NDP has more to lose from new deal with Liberals, experts warn
Global News
NDP and Liberal MPs were generally upbeat about working together under a deal to keep the Liberal government going for another three years.
NDP and Liberal MPs were generally upbeat about the idea of working together as the dust began to settle following the unexpected announcement that their party leaders had reached a deal to keep the Liberal government going for another three years.
But some experts warn of the possible ramifications at the ballot box, particularly for the NDP, who are propping up the Liberal minority government in exchange for movement on key NDP priorities like national pharmacare and dental-care programs.
The two caucuses held meetings Wednesday for the first time since they were asked by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh to endorse the confidence and supply agreement in emergency caucus meetings late Monday night.
To avoid leaks, the deal was kept to a small circle of people within both parties and not even most cabinet ministers were aware of the plan until Monday. Singh and Trudeau both pitched it as a solution to the instability and hyper-partisanship of a minority Parliament at a time when many Canadians have little patience left for upheaval.
On the whole, most Liberal and New Democrat MPs agreed.
“I think this is exciting,” Ottawa Centre Liberal MP Yasir Naqvi said in an interview. “We have been living through challenging times, caused by the global pandemic and a growing international crisis. Now more than ever, it’s important that we work together to develop solutions to make sure we are delivering for Canadians.”
Toronto Liberal John McKay said reaction in his world is “relatively positive” and most Liberals thinking it over have likely realized this is not going to affect them that much.
“I think it’s just simply a holding deal and stabilization deal,” he said. “Nothing more, nothing less.”