Liberal-NDP deal a moment to prove doubters wrong
The last two times Canadians went to the polls to elect federal representatives, ballots were marked and counted to reveal a desire for collaboration in the House of Commons. Back-to-back minority Parliaments were formed in 2019 and 2021, with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau denied a second chance at the majority he oversaw in 2015. Leaders […]
In ‘backdoor socialism’ we trust?
OTTAWA—Seems like I just dislodged myself enough from Candice Bergen’s socialist backdoor to realize that something just shifted in Canadian politics—and not soon enough. Late Monday night, CBC reported that the Liberals and the NDP entered into a supply and confidence agreement until 2025. What this means is that the NDP will support the Liberals […]
Will NDP, Liberal dance partners find their rhythm?
OTTAWA—The NHL trade deadline came and went this past week with some notable transactions. But nothing topped the deal between the Liberals and New Democrats. The Liberals acquired the New Democrats’ commitment to them for yet-to-be-determined, but expected to be billions of taxpayer dollars, in return for near unconditional support over a 3.5-year period. Still […]
Politics This Morning: The Liberals may have to look beyond the NDP for support to increase defence spending
Good Wednesday morning, ANTHONY ROTA, the Speaker of the House of Commons, underwent scheduled bypass surgery on Monday at the Health Sciences North hospital in Sudbury. Rota’s director of communications informed the media yesterday that Rota was “resting comfortably and doing well.” The House of Commons and the Senate are both sitting today, and the […]
‘It’s very unusual to see this level of trust between two major parties’: NDP-Liberal confidence deal a ‘double-edged sword’ for Singh, strategists say
NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh’s commitment to prop up the Liberal government until 2025 carries more risk for New Democrats, with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau the clear winner, according to political strategists. “It’s very unusual to see this level of trust between two major parties,” said former two-term Liberal MP Joe Jordan. The NDP is the […]
Attacked for betraying NDP legacy, Singh plays balancing act while supporting Emergencies Act
In supporting the invocation of the Emergencies Act, the NDP is playing a balancing act, but party insiders say it had to be done. The party is facing charges that it broke with its own history when the great majority of NDP MPs voted against the invocation of the War Measures Act during the October […]
NDP caucus retreat brings renewed focus on health care and cost-of-living concerns ahead of House return
New Democrats ended their virtual caucus retreat with a plan for the party to push the Liberal government on cost of living and health-care capacity, a focus NDP MPs and political strategists say will resonate with Canadians but won’t replace the ground-game organizing needed to improve the party’s electoral fortunes. “You can’t just focus on […]
Alexa McDonough and the cost of blazing trails
Trailblazing isn’t easy, but those who knew her say Alexa McDonough had the character and resilience to do it with grace, earnestness, and always a sense of humour. Since her recent death, McDonough has been described as a “role model,” an “icon,” and the reason many women in politics who came after her were able […]
The problem with the ballot
TORONTO—For decades the NDP, and before it the CCF, claimed that shielding information about election financing allowed corporations to exert undue influence in the making of public policy and awarding of government contracts. The underlying assumption in the law at the time was that elections were fought only by candidates in constituencies, not by political […]
All parties have a chance to right their respective ships in 2022
OTTAWA—As the year draws to a close, it is time to reflect on politics past and future. In the past year, the governing Liberals limped out of an election, barely making any inroads into their dream of a governing majority. In the past year, the newly-minted Conservative leader dreamed that this was his party’s time […]
