OTTAWA — Defence Minister David McGuinty expressed strong confidence that the Liberal government will successfully pass its fall budget in the current minority Parliament. His remarks come amid concerns from some party members about securing sufficient votes.

Government House Leader Steven MacKinnon recently voiced worries that the budget may not garner enough support in the House of Commons. He also accused Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre of advocating for a Christmas election.

Despite these concerns, McGuinty, speaking to reporters in South Korea, stated he believes the government can “earn the respect and the support” of the House through negotiations. He emphasized the importance of aligning the budget with Canadians' priorities.

Prime Minister Mark Carney is set to unveil his first federal budget on November 4. However, the Liberal Party is currently a few votes short of being able to pass the budget independently. To secure passage, they will need to gain support from Conservative, Bloc, or NDP MPs, or rely on some opposition members to abstain from voting.

The outcome of the budget vote will be crucial for the Liberal government as it navigates the challenges of a minority Parliament.