Parties reach agreement on support in confidence votes and four budgets in return for action on certain NDP priorities
OTTAWA – The Liberals and New Democrats have reached an agreement that would keep Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s government in power until the end of the current Parliament in 2025, in exchange for government action on longstanding NDP priorities.
It is a “confidence and supply” agreement that goes into effect immediately, Trudeau said. In an agreement similar to the one the BC NDP struck with the Green Party in 2017, the opposition party agreed to support the government on confidence motions and budget or appropriation votes. As a result, four budgets will be agreed to by 2025 whilst avoiding an election.
Trudeau said: “Nobody benefits when increasing polarization, dysfunction, and obstruction dominate our Parliament. That’s why we announced an agreement with the NDP that will make sure Parliament delivers real results for Canadians.”
“This Supply and Confidence Agreement will improve the way we do politics so we can deliver good jobs, climate action, more affordable housing and child care, a stronger middle class, and a better, more prosperous future for everyone.”
Conservative party Leader Candice Bergen, however, attacked the deal as a “Justin Trudeau power grab.”
“Canadians woke up this morning to the fact that they’ve been hoodwinked and they’ve been deceived by their prime minister,” she said Tuesday morning. He is desperately clinging to power. His No. 1 goal, as we’ve seen over the course of the last six years, is always to do what’s best for him, not to do what’s best for Canadians.”
The party issued this statement: “The NDP-Liberal coalition is nothing more than a callous attempt by Trudeau to hold on to power.
“Canadians did not vote for an NDP government. This is little more than backdoor socialism. Trudeau is truly polarizing politics which is what he likes.
“This is an NDP-Liberal attempt at government by blackmail. Nation-building is replaced by vote-buying; secret deal-making over parliamentary debate; and opportunism over accountability.
“With rising inflation, out-of-control cost of living, and national unity at stake, Trudeau knows he is losing the confidence of Canadians.
“His answer is to stay in power at all costs including implementing the even harsher and more extreme policies of the NDP. “If this NDP-Liberal coalition stands, Canada is in for a very rough ride.”
At a press conference after agreeing to the NDP link, the prime minister cited the global and economic instability caused by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine as well as the results of last September’s federal election as catalysts for the newly negotiated arrangement. “We’re different political parties, we stand for different things. But where we have common goals, we cannot let our differences stand in the way of delivering what Canadians deserve. That’s why we’re taking this step.”
The Liberals hold 159 of the 338 seats in the House of Commons. The NDP has 25 MPs.
“The message from Canadians was as clear as the mandate they gave Parliament: work together to put people and families first, deliver results and build a better future,” he said. What this means is that during this uncertain time, the government can function with predictability and stability, present and implement budgets and get things done for Canadians.”
“In the areas where there is not agreement, we will continue to do the things that the Liberal Party was elected to do,” he said. “And we’ll look for support from other parties as necessary as we move forward.”
NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh said his party was “using our power to get help to people.”
“In this time, everyone I talk to, people are telling me that they need help now. And they expect politicians to deliver that help. And that’s exactly what we’re doing,” he said.
Called “Delivering for Canadians Now, A Supply and Confidence Agreement,” the two parties have agreed that over the next three years the government will:
- Launch a new dental care program for low-income Canadians. Starting with under 12-year-olds in 2022, expanding to under 18-year-olds, seniors, and persons living with disabilities in 2023, and then full implementation by 2025, with no co-pays for anyone earning less than $70,000 annually.
- Continue progress towards a universal national pharmacare program passing a ‘Canada Pharmacare Act’ by the end of 2023, and then tasking the National Drug Agency to develop a national formulary of essential medicines and a bulk purchasing plan by the end of 2025;
- Advance a series of measures aimed at affordability and housing costs including a ‘Homebuyers Bill of Rights’ and an ‘Early Learning and Child Care Act’;
- Proceed with policies and programs meant to target climate change;
- Ensure supports for workers are implemented including supporting labour unions and starting the 10-day paid sick leave policy imminently;
- Invest more in Indigenous reconciliation including supporting residential school survivors;
- Improve fairness in the tax system by addressing profits made by big banks during the pandemic; and
- Eliminate barriers to democratic participation by exploring ways to expand how people can vote such as improving mail-in balloting and potentially allowing a three-day voting period.
The Liberals have agreed to launch a new dental care program for middle and low-income Canadians as demanded by the NDP .
“We’ve agreed to work together,” said Prime Minister Justin Trudeau during a news conference Tuesday morning.According to a release from the Prime Minister’s Office detailing the grounds of the agreement, the proposed dental program would start with those under 12-years-old in 2022, then expand to under-18-year-olds, seniors and persons living with a disability in 2023. Full implementation would be rolled out in 2025.
In addition, the agreement calls for the passage of the Canada Pharmacare Act by the end of 2023 to direct the National Drug Agency to develop a national formulary of essential medicines and a bulk purchasing plan by the end of the agreement.
As for housing, another key issue for the NDP, the government has agreed to extend the rapid housing initiative by another year, and to look at changing the definition of affordable housing in order to create new, affordable housing for vulnerable people and populations.
Jagmeet Singh said: “While you and your family are forced to pay more on your weekly grocery bill or to fill up at the pumps, the CEOs of huge grocery chains, big oil companies and other big box stores have made record profits during the pandemic,” said Singh. “It’s not okay that Canadians are struggling to put food on the table or drive their kids to school while the ultra-rich are getting richer. The Liberals and Conservatives have repeatedly refused to force huge corporations to pay their fair share. New Democrats will keep fighting to close tax loopholes for big corporations and put a wealth tax on the ultra-rich so we can invest in solutions that will make life more affordable for all Canadians.”
“While big corporations make record profits, half of Canadian families are unable to keep up with the cost of living. People expect the government to take action to help them and their families. Instead, the Liberals are standing by and leaving Canadian families to figure it out on their own,” said Singh. “New Democrats want to tax excessive profits and redistribute that money to Canadians. This will help people deal with the rising cost of living so they can take care of themselves and their families. By taking action, the government can get some of people’s hard-earned money back into Canadians’ pockets.”