Ontario Premier Doug Ford launched a sharp critique of federal NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh on Monday, accusing him of being a “greedy politician” who is more concerned about securing his pension than triggering an early federal election. Speaking at a press conference in Prince Edward County, Ford dismissed the possibility of Singh forcing an election after the NDP withdrew from its pact with the governing Liberals.
“As far as I’m concerned, MP Singh, he’s just blowing smoke,” Ford stated. “There’s nothing more important to these greedy politicians than collecting a pension. I’ll be floored, and I’ll stand up here and apologize to all the greedy politicians if he calls the election early. But let’s face it: He wants his pension.”
The comments stem from the speculation that Singh, who will qualify for his MP pension in February 2025, avoided calling an early election to ensure he secures the benefits. Conservatives have been vocal in their criticism of Singh, with a series of attack ads earlier this year portraying him as a “sellout,” highlighting his luxury lifestyle and suggesting he is more focused on personal gain than addressing the concerns of ordinary Canadians.
Singh’s team fired back against these allegations. Anne McGrath, principal secretary to the NDP leader, emphasized Singh’s humble background compared to Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre. “In their 20s, Pierre Poilievre was building up his multi-million-dollar MP pension, and Jagmeet was working for minimum wage to support himself and his teenage brother,” McGrath said, defending Singh’s commitment to fighting for affordable living conditions for Canadians.
Bloc Québécois, meanwhile, indicated that it is prepared to support the minority Trudeau government in exchange for gains for Quebec, after the NDP’s withdrawal from the agreement with the Liberals.
Ontario NDP MP Matthew Green also responded to Ford’s comments, saying, “That’s pretty rich coming from Premier Ford, who has built his entire career on the coattails of his family’s last name and is now under criminal investigation for corruption.”
Regarding the possibility of an early provincial election, Ford suggested it’s not likely to happen in 2024, but he did leave the door open for a potential election ahead of the next scheduled date in June 2026. “We haven’t made that decision yet,” he remarked.