With an MP from the opposition Conservatives defecting to the ruling Liberal Party, the possibility of a midterm Christmas election in Canada has diminished, albeit it has not entirely disappeared.
Prime Minister Mark Carney's party, which is in the minority in the House of Commons, does not seem to have enough votes to approve the budget that was tabled on Tuesday, raising the potential of a snap election. Later this month, that vote—which is regarded as a motion of confidence—is anticipated.
The only Conservative member of parliament from Nova Scotia, Chris d'Entremont, joined the government ranks in the House on Wednesday when he appeared with Carney.

"In the last number of months, I wasn't feeling I was aligned with the ideals of what the leader of the Opposition had been talking about," he stated, placing the blame for his defection on Pierre Poilievre, the head of the Conservative Party.
"This is the time for us to come together as much as possible in the interest of our country," stated Carney.
The Liberals currently have 170 members in the 343-member House, including d'Entremont. To approve the budget, the government will require the backing of at least one opposition party or the abstention of some of its MPs.

Don Davies, the New Democratic Party's (NDP) acting leader, stated that "all options are on the table," including not casting a ballot. There are seven MPs from the NDP.
D'Entremont did, however, also suggest that more Conservative MPs might join him in defecting to the ruling party. Before d'Entremont, only three MPs had switched parties in the previous ten years, making defections uncommon in Canadian politics.

Steven MacKinnon, the government's leader in the House, told reporters in Ottawa on Wednesday, "You know the maths as well as I do," indicating that a Christmas election has not been completely ruled out.
In Canada, a minority administration typically lasts 18 months. Therefore, even if the Carney administration wins the budget vote, elections may still be held the following year. Unless, of course, it gains a majority due to additional defections.