Liberal Leader Stephane Dion said Tuesday the federal budget "touches everything but accomplishes very little," but that his party would not force an election over the document.
"Under the circumstances, I don't see enough that would justify that we precipitate an election that Canadians do not want -- for now," he told reporters.
He said the budget included proposals that had been pushed by his own party, including more investment in infrastructure and public transit, and help for the automotive sector.
But he added that the budget did not seem to go far enough in many areas.
"It's a very modest budget that is one-mile wide and one-inch thick -- a budget that touches everything and accomplishes very little," said Dion.
He did not specify whether the Liberals would vote yes to the budget or abstain from voting, as the party has done when confronted with past confidence motions.
Liberal foreign affairs critic Bob Rae, who will try to win a seat in Parliament in one of four byelections set for March 17, also said it wasn't necessary to topple the government on the budget.
"With money for infrastructure and research and all those proposals, it's pretty hard to say, 'Well, I object to that,'" Rae told CTV's Mike Duffy Live. "Will there be a crisis over this budget? I would be very surprised."
NDP Leader Jack Layton said his party would not support the document because it gives too much away in corporate tax cuts.
"It's a budget that really leaves working families behind," Layton told CTV News.
"When you look at the figures, six times as much money is being given away in corporate tax cuts as is being invested in programs."
Bloc Quebecois Leader Gilles Duceppe also said his party wouldn't support the budget, just moments after it was unveiled by Finance Minister Jim Flaherty.
But without the Liberals voting against the document, it's likely to pass when it comes to a House of Commons vote on March 5.
The budget also included measures to help Canada's major urban centres, including money for crumbling roads and bridges, and making the gas tax fund for infrastructure permanent.
The gas tax fund is expected to be worth $2 billion in 2009.
"I was delighted to see the gas tax made more permanent, and I was also pleased to see more money for affordable housing -- not as much as I would have liked, but it's a start," said Vancouver Mayor Sam Sullivan.
He also said he appreciated the $400 million devoted to hiring 2,500 new police officers in Canada's provinces and territories.
"We have been looking for a contribution to our police departments to fight organized crime and violence, and I know that will be very well received here in Vancouver and across the country."
