Lanark-Frontenac-Kingston MP Scott Reid joins Andrew Scheer in late dash to oppose federal budget, citing electronic voting issues

Lanark–Frontenac–Kingston MP Scott Reid was among the last MPs to rush into the House of Commons on the night of Monday, Nov. 17, arriving just in time to vote against the Liberal government’s budget alongside fellow Conservative MP Andrew Scheer. Both MPs said they experienced technical difficulties while attempting to vote virtually.

Reid did not respond to a request for comment about why he arrived moments before the vote closed, or why he was trying to vote electronically when he was in the House personally.

The budget motion passed 170 to 168, with two NDP MPs and two Conservative MPs abstaining. Budget votes are treated as confidence matters, meaning the government needed the win to avoid triggering another election.

Prime Minister Mark Carney told reporters it was “looking good” as he headed back into the House ahead of the vote. Green Party Leader Elizabeth May also voted yes, saying she made her decision after Carney committed during question period to meeting Canada’s Paris climate targets.

Carney’s first budget includes billions in new spending aimed at supporting the economy during the ongoing trade war, along with cuts to the public service the government says will save billions.