Statement On the End of the Supply-and-Confidence Agreement

I want to comment on NDP leader Jagmeet Singh’s announcement today that he is pulling his party out of the supply-and-confidence agreement with the Government.

Let me start by saying that there are a lot of things I agree with the NDP on. I have always tried to work across the aisle with my NDP colleagues, many of whom I am fortunate enough to call friends. However, by putting an end to the supply-and-confidence agreement, I believe that Jagmeet Singh is putting politics ahead of the best interests of Canadians.

He seems willing to risk a Conservative government to further the interests of his own party. In his announcement, he called the Liberals “selfish”. I would argue it is selfish of Singh to try to politically maneuver in this fashion at a time when both the Liberals and NDP are down in the polls. I expect that the fortunes of the Liberals will improve, given that the economy is growing, and interest rates and inflation are both coming down. However, this political opportunism on the part of the NDP puts many programs that both Liberals and the NDP care about at risk.

Going into the Parliamentary session, I want to stay focused on continuing the important work that our government has already begun. That work includes rolling out new dental care and pharmacare programs, expanding $10-a-day childcare, introducing a school food program, and fighting climate change. These are programs that matter to Canadian seniors and families. Instead of working on improving the economy and getting the cost of living down, Jagmeet Singh seems to be focused on playing politics.

I agree with the Prime Minister’s statement today, in which he urged the NDP to stay focused on helping Canadians, rather than on playing politics. Hopefully all Parliamentarians will remember that it is our job to look out for the best interests of the Canadian people, not our own.