Canada gov’t could avoid confidence vote with slim mini budget, says source

Centre Block on Parliament Hill in Ottawa

OTTAWA (Reuters) – A Canadian mini budget later this year might contain no spending measures, an unusual move that would deprive the opposition of another chance to topple Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, a source familiar with the matter said on Thursday.

Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland has not yet taken a final decision on what the mini budget will contain, said the source, who requested anonymity given the sensitivity of the situation.

A slimmer than normal fall budget would avoid a parliamentary vote, potentially giving Trudeau more time to improve his popularity with voters before an election that must be held by late next year.

(Reporting by David Ljunggren, editing by Caroline Stauffer and Chizu Nomiyama)