Jagmeet Singh calls off the deal with Liberals, citing failures on corporate greed and workers' rights
NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh has officially ended the supply and confidence deal with the Liberals, a move that had supported the minority government, as per BNN Bloomberg.
Singh announced the decision via Twitter on Wednesday, stating, “The deal is done.” He followed this with a video message where he confirmed notifying Prime Minister Justin Trudeau of the termination.
The deal is done.
— Jagmeet Singh (@theJagmeetSingh) September 4, 2024
The Liberals are too weak, too selfish and too beholden to corporate interests to stop the Conservatives and their plans to cut. But the NDP can.
Big corporations and CEOs have had their governments. It's the people's time. pic.twitter.com/BsE9zT0CwF
Singh criticized Trudeau, claiming, “Canadians are fighting a battle. A battle for the future of the middle class. Justin Trudeau has proven again and again he will always cave to corporate greed.” He further stated that the Liberals “don’t deserve another chance from Canadians.”
Trudeau, responding from Newfoundland and Labrador, emphasized his focus on issues like affordability, housing, and climate change, dismissing political distractions. “I really hope the NDP stays focused on how we can deliver for Canadians,” he said.
The deal between the NDP and the Liberals, established in March 2022, included commitments to NDP priorities like dental care and pharmacare in exchange for NDP support on key votes, such as budgets. Singh did not address the press Wednesday, but a press conference is expected Thursday.
Despite the deal’s termination, the NDP will now evaluate their support for Liberal legislation on a case-by-case basis.
Singh highlighted the threat of cuts from Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre, stating that the Liberals are “too weak, too selfish and too beholden to corporate interests” to effectively challenge the Conservatives.
He declared that Canadians would soon face a choice between Conservative cuts and hope for a united future.
The decision came shortly after Poilievre urged Singh to withdraw his support for the Liberals, aiming to trigger an election. Poilievre criticized Singh’s actions as a “media stunt,” questioning Singh’s stance on a non-confidence vote and the carbon tax issue.
According to the NDP, Singh began working on an exit strategy earlier this summer, finalizing the decision in mid-August. Singh had already filmed his announcement before Poilievre’s Aug. 29 press conference.
Singh expressed his discontent with the Liberals’ decision to impose binding arbitration to end disputes at the nation’s railways, a move he called a “line in the sand.”
NDP labour critic Matthew Green reiterated the party’s role in standing up for workers, especially during challenging economic times. Singh concluded by reaffirming the party’s commitment to addressing affordability issues and improving healthcare, housing, and price regulation.
While many Liberal affordability measures, such as dental care and rental supplements, were NDP priorities, the party’s deal also included a ban on replacement workers during strikes or lockouts in federally regulated workplaces.
Other initiatives like the housing accelerator fund, which aimed to build over 750,000 homes, were part of the agreement.
Despite the deal’s termination, House Leader Karina Gould had expressed confidence that the agreement would continue until its original end date in June 2025.
