Singh Says Early Election ‘More Likely,’ Mum on Government Support

NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh speaks during a press conference, in Toronto on Sept. 5, 2024. Christopher Katsarov/The Canadian Press

A day after breaking his deal with the Liberals, NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh said an early election is “more likely” but avoided saying whether he still has confidence in the government.

Singh repeatedly stated during a Sept. 5 press conference that he broke his alliance due to the Liberals’ unwillingness to tackle “corporate greed.” He mentioned Ottawa’s recent intervention in the railway labour dispute as an example.

“Justin Trudeau has proven again and again that he will never stand up to the elites, that he will always cave to corporate greed, and Canadians pay for it every time we pay our bills, buy our groceries, or pay the rent,” he said.

When asked if he still has confidence in the government, Singh would only say that the deal is off and the NDP will consider each vote separately.

The NDP’s supply and confidence agreement with the Liberals had been in place since March 2022. The NDP saw many of its priorities addressed by way of legislation and policy, in exchange for supporting the minority government on confidence votes.

Those include national dental and pharma care, anti-scab legislation, and investments in housing. Almost the entirety of the clauses of the agreement have been fulfilled, with the two big items left being a bill to support seniors and the Homebuyers’ Bill of Rights.

Singh said much has been accomplished with the deal, but added that the alliance is no longer sustainable due to differing views on how to best address affordability issues. The NDP leader argued that only he is able to take on Pierre Poilievre’s Conservatives in the next election and prevent cuts to social programs.

Conservatives have maintained a large lead in the polls over an extended period of time, indicating majority territory. The Tories’ message has centred around improving affordability by lowering both taxes and government spending.

A week before the NDP broke the agreement, Poilievre made public a letter he sent to Singh asking him to pull out of the deal to “trigger a carbon tax election.” Poilievre remarked that Singh made a deal with the Liberals to make life more affordable but the opposite has occurred.

Singh told reporters the letter played no part in his decision, saying he doesn’t value advice from Poilievre and that his video announcing the end of the deal had been filmed before receiving the letter.

Poilievre called Singh’s pulling out of the deal a “stunt” in a Sept. 4 press conference, linking the NDP to the government’s record on affordability and rising crime.

The Tory Leader didn’t say when he would test Singh’s support for the government, noting he needs to wait for the House of Commons calendar. The new sitting will begin Sept. 16.

Commenting on the end of the deal, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said on Sept. 4 he hopes the NDP will remain “focused on how we can deliver for Canadians, as we have over the past years, rather than focusing on politics.”

Trudeau didn’t say whether he would consider triggering an election before being subjected to a non-confidence vote. “I'll let the other parties focus on politics,” he said.

A week earlier, Government House Leader Karina Gould called the deal “strong” and said she expected it to last until the end in June 2025.

Minority governments can be toppled by votes of non-confidence, which can be designated as such by cabinet or by opposition motions. Votes around budgetary policy, taking place in early spring, are also usually confidence votes.

The last government to be toppled in a confidence vote was Stephen Harper’s in 2011. He then went on to win a majority in the subsequent election.