Circumstances

Confidence is a matter of tradition and the circumstances for tabling a motion of censure are not specified in any statute or standing order of the House of Commons. What constitutes a question of confidence in the Government thus varies with the circumstances.

Modalites

Motions of censure do not require a qualified majority. Confidence motions may be (i) explicitly worded motions which state, in express terms, that the House has, or has no, confidence in the Government, or (ii) implicit motions of confidence, i.e. motions traditionally deemed to be questions of confidence, such as motions for the granting of supply, motions concerning the budgetary policy of the Government, and motions respecting the address in reply to the speech from the throne.

Consequences

When a motion of no confidence is adopted by the House of Commons, the head of the Government resigns along with the entire cabinet. Defeat thus usually leads to the calling of a general election. Between 1991 and 2001, no motions of censure were tabled. On the following three occasions, however, the Government declared that a certain vote would be considered as a matter of confidence. In March 1991, it declared that it would consider an opposition motion on health care as a matter of confidence. In September 1991, it declared that it would consider an opposition motion on agriculture as a matter of confidence, and in April 1998, it declared that an opposition motion on the compensation of victims of hepatitis C would be considered as a matter of confidence.