Independent MP Carolyn Parrish is in pain but will make the vote 'if she has to crawl,' a spokesman said Thursday.
Brian MacDonald, a spokesman at her Mississauga constituency office, said Ms. Parrish is in Ottawa and, although she is in pain, plans to attend the Thursday's crucial budget vote.
"You can quote me on this, she says she will make the vote if she has to crawl," Mr. MacDonald said.
Concern had emerged about Ms. Parrish's health after she told Canada AM early Thursday that she was ill, throwing doubt on her ability to make it to the House.
The development is just the latest in a series of turns in the political drama that has unfolded in recent weeks in Ottawa.
Ms. Parrish has said she would side with the minority Liberals on Thursday's vote, which could trigger the downfall of the government if the Opposition Conservatives and Bloc Québécois efforts prove successful.
The Liberals and NDP combined have 151 seats versus the 152 for the Conservatives and Bloc.
With Parrish's vote, the two sides would be tied, leaving the fate of the government in the hands of two other independents Chuck Cadman and David Kilgour. Reports have suggested that Mr. Cadman, based on his constituents' opposition to a snap election, was leaning toward siding with the Liberals, while Mr. Kilgour has said he won't make up his mind until just before entering the House of Commons.
A spokesman for Prime Minister Paul Martin said the PMO's office had no direct word on Ms. Parrish's health and called speculation that she might not be available for the early evening vote speculation.
“We're not commenting on that stuff,” spokesman Marc Roy said. “It will be clear this evening if she votes or not and there's plenty of time until then, speculating in the meantime gives absolutely no purpose whatsoever.”
Earlier this week, former Conservative Belinda Stronach shocked the nation with news that she was crossing the floor to the Liberals to become a cabinet minister.
That was followed Wednesday by more drama on Parliament Hill when Liberal Jim Karygiannis was rushed to hospital complaining of chest pains. He later received a bill of clean health and is expected to be in the House for Thursday's vote.
