Constituent input led Idlout to abstain from budget vote
Nunavut MP says decision to abstain from Monday’s vote was ‘made together’ with NDP colleagues
Nunavut NDP MP Lori Idlout, seen here speaking in an April file photo, says she abstained from voting on Monday’s federal budget after listening to constituents’ opinions. She added Canadians made it clear they did not want another election. (File photo by Arty Sarkisian)
Lori Idlout says she abstained from voting on the federal budget Monday because she listened to her constituents.
“This was a very difficult decision because I take this very seriously, and it wasn’t that I was being indecisive,” the Nunavut NDP MP said in an interview Tuesday, a day after her abstention helped the Liberal government get its budget through a crucial House of Commons vote.
“It was a critical decision that the NDP and I made together.”
The Liberal minority government’s budget was narrowly approved Monday with 170 MPs voting in favour and 168 against.
Idlout said she chose not to vote after listening to her constituents’ opinions on the budget.
She said they like the plan to build 700 homes in Nunavut, its commitment to support Inuit Nunangat University, the budget’s inclusion of a new $1-billion Arctic Infrastructure Fund, and the $2.8 billion committed to urban, rural and northern Indigenous housing.
The Arctic Infrastructure Fund came with a commitment to fund dual-use infrastructure, which can be used for military and civilian purposes. That would serve both the government’s intention to bolster Arctic security while improving infrastructure for people living there.
“There were things that I also didn’t like, for example cuts to programs for Indigenous Peoples, important programs that they rely on,” Idlout said.
She referred to the end of funding for the Inuit Child First Initiative and Jordan’s Principle at the end of March 2026. Both programs provide funding for food and support for Indigenous children and youths.
When Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne tabled the budget in the House of Commons on Nov. 4, Idlout declined to say then whether she or any other NDP caucus member would abstain, amid widespread media speculation that that would happen.
“We had agreed to consult with as many people as we could,” she said of the NDP’s plan leading up to Monday’s budget vote.
Idlout said another reason she abstained is because Canadians across the country made it clear they did not want to see another election, since the current government was elected in April.
The decision whether to approve a federal budget is considered a confidence vote; had the budget been defeated, it could have triggered another election.
On Monday, all 169 Liberal members voted for the budget, as did Green Party Leader Elizabeth May.
Idlout and fellow New Democrat Gordon Johns, as well as Conservative MPs Matt Jeneroux and Shannon Stubbs, abstained. Every other opposition member voted against the budget.
You mean “I know I wouldn’t survive a vote so I abstained”
Oh geez eh time for a change alright, Nothings changed until the fan hits the roof…
Your turn to cross the floor to liberals, we don’t think you as NDP have a voice for Nunavut.
Please cross the floor to liberals , best thing you can do for us!
Boulder Dash.
This is not our elected person who dint vote,
Bhy bhy and hope you don’t run again next elections as you have your pension set already in house ,
Talking to dummies is not our favorite term who is in them self’s for favoritism as well you learned
Who and how many consulted her to not vote, was she directed by NDP or just a few in “her constituency”?
WHY do you want to know? what’s it to you? Glad she didn’t talk, cause we need this budget in general, we have nothing as a nation…..you do get that right? This is our future for us and the kids! or do you not get it?