Jagmeet Singh Says NDP Will Support Liberals in Upcoming Non-Confidence Vote
Ottawa: In a surprising turn of events, NDP leader Jagmeet Singh has announced that his party will back the Liberal government in the upcoming non-confidence vote, ensuring that Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s government remains in power. This comes after Singh’s recent withdrawal of support from the Liberal-NDP supply and confidence agreement, a move that had sparked speculation about a potential federal election.
The non-confidence vote, brought forward by Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, aimed to force an early election. However, with both the NDP and Bloc Québécois confirming they will vote against the motion, the attempt by the Conservatives is expected to fail.
“We came here to work for the people, not to play Poilievre’s political games,” Singh said during a press conference. He accused Poilievre of planning to cut essential social services, including pensions and healthcare, if the Conservatives gained power. Despite his earlier criticism of Trudeau, Singh stressed that Poilievre’s policies would be “even worse” for Canadians.
Singh also reiterated his commitment to becoming the next prime minister, stating that his party is preparing for the next election by building a “movement” to offer Canadians a clear alternative. The decision to support the Liberals, according to Singh, will be made on a case-by-case basis moving forward.
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre responded sharply to Singh’s decision, calling him “a fake, a phoney, and a fraud” in Parliament. He accused Singh of misleading Canadians by appearing to distance himself from the Liberals, only to “tape back together” their alliance.
While the Bloc Québécois has also voiced concerns over Trudeau’s government, leader Yves-François Blanchet confirmed his party would not support the Conservative motion. He clarified, however, that the Bloc’s future support would depend on the government meeting specific demands, including increased pensions for seniors and stronger protection for supply-managed industries.
The upcoming non-confidence vote, now likely to fail, marks a significant moment in Canadian politics as parties gear up for future elections and navigate a minority government.