In a surprising political maneuver, NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh has announced that his party will continue to support Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s minority Liberal government, despite his earlier decision to pull out of their supply-and-confidence agreement. The reversal comes just weeks after Singh ended the formal pact, criticizing the Liberals as “too weak” and “too selfish” to stand up for working-class Canadians. Now, Singh finds himself backing Trudeau again in a crucial non-confidence vote, a decision that has drawn sharp criticism from Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre.
The Initial Break: Ending the NDP-Liberal Pact
The NDP’s decision to end the supply-and-confidence agreement in early September was a defining moment in Canadian politics. Singh’s move was a clear signal of frustration with the Trudeau government, which the NDP leader claimed had failed to live up to its promises to Canadians. In a video posted to social media, Singh declared that the Liberals had “let Canadians down” and could no longer be trusted to govern in the interest of the middle class.
The original agreement, signed in March 2022, was designed to provide stability to Trudeau’s minority government, with the NDP promising to support the Liberals on key votes in exchange for progress on important social issues like dental care and pharmacare. But as public dissatisfaction grew over rising costs of living, housing affordability, and inflation, Singh felt the Liberals were no longer delivering for Canadians. His message at the time was clear: the NDP was ready to position itself as an alternative to both the Liberals and the Conservatives in the next election.
The Shift: Singh’s Decision to Support the Liberals Again
Despite his strong words and the end of the formal pact, Singh made a sharp reversal by announcing that the NDP would support the Liberal government in an upcoming non-confidence vote, which could have otherwise triggered an early federal election. This move raised eyebrows, especially given Singh’s recent denunciations of the Trudeau government. The NDP leader framed his decision as one driven by pragmatism, arguing that while Trudeau has failed Canadians, Poilievre’s Conservative Party would be far worse for the country.
“We came to Ottawa to fight for people, not to play Pierre Poilievre’s political games,” Singh stated, emphasizing that the NDP’s goal is to achieve meaningful outcomes for Canadians. “We’re not going to let Pierre Poilievre tell us what to do,” he added, rejecting the Conservative leader’s calls for a “carbon tax election.”
Poilievre, for his part, was scathing in his criticism of Singh’s change of heart. Calling Singh a “fake, a phoney, and a fraud,” Poilievre accused the NDP leader of misleading voters by abandoning the Liberal-NDP deal only to prop up Trudeau’s government once again. “Singh pretended to distance himself from Trudeau, but this was all a lie,” Poilievre said in a tweet, accusing the NDP leader of participating in what he termed a “costly coalition” that continues to raise taxes, including the carbon tax, and drive up the cost of living.
Political Strategy: Why the NDP Stays the Course
Singh’s decision to back the Liberals may reflect the NDP’s broader strategy to avoid an election in the short term. The party is in a precarious financial position compared to the well-funded Conservatives and Liberals. Elections Canada data reveals that in the first half of 2024, the Conservatives raised an impressive $20 million, the Liberals collected $6.9 million, while the NDP trailed far behind with just $2.6 million. Additionally, the NDP’s provincial wings in British Columbia and Saskatchewan are preparing for their own elections, which would stretch the party’s resources even thinner.
In light of these financial challenges, Singh’s decision to keep supporting the Liberal government may be a calculated move to preserve the NDP’s strength ahead of the next federal election. By continuing to work with the Liberals on a case-by-case basis, Singh can still push for the social reforms that are central to the NDP’s platform, while delaying a costly election campaign that the party may not yet be prepared for.
The Backlash: Poilievre Seizes on Singh’s Flip-Flop
Poilievre has been quick to capitalize on Singh’s perceived flip-flop, painting the NDP leader as someone who cannot be trusted. The Conservative leader has used the issue of the carbon tax as a key talking point, arguing that the NDP-Liberal coalition has hurt ordinary Canadians by driving up fuel and food costs. Poilievre has positioned his party as the “common sense” alternative, vowing to eliminate the carbon tax, tackle housing affordability, and restore economic balance if elected.
The upcoming non-confidence vote will likely see the Liberals survive with the support of the NDP and the Bloc Québécois, as Bloc leader Yves-François Blanchet has also stated that he will not back Poilievre’s motion. However, the political dynamics remain volatile as Canadians become increasingly frustrated with the cost of living and other economic challenges.
What’s Next for the NDP?
Singh’s reversal on the Liberals signals that the NDP is still navigating a tricky political landscape, trying to maintain its distinct identity while avoiding the risks of an early election. While Singh has positioned the NDP as the only party fighting for Canadians, his decision to continue supporting Trudeau, at least for now, raises questions about the party’s long-term strategy and how it will differentiate itself from the Liberals in the next election.
With inflation, housing, and the environment continuing to dominate political discourse, the NDP faces the challenge of convincing voters that it is a true alternative to both the Liberals and the Conservatives. Whether this strategy will pay off or alienate the party’s base remains to be seen as Canada inches closer to its next federal election.
