from the fall sitting. 

Liberals had been privately expressing concerns over how they would pass the Budget Implementation Act, which is expected to be a confidence vote, later this sitting. Losing that vote would likely trigger an election.

In the conversation between Carney and Poilievre, the prime minister opened the door to potential amendments to the omnibus bill, which was tabled last fall and is more than 600 pages long. It is currently being studied at committee. 

What those amendments could look like is still in the early phases of development, two sources said. Conservatives are expected to oppose a segment of the bill that allows a cabinet minister to exempt select corporations from some laws.

There are also ongoing discussions about C-9, a justice bill which proposes new criminal code offences including one that would make it a crime to intentionally promote hatred against identifiable groups in public using certain hate- or terrorism-related symbols. 

The bill was being held up by Conservatives at the justice committee amid concerns from some religious groups that the bill would criminalize some religious texts and worship. 

A source said that one option could include tabling another bill with some elements of C-9 included, giving parliamentarians an ability to fast-track legislation that has widespread support, while continuing to debate more controversial elements. 

Sources say parties are trying to hammer out an agreement on that bill. A committee meeting scheduled for Monday was cancelled last minute — so last minute that the catering order had been called in, and MPs were seen eating soup in the committee room before leaving.

Another bill that was discussed for potential amendment was C-8, a cybersecurity bill meant to protect critical infrastructure. 

Every party needs to work together as adults. Enough is enough.

This is how a minority should work.

This also gives Carney the device he needs to call an election early if the Conservatives don’t make this work as agreed upon.

Well this is refreshing. I wonder if Poileve was told at the review the optics of him trying to take down the government in time of crisis wasn’t working for them.

I won’t look a gift horse in the mouth.. Good to see. It won’t last but perhaps it will get us through to the Fall.

Drop gun but back.

This is good.

I don’t honestly think anyone wants another federal election any time soon.

The best thing that both the LPC and CPC can do for Canadians now is move along the stuff they both agree on now and help Canadians immediately. We can worry about the other stuff later.

How long does Carney actually want to be PM?

PP needs time to gain broader public trust and Carney needs support to deliver some wins. But being PM may have been something Carney pursued more out of duty and service than raw political ambition. He may then be happy to pass the torch on in a few years – and may also be fine with that’s a Conservative.

When Liberals and Conservatives work together, the bankers are REALLY happy. Working taxpayers will get railroaded by this agreement.

Remember the „fiscal conservative“ is all about enriching the political donor class and nothing else.

The last thing we need is to follow the British path and start playing Musical Prime Ministers. Carney won the election, that earned him time to put his ideas into motion. 

I’m so confused, I was told by a brigade of redditors that there were a hundred different CPC MPs who can’t stand Poilievre and planned to cross the floor right before, during, and after the CPC convention in order to inflict maximum pain before delivering the Liberals a majority government. Are you telling me that was all bullshit?

See do more of this. Is it hear carney is going to try to pull another election just for a majority to get carte Blanche ill be beyond pissed. This while not major headline grabbing will get things done. Another election just to gain more power is just a selfish move to extend the LPCs reign on the govt.

Put forward good legislation that serves Canadians and it will get passed.

I hope all my Liberal voter friends are enjoying their new PC government soon to be propped up by little PP’s CPC.

Remember that supply and confidence agreement between the NDP and Liberals that got us dental care, the beginning of national pharmacare and the roll out of affordable childcare? What were we thinking?! Government providing essential services? Outrageous! Good thing that’ll be dead and buried now that we’ve taken this right turn. Bring on the defunding! /s

You’ve made your bed now. Enjoy laying in it.