Who’s who on the Liberal, NDP House leader and whip teams
Along with meetings between the leaders, the Liberal-NDP agreement lays out plans for “regular” meetings between their respective House leaders and Whips, making it as good a time as any to explore who is working in these key offices. As described in the confidence-and-supply deal, “both parties agree to the minimum standing meetings” of “at […]
‘I’d keep one eye open when it comes to the Liberals,’ says former NDP MP
The confidence-and-supply agreement is a good opportunity for the NDP, the fourth place party in the House, to keep itself relevant nationally but at the same time, it will have to be vigilant to ensure the governing party delivers on the promises they made, says a former NDP MP who ran but lost in the […]
Broadbent says NDP ‘should be worried’ Liberals won’t live up to commitments in upcoming budget, must keep pressure on
In the ramp-up to the upcoming federal budget, the New Democrats have found themselves with more elbow room at the negotiating table this year, thanks to their recent confidence and supply agreement with the governing Liberals. While some of the content of that agreement is expected to emerge by way of tangible commitments in the […]
Liberal-NDP deal promises nothing more than a pharmacare pantomime
NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh stepped over broken promises about pharmacare walking down the aisle to join Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in a confidence and supply agreement. The “marriage” vows included a new promise—not to implement pharmacare, but about “continuing progress” toward a national program by passing legislation next year and making a plan to bulk […]
Liberal, NDP deal brings hope in fog of Ottawa politics
We saw a refreshing ray of hope shine through the grey fog of Ottawa politics last week. Watching NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announce their confidence-and-supply agreement last week was a welcome antidote to the noxious partisan rhetoric of recent weeks and months. I felt like I could almost see Jack […]
As Conservatives decry end of accountability at committees, NDP MPs say nothing has changed
As NDP MPs say their work on House committees will remain uninterrupted by a supply-and-confidence agreement with the government, Conservative MPs worry committees will operate as if the Liberals control a majority Parliament. House committees have been given renewed importance since 2019 as opposition parties in a minority Parliament have the plurality of votes, which […]
Trudeau and Singh find rare co-operation in federal politics
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau surprised political Ottawa and the rest of the country last week when he revealed that NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh had agreed to support his federal Liberal government on confidence votes until the next fixed election in October 2025. The devil will be in the details and this rare agreement could eventually […]
While politicos fret, a tsunami of relief floods the nation
CHELSEA, QUE.—Away from the snark, crackle and pop of the Ottawa bubble, a national sigh of relief may be building as news of the Liberal-NDP detente announced last week spreads. Partisans and pundits are gaming out winners and losers, lamenting the alleged threat to democracy and viewing this rare moment of bi-partisan co-operation through a […]
Getting out of ‘groundhog mode’: Party Central’s back with an unmasked party at the Met
In Art Deco low light, throngs of lobbyists, politicians, staffers, and reporters crowded the Métropolitain Brasserie Restaurant, run by Sarah Chown and one of political Ottawa’s favourite watering holes, on March 23, many of whom were back on the Hill to let loose and celebrate for the first time in a long time. Stephen Hendrie, […]
The New Democrats throw the Liberals a lifeline
OAKVILLE, ONT.—So, the New Democrats have agreed to a deal which will see them prop up the Liberal government until 2025. I’m not entirely sure what this arrangement does for the NDP, but it certainly helps the Liberals. In fact, this deal is a lifeline for Trudeau. I say that because had an election been […]
