OTTAWA — As former prime minister Joe Clark learned the hard way in 1979, confidence votes can sneak up on you.

Clark’s government fell that year in a surprise confidence vote that he lost by just six votes. Three Conservatives were out of the country at the time, and the Social Credit party, which was never elected federally again, abstained.

Confidence votes include budget matters and direct motions like the one Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre plans to introduce next week, simply stating the House has no confidence in the government.

With the supply and confidence agreement ripped up, there are a few ways the Liberals could fall.{ai:summary}<p>Former Prime Minister Joe Clark's government collapsed in 1979 due to a surprise confidence vote, lost by a narrow margin. This situation serves as a reminder of the unpredictability of such votes, particularly as Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre plans to introduce a similar motion soon. </p><p>#politics</p>

Confidence vote chicken: Four ways the Liberal government could fall or hang on

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