Blanchet: Bloc ultimatum stands as Liberals vote against seniors motion [Video]

OTTAWA –

Bloc Quebecois Leader Yves-Francois Blanchet says his ultimatum to the government stands, after the Liberals voted against a motion seeking money to boost seniors’ benefits on Wednesday.

Blanchet has given the government until Oct. 29 to help enact a pair of bills or risk an election before the new year. Opting against taking a big step towards passing one of them prompted new questions about how soon the Liberals could lose a key dance partner in this unstable minority Parliament.

What the Bloc was seeking, through their only opposition day opportunity for months, was for the government to “take the necessary steps to ensure that a royal recommendation is granted as soon as possible” to a private member’s bill known as Bill C-319, which proposes a 10 per cent increase to Old Age Security (OAS) payouts for seniors ages 65 to 74.

The non-binding motion still passed by a vote …