The NDP is holding a three-day caucus retreat in Edmonton with the avowed focus of enhancing health care, addressing affordability issues, and strategizing for the party’s upcoming national campaign.
“We chose the city of Edmonton because we have a support base here,” Mr. Singh said to reporters Jan. 23.
“We have seen in the past significant support for the provincial New Democratic Party.”
Mr. Singh, along with Edmonton Centre candidate Trisha Estabrooks, engaged in door-to-door campaigning Jan. 22 in an effort to solidify the party’s position in the region ahead of the next election.
Jennifer Howard, Mr. Singh’s chief of staff, highlighted on Monday the party’s intention to review its existing confidence-and-supply agreement with the minority Liberal government. This agreement, which is set to last until 2025, involves the NDP supporting the Liberals on key votes in exchange for progress on significant issues for the NDP.
Since the inception of this deal, the NDP has successfully advocated for the implementation of a federal dental-care program and a temporary increase in the Goods and Services Tax (GST) rebate.
“We are now including our seniors,” Mr. Singh said Jan. 23, referring to the government dental plan that is to roll out in May.
“We will see if it works. And we will expand the program for the third phase. This will include all people who earn less than $90,000. So, we will see.”
Ms. Howard emphasized to The Canadian Press the party’s commitment to leveraging the upcoming budget as an opportunity to further address pressing issues faced by Canadians, particularly in the housing sector.
On housing, Mr. Singh said Jan. 23 that “every solution has to be on the table, that’s what distinguishes us from the Liberals and the Conservatives.”
He mentioned a variety of possible solutions, including not-for-profit housing, cooperative housing, purpose-built rentals, rent-to-own, and student housing specifically to help students.
“Other countries have figured this out but it’s going to take … courage,” he stated.
On grocery prices, Mr. Singh identified “corporate greed” as the main culprit, saying the main grocery store companies in Canada are making “record profits” while Canadians are “struggling.”
“We want the people of Edmonton to know, we want the people of Alberta to know, we hear you when you say the cost of everything is up, and we know one of the major drivers of the cost of groceries in particular is corporate greed,” Mr. Singh said.
