Parrish may miss budget vote due to bout of appendicitis

[Minstrel Boy]

Parrish is a former Liberal, now independent MP (she's the one who stomped on a GW Bush doll for the cameras, you may remember), and she had signalled she was voting with the government. If she misses, that could be the one vote the Conservatives and BQ need to defeat the budget and force an election. (The other two independents are indicating they will split their votes.)

Though actually, tactically, it may be in the better interest of the Liberals to have an election now, rather than later, as Martin promised, after Gomery tables his report on government corruption. They're topping the Conservatives in the polls, and most Canadians don't want an election right now. Harper would get the blame.


Parrish may miss budget vote due to bout of appendicitis

May 19

OTTAWA (CP) - The uncertainty surrounding Thursday's federal budget vote has taken a twist, with word that an Independent Member of Parliament may not be in the House of Commons to take part.

Canada AM reported Thursday that Independent MP Carolyn Parrish said she has appendicitis and said that she may miss the crucial vote.

"She just told us she's got appendicitis and she's very sick," CTV's Robert Fife reported.

Asked whether she would be in the House of Commons for the vote on which rests the fate of the minority Liberal government, she reportedly said: "I'm not sure."

http://www.canada.com/montreal/montrealgazette/news/story.html?id=f9b27cc7-d3d6-4029-bd38-635a3df538d3