Liberals oust Ontario MP for supporting budget

Liberal Leader Stéphane Dion has expelled former cabinet minister Joe Comuzzi from the party's caucus because he plans to supportthe Conservative government's budget.

"He's not anymore part of the caucus," Dion said Wednesday after a caucus meeting.He said he had spoken withthe Thunder Bay, Ont., MPwho confirmed he would vote for the budget.

Dion said it was parliamentary tradition for MPs to follow party line on confidence votes such as budgets.

"A vote on the budget, like a vote on a throne speech, is a vote of confidence. You cannot vote against the caucus on it."

"He's well aware, after 19 years in the House, of the consequences of what he's doing," Dion said.

Comuzzi hadtold a local newspaperthat he's supporting the budget because it contains funding for a molecular cancer research centre that employs 300 people in his riding.

Comuzzi, 73,will now sit as an Independent, leaving the Liberals with100 MPs, theConservatives with 125, the Bloc Québécois with 50 and the New Democrats with 29. There is one otherIndependent MP and two seats are vacant.

The Liberals and NDP have indicated they will vote against the budget, released Monday.

However,the budget will likely pass — thus avoiding the triggering of an election — because the Bloc has indicated it will back Finance Minister Jim Flaherty's fiscal plan.

Comuzziis not planning to run in the next election. The start of question periodin the House of Commons was momentarily delayed Wednesday asConservative MPs chanted: "We want Joe, we want Joe."

This decision to support the budget was not the first time Comuzzihas taken an open standagainst his party.

Two years ago, under the government of then prime minister Paul Martin, he resignedfrom cabinet over the Liberals' same-sex marriage bill.