In a dramatic turn of events just before the budget vote on Monday, two senior Conservative MPs claimed their electronic voting app was malfunctioning. They expressed their intention to vote against Prime Minister Mark Carney's first budget. MPs Andrew Scheer and Scott Reid, the party's House leader and caucus chair, respectively, delayed their votes until after their colleagues had finished voting.

Video footage showed two individuals behind curtains on the Conservative side of the House of Commons during the vote count. However, Scheer's chief of staff stated that neither Scheer nor Reid was among them. As it became clear that the budget would pass, aided by two abstentions from the New Democratic Party (NDP) and two other Conservative MPs not voting, Scheer and Reid informed the Speaker of their desire to vote against the budget but cited technical difficulties as the reason for their delay. The Speaker permitted their late votes.

Despite their opposition to the Liberal budget, Conservative Party leaders are reportedly reluctant to trigger an election so soon after the last one. Polls indicate that Carney is viewed more favorably as a potential prime minister compared to Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre.

The NDP's position on the vote was uncertain, as their MPs remained tight-lipped about their intentions. If Scheer and Reid had not voted, it could have provided the NDP with some leeway to prevent the government from falling on this confidence matter. Scheer's chief of staff explained that he had planned to vote remotely due to a prior meeting on international human rights, which ended shortly before the scheduled vote. However, he was occupied with other matters until the technology failed, prompting him to rush into the Commons.

Reid did not respond to requests for comment. David McLaughlin, a former chief of staff to Brian Mulroney, suggested that the Conservatives may have inadvertently aided the government. "It was a little dicey but they can claim a victory of sorts because whoever was in the House voted unanimously against it," he said.

The last-minute voting drew jeers from Liberal MPs. Public Works Minister Joël Lightbound remarked that Scheer, Reid, and other Conservatives could either support the government in future confidence votes or "perhaps take a walk behind the curtains."

A Conservative source indicated that Poilievre and his team are currently focused on a leadership review scheduled for January, which will determine his future following a disappointing performance in the last federal election.

In the weeks leading up to the vote, the Conservatives had discussions with the NDP and Bloc Québécois regarding potential abstentions to avoid an election. Ultimately, the NDP did not need to abstain, as the budget would have passed based solely on Conservative voting patterns, or lack thereof, despite Poilievre's strong opposition to the $78 billion deficit budget.

Conservative MP Matt Jeneroux, who announced his resignation amid rumors of crossing the floor to the Liberals, was absent from the vote. Another Conservative, MP Shannon Stubbs, was on medical leave and unable to vote remotely due to her condition. Stubbs had undergone serious jaw surgery, which affected her ability to use the facial recognition software required for remote voting. Her office stated that a social media video posted earlier in the day was recorded before her procedure, and she opposes Carney's budget.

Some Conservatives defended Stubbs, with MP John Barlow stating, "No one is more loyal and dedicated to our Conservative team." Poilievre criticized Carney's budget on social media, stating it would increase the cost of living for Canadians, but did not mention the two absent votes.

The Liberals expressed satisfaction with the outcome. Government House Leader Steve MacKinnon stated that "the minority Parliament is working." After the budget passed with a vote of 170-168, Carney praised the MPs who supported the bill, calling it a "great day for Canadians." Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the importance of putting Canada first.