2005 Canadian Budget Vote/Confidence Motion (Speaker Milliken Breaks Tie)

Footage from CPAC of the vote on the 2005 amended Canadian budget, approved 153-152 thanks to the affirmative vote of Speaker Peter Milliken. Milliken cited past parliamentary precedent, which follows Speaker Denison’s rule: the speaker should vote for the continuation of debate, which in this case indicated he should vote “yea” so as to allow for further debate until the 3rd reading. As with other budget votes, the bill doubled as a confidence motion.
The Liberals and NDP (who offered the amendments that ensured their votes) supported the measure, while the Conservatives and Bloc Québécois opposed it. The government survived thanks to backing from Independent MPs Chuck Cadman and Carolyn Parrish; Cadman’s role would later generate a scandal after a 2008 report alleged that some Conservatives attempted to bribe the dying Cadman to vote against the government.