MPs agree to fast-track study of budget bill, with confidence vote to follow

Government House leader Steven MacKinnon rises in the House of Commons, in Ottawa, Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld

OTTAWA — MPs have agreed to fast-track a committee study of the government’s main budget bill, setting the stage for what could be a final vote on the legislation by the end of the month.

Government House leader Steven MacKinnon introduced a motion after question period today that lays out timelines for the finance committee to make amendments.

MPs have until noon on Feb. 19 to submit proposed amendments for the committee to consider.

The committee must hold its clause-by-clause deliberations on the bill by Feb. 23 and its final report to the House on the legislation is due Feb. 25.

The House of Commons will be able to begin its final debate on that report the next sitting day, and the final House vote on the bill can happen once that debate concludes.

The vote on the bill will be a vote of confidence for the minority Liberal government.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 13, 2026.

David Baxter, The Canadian Press