Could some policy wins lift the NDP's political fortunes?
CBC
The NDP is hoping to translate policy success into political success when some key elements of their supply-and-confidence agreement with the Liberals roll out in 2024 — but one polling analyst says the party's numbers don't seem to be budging.
NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh told CBC News Network's Power & Politics that his main goal is to push for policies that help Canadians. But he conceded that he hopes the NDP can get some credit for some of the government's recent policy moves.
"Once seniors are able to get their teeth looked after, once more and more kids are able to go to the dentist, once families see the benefit this has in their lives, we'll put [it] to Canadians that, 'Listen, we fought hard for you,'" Singh told host David Cochrane.
The government recently unveiled details of its highly anticipated Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP), which will start covering most basic dentistry costs for nine million uninsured Canadians next year.
The government also passed legislation that would strengthen the Competition Act to boost competition in the grocery sector, something the NDP has advocated. The government also has been making a lot of major funding announcements lately under the Housing Accelerator Fund, which is part of the supply-and-confidence agreement.
NDP House Leader Peter Julian said he's already getting positive feedback from his constituents.
"I've been coming back and talking to my constituents and they are giving an overwhelming thumbs-up to the NDP," he told CBC News.
"The NDP has a great track record and the receipts to say [that] not only have we been fighting on your behalf, but we've been fighting successfully."
Singh said the agreement with the Liberals has refocused his energy on winning the top job.
"Having seen the government up close, it's really redoubled my desire to become prime minister. We could do so much more to make people's lives better," he said.
But Éric Grenier, a polls analyst with TheWrit.ca, said Singh might have a long wait ahead of him — because the NDP's numbers have been pretty flat lately.
"I don't see any sign that the NDP is making any progress as a result of [the supply-and-confidence agreement]," he said. "They've been stuck somewhere just south of 20 per cent for the last little while and the trend line has been pretty steady."
Grenier also pointed out that the NDP's numbers haven't dropped lately, which may be a positive thing for the party.
"Traditionally, the junior partner in any sort of agreement or coalition or anything like that tends to kind of diminish over time in the polls. But the NDP has been able to hold its vote," he said.
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This First Person article is the experience of Kristine Thoreson, who lives in Calgary. For more information about CBC's First Person stories, please see the FAQ.