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Why Singh Had to Do It
His confidence deal with Trudeau’s Liberals delivered progressive policies. But no NDP political payoff.
NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh has thrown the first punch of the next federal election campaign, and it landed squarely on Justin Trudeau’s jaw.
Claiming that the Liberals have “let people down” and are “too weak” and “too selfish” to stop the surging Conservatives, Singh cancelled the Supply and Confidence Agreement with the minority Liberal government.
With little advance warning, Singh told Prime Minister Justin Trudeau that he was “ripping up” the agreement that has brought stability to the government since 2022. The deal was set to expire in June 2025.
The timing of Singh’s campaign-style announcement is telling. It comes just a week before the return of Parliament, as well as two important byelections in which the NDP is competitive.
The prime minister’s reaction to Singh’s decision was defensive, if not dismissive. Making clear that he hopes it won’t lead to an election before the fixed date of October 2025, Trudeau had this to say on CTV:
“I’m not focused on politics. I’ll let other parties focus on politics. I’m focused on actually delivering things that Canadians told me this summer they need.”
By comparison to Trudeau’s hike up the high road, Pierre Poilievre waded into the NDP’s news with political elbows high. Calling Singh’s decision to abandon the deal with the Liberals a “stunt,” Poilievre said at a press conference in Nanaimo.
“My message to sellout Singh is this: If you’re serious about ending your costly carbon tax coalition with Trudeau, then commit today to voting for a carbon tax election at the earliest confidence vote in the House of Commons.”
