Petition for a Parliamentary Vote of Confidence in the Government of Canada

Canada's parliamentary democracy depends on responsible government, financial accountability, transparency and the ability of elected representatives to hold the government accountable for its decisions.

The current federal government has made significant financial, policy and spending commitments that warrant public scrutiny and meaningful parliamentary examination.

Canadians have a right to understand how public funds are being spent, how major government decisions are made, and whether appropriate safeguards are in place to protect the public interest.

The following matters raise important questions about the government's management, transparency and accountability:

1. Federal debt, deficits and financial responsibility

Budget 2026 projects a federal deficit of $62.3 billion for 2026–27, federal debt of approximately $1.367 trillion, and annual public debt charges of $60.2 billion.

The same budget projects federal debt reaching approximately $1.593 trillion and annual public debt charges reaching $85.5 billion by 2030–31.

While the government projects that the deficit will decline over the forecast period, the overall debt and the cost of servicing it remain substantial financial commitments.

Canadians deserve clear explanations of government spending priorities, borrowing requirements and the long-term financial consequences of these commitments for future generations.

2. Immigration policy and Canada's capacity

The federal government's 2026–2028 Immigration Levels Plan establishes annual permanent resident admission targets of 380,000.

The plan also establishes targets for new temporary resident arrivals, including international students and temporary workers.

Immigration policy has significant implications for housing, healthcare, infrastructure, employment and public services.

Canadians deserve transparent evidence that immigration targets are supported by realistic assessments of the country's capacity, and that population growth is being appropriately balanced with the needs of existing communities.

3. Government transparency and conflict-of-interest safeguards

Public confidence requires appropriate ethical safeguards and transparency surrounding the financial interests, relationships and activities of senior government officials.

The Prime Minister's public ethics disclosures identify a blind trust administered at arm's length, as well as other financial interests and associated conflict-of-interest safeguards.

The Minister of Finance has also disclosed implementing a voluntary conflict-of-interest filter concerning Alto, a federal Crown corporation, following questions about a personal connection with an individual employed by the organization.

These arrangements highlight the importance of public confidence in ethical oversight, appropriate disclosure requirements and safeguards against both actual and perceived conflicts of interest.

Canadians deserve confidence that government decisions are made impartially and in the public interest.

4. Public spending, procurement and major government projects

Major government projects and publicly funded contracts must demonstrate responsible financial management, transparent procurement, measurable progress and clear value for taxpayers.

Several federal initiatives warrant greater scrutiny.

Alto high-speed rail

A response to House of Commons written question Q-1058 disclosed employee incentive payments at federal Crown corporations, including payments reported for Alto. A published analysis of that parliamentary disclosure reports approximately $2.76 million in short-term incentive payments to 134 Alto employees, covering January 1 to July 16, 2025.

Questions have also been raised regarding the Minister of Finance's personal connection to an Alto employee and the conflict-of-interest safeguards established by the Minister.

Canadians deserve transparency regarding the justification for these payments, the performance criteria used, project milestones, oversight arrangements and the management of potential conflicts of interest.

Spaceport Nova Scotia

On March 16, 2026, National Defence announced a ten-year agreement valued at $200 million with Maritime Launch Services for access to a dedicated space-launch pad and associated infrastructure and services near Canso, Nova Scotia.

The government describes the initiative as part of Canada's effort to develop sovereign space-launch capabilities.

Given the substantial public financial commitment, Canadians deserve access to the assessments supporting the agreement, its financial and contractual terms, anticipated benefits, delivery milestones and safeguards in the event of delays or failure to meet obligations.

ArriveCAN

The Auditor General's February 2024 report estimated the cost of the ArriveCAN application at approximately $59.5 million, noting that poor financial records prevented the precise cost from being established.

The audit identified serious deficiencies in contracting, documentation, oversight and accountability, and concluded that the project did not deliver the best value for taxpayer dollars spent.

Canadians deserve transparent reporting on the government's response to these findings, the implementation of corrective measures and any efforts to recover public funds where legally and financially justified.

Federal investments in artificial intelligence

On October 29, 2026, the federal government announced a proposed equity investment of up to $1.6 billion in Toronto-based artificial intelligence company Cohere. This follows an earlier federal investment of up to $240 million announced in December 2024 to support the company's domestic computing infrastructure project.

The government describes the latest investment as a commercial transaction intended to give Canadians an ownership stake in the company's future growth.

Given the significant public financial commitment, Canadians deserve transparency regarding the company's valuation, the terms of the investment, the financial risks assumed by taxpayers, the government's ownership rights, the due diligence undertaken and the performance requirements attached to the investment.

Public investments of this magnitude should be supported by independently verifiable financial assessments, clearly defined conditions and regular public reporting on results.

These examples demonstrate the importance of independent oversight, transparent financial reporting and measurable accountability for publicly funded initiatives.

5. Tax policy and spending priorities

Major tax measures and government spending initiatives should be clearly explained, including their eligibility requirements, intended beneficiaries and expected economic impact.

For example, Budget 2026 announced the government's intention to consult on a proposed Canada Creative Credit. The proposed non-refundable tax credit would, when combined with the Basic Personal Amount, provide tax recognition on up to $45,000 of qualifying net business income derived from original and creative artistic works.

Canadians deserve clear information about who qualifies for new tax measures, how public resources are allocated and whether government priorities reflect the broader economic circumstances and needs of the population.

6. Parliamentary debate and democratic accountability

Meaningful parliamentary debate, opposition scrutiny and the ability of elected representatives to question government decisions are fundamental to Canada's system of responsible government.

Parliament must be able to examine major spending commitments, question ministers, scrutinize legislation and hold the government accountable.

Canadians deserve confidence that these democratic responsibilities are being meaningfully exercised and that government decisions receive appropriate parliamentary scrutiny.

The need for parliamentary confidence

These concerns are not limited to any political party or individual. They relate to the standards of financial responsibility, ethical governance, transparency and accountability that should apply equally to every federal administration.

The government is accountable to the House of Commons, and maintaining the confidence of the House is fundamental to Canada's parliamentary system.

Canadians deserve an opportunity to have the government's record examined openly and directly by their elected representatives.

We, the undersigned citizens and residents of Canada, call upon the House of Commons to:

1. Hold a formal debate and recorded vote on an explicit motion of confidence in the current Government of Canada, allowing elected representatives to publicly demonstrate whether the government continues to command the confidence of the House.

2. Provide greater fiscal accountability, including transparent explanations of federal deficits, debt accumulation, public debt charges, borrowing requirements and long-term spending commitments.

3. Ensure greater transparency in major public expenditures and government contracts, including the financial terms, procurement processes, performance requirements and oversight arrangements associated with federally funded projects and Crown corporations.

4. Establish and disclose clear performance and compensation standards for publicly funded projects and Crown corporations, including the justification for employee and executive incentive payments and the performance measures used to determine them.

5. Ensure appropriate independent conflict-of-interest safeguards, including transparent disclosure of relevant ethical screening arrangements where personal, financial or family relationships could reasonably raise questions about the impartiality of government decisions.

6. Provide meaningful public reporting on major government projects, including expenditures, contractual obligations, progress against milestones, anticipated costs, delays and measurable results.

7. Ensure appropriate accountability and recovery measures where audits, investigations or other established findings identify improper payments, financial losses or failures to meet contractual and legal obligations.

8. Provide transparent explanations of major policy decisions, including immigration targets, tax measures and significant spending commitments, together with the evidence and assessments supporting those decisions.

9. Protect meaningful parliamentary debate and oversight, ensuring elected representatives can effectively scrutinize government decisions, question ministers and hold the government accountable.

10. Respect the outcome of any confidence vote in accordance with Canada's Constitution, parliamentary procedures and established conventions.

11. Disclose the financial terms and accountability framework for significant federal equity investments in private companies, including the proposed $1.6-billion investment in Cohere, with appropriate reporting on valuation, investment conditions, taxpayer exposure, ownership rights, performance commitments and financial returns.

We believe that public money is money entrusted to government by Canadians, and that every government has a responsibility to demonstrate how responsibly it is being managed and spent.

Public confidence in government must be earned and maintained through responsible leadership, transparency, ethical governance and accountability.

This petition is presented without regard to political affiliation and calls for the same standards of accountability that should apply to every government in Canada.