Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre has issued a direct challenge to NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh, calling on him to withdraw his party’s support for the Liberal government and trigger a federal election this fall, rather than waiting until next year as scheduled.
In a letter to Singh, Poilievre criticized the ongoing supply-and-confidence agreement between the NDP and the Liberals, stating that “Canadians can’t afford or endure another year of this costly coalition.” He urged Singh to pull out of the agreement and vote non-confidence in the government this September, setting the stage for what he termed a “carbon tax election” in October 2024. Poilievre warned that if Singh fails to act, he risks being labeled as “Sellout Singh.”
The challenge comes amid a closely contested federal byelection in Manitoba, where the Conservatives and NDP are expected to be the main competitors.
Responding to Poilievre, NDP House Leader Peter Julian emphasized that leaving the agreement remains an option for Singh. However, he accused Poilievre of wanting to win an election to enact policies that would harm Canadians, such as cutting healthcare and pensions. Julian reaffirmed the NDP’s commitment to “taking care of our neighbours,” both before and after any election.
NDP National Director Anne McGrath added that decisions regarding the continuation of the agreement are up to the NDP, not Poilievre. She noted that the party has secured significant policy commitments from the Liberals, including new pharmacare and dental programs, as well as anti-scab legislation. While McGrath acknowledged that walking away from the deal is always a possibility, she stressed that the NDP aims to push for further social program expansions while the agreement is still in place.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau defended his government’s focus on policy over personalities, despite Poilievre’s critique that a cabinet shuffle was needed following a recent byelection loss in Toronto-St. Paul’s. Trudeau highlighted recent policy moves, including a clampdown on the low-wage temporary foreign worker program and new tariffs on Chinese-made electric vehicles to protect Canada’s auto sector.
Poilievre also accused Singh of abandoning the labour movement by supporting a government that forced railway workers into binding arbitration, instead of allowing them to negotiate at the bargaining table. Singh, who will qualify for his MP pension in February 2025, was also criticized by Poilievre for allegedly delaying an election for personal benefit.
Government House Leader Karina Gould expressed confidence that the NDP-Liberal agreement will hold until its expected end date in June 2025, ensuring stability for the government until then. The agreement, signed in March 2022, has allowed the Liberal government to avoid the threat of a confidence vote and continue governing without the need for an early election.