In a surprising move that sent ripples through Canadian politics, NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh faced reporters on Thursday after ending the supply-and-confidence agreement his party had forged with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s Liberal government. The decision, which could lead to a federal election sooner than expected, has ignited intense speculation about the future of the minority government.
Singh announced his decision via social media on Wednesday, explaining his frustration over unfulfilled promises from the Liberal side of the 2022 agreement. This pact, initially slated to last until June 2025, had allowed the Liberals to govern with NDP support on confidence votes. In return, the Liberals pledged legislative action on several key NDP priorities such as dental care, rental supplements for low-income tenants, and a temporary increase in the GST rebate.
However, some of these commitments have yet to be fully realized. The much-anticipated Pharmacare legislation is still stalled in the Senate, electoral reform is waiting for final approval in the House, and the promised Safe Long-Term Care Act has yet to be introduced. Singh’s decision to pull the plug on the agreement has raised the specter of political instability, with the prospect of a non-confidence vote threatening to bring down the government when Parliament resumes later this month.
Government House Leader Karina Gould expressed her surprise at the development. Speaking to CBC’s Power & Politics, Gould said, “It was a big surprise,” reflecting the uncertainty now facing Trudeau’s government. Trudeau himself, when questioned about the situation on Thursday, said his government remains focused on delivering on its promises, including the passage of the pharmacare bill, urging the NDP to focus on Canadians rather than political maneuvering.
While Singh’s decision doesn’t necessarily guarantee an immediate election, it places the Liberal government in a precarious position. With only 154 out of 338 seats in Parliament, the Liberals will need to secure support from another opposition party to maintain their hold on power. Without the NDP’s backing, the government’s survival now hinges on its ability to navigate confidence votes successfully.
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, whose party has been surging in the polls, wasted no time in calling for a quick election. “Canadians need a carbon tax election NOW,” Poilievre tweeted, slamming Singh’s move as a “stunt” and urging voters to decide the government’s fate sooner rather than later.
Singh, however, has remained firm. In a media release accompanying his announcement, he stated that the NDP is “ready for an election,” and the party will consider voting non-confidence on a case-by-case basis as the situation develops.
Singh is expected to provide more clarity on the NDP’s next steps during his scheduled media appearance at 11:15 a.m. ET in Toronto.
Source: CBC News
