Defeat on a Vote of Non-confidence
Under Canadian political convention and the concept of responsible government, senators cannot force the cabinet's resignation by rejecting a bill or passing a non-confidence motion. Only the House of Commons holds such power.
Great Britain's House of Lords, the upper chamber equivalent to the Canadian Senate, provided the precedent in 1850.
The Whig government led by Lord John Russell lost a confidence vote in the upper chamber (169-132) over its policy towards Greece and the policies of Foreign Secretary Lord Palmerston. The House of Commons voted in favour of the government (310-246) and the Whigs remained in office.
The first British parliamentary government to be defeated was Lord North’s cabinet in 1782, after news reached London of the historic defeat at Yorktown to American revolutionaries and their French allies.
Source: The Queen's Government (Sir Ivor Jennings)
QUICK HITS
Responsible government dictates that a cabinet can only stay in office with the support of a majority of MPs in the House of Commons. Otherwise, they resign to make way for an election or another party.
- Parliament can pass a specific motion of non-confidence, as in 2011 when Stephen Harper's government was defeated.
- A specific bill can also be a confidence matter. Being one of the most important pieces of legislation passed every year, the federal budget definitely qualifies.
- A maximum of four days (though not necessarily consecutive) is set aside following the budget for debate and amendments. A series of votes follow. If the nays outnumber the yeas, the government has no choice but to step down.
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