Canada’s Jagmeet Singh’s New Democratic party pulls support from Trudeau’s govt

In a video message, Singh declared that he was “ripping up” the 2022 agreement between the two parties and criticised Trudeau for failing to effectively challenge the opposition Conservatives.

Polls suggest the Conservatives are well-positioned to win the next federal election, which must take place by October 2025.

Singh defended the NDP’s decision to withdraw support from the Liberal government, pointing to the “even bigger battle ahead” against potential “Conservative cuts” to government programs.

“From workers, from retirees, from young people, from patients, from families – [Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre] will cut in order to give more to big corporations and wealthy CEOs,” Singh stated.

“The fact is, the Liberals are too weak, too selfish and too beholden to corporate interests to fight for people. They cannot be change, they cannot restore the hope, they cannot stop the Conservatives. But we can.”

Conservatives had previously criticised Singh as a “sellout” for his role in the 2022 deal with the Liberals. Last week, Poilievre called on Singh and the NDP to terminate their agreement with the Liberals and initiate a fall election campaign.

While the NDP’s decision does not automatically trigger an election, the party emphasised that it is “ready for an election, and voting non-confidence will be on the table with each and every confidence measure.”

The 2022 deal had ensured NDP support for Trudeau until mid-2025 in exchange for increased social spending. Trudeau, who has been in office since November 2015, appears to be facing growing voter fatigue, a sentiment that seems to have extended to the NDP as well.

Despite securing achievements like a national dental program, the NDP remains at third place in the polls.

A Trudeau aide, speaking before Singh’s announcement, expressed disappointment, saying it “would be a shame if their own weakness and desperation causes them to walk away from a progressive agreement that is delivering for Canadians.”

Jagmeet Singh is expected to address the media on Thursday.

(With inputs from Reuters)