NDP Pledges Support for Trudeau's Liberals Through 2025

Los Angeles/Sept 05, 2024
NRIpress.club/Ramesh/Agary Singh

Canada’s left-wing New Democratic Party (NDP) has terminated its two-and-a-half-year agreement with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s Liberal government, a deal that had sustained the minority government. In a video shared on social media Wednesday, NDP leader Jagmeet Singh announced his decision, accusing the Liberals of being "too weak, too selfish" to continue advocating for Canadians.

The agreement, known as a "supply and confidence" deal, provided the Liberals with the NDP's support during confidence votes in parliament. Singh’s announcement does not necessarily trigger an immediate federal election but increases the chances of Canadians heading to the polls before the planned election in October 2025.

Jagmeet Singh declared:

In a statement, Singh mentioned that a non-confidence vote could be "on the table" for every confidence measure going forward. Losing such a vote in parliament could lead to a general election. "The NDP is prepared for an election,"

The agreement, reached in March 2022, allowed the Liberals to govern as a minority with the NDP’s backing in key votes. In return, the Liberals agreed to support NDP priorities, such as expanding dental benefits for lower-income families and creating a national pharmacare plan.

This was the first formal agreement of its kind at the federal level, differing from a coalition where power is shared between parties. Despite earlier commitments to the deal, the NDP leadership began reconsidering it after a recent government decision to impose binding arbitration during a work stoppage at two major Canadian railways.

Singh accused the Liberals of "letting people down" and said they do not "deserve another chance from Canadians." Trudeau, responding from Newfoundland, expressed confidence in the government’s ability to function in parliament and vowed to continue focusing on delivering for Canadians. He added that he hopes the next election won’t occur "until next fall" to allow more progress on the government’s agenda.

Canadian voters have become increasingly frustrated with issues like inflation and housing affordability. Recent polls reflect this, showing the Liberals trailing the opposition Conservatives by 18 points. Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre criticized Singh’s decision not to push for an immediate non-confidence vote, calling the NDP’s announcement a "stunt." Last week, Poilievre urged Singh to abandon the agreement, arguing that voters did not authorize the NDP to keep Trudeau in power.