Senate, Trudeau government locked in test of wills over budget amendments
OTTAWA — A bid by senators to amend the Trudeau government’s budget escalated Wednesday into a test of wills over which parliamentary chamber — the elected House of Commons or the appointed Senate — has the right to decide budgetary matters.
Senators were incensed after the government summarily and swiftly rejected Senate amendments to its budget implementation bill, sending a message back to the upper house that the changes “infringe upon the rights and privileges” of the Commons.
The message echoed Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s contention that the elected chamber has the sole authority and legitimacy to decide budgetary matters.
The message was sent, without debate and with unanimous approval of MPs from all parties in the Commons, less than three hours after the Senate gave final approval to an amended version of the budget bill, deleting provisions that would impose a so-called escalator tax on booze.