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 […]
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 […]
