Singh breaks with Liberals

NDP’ exit from supply and confidence’ agreement could lead to early election call

- TONDA MACCHARLES AND RAISA PATEL

The prospect of a snap federal election is suddenly on the table after NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh prematurely killed the 2022 deal he struck to support Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's minority government.

The early collapse of the agreement which gave Trudeau the necessary votes to pass three federal budgets and operate as if he had a majority - does not automatically trigger an election.

That's because the 24 NDP members of Parliament could continue to support the 154-member minority Liberal government on a vote-by-vote basis which is exactly what the Liberals are counting on-rather than automatically moving to declare lost confidence in Trudeau.

It does mean, however, that Singh could introduce a non-confidence vote or vote for any such motion the Conservatives or Bloc Québécois could present, potentially plunging the country into a federal election campaign which the Conservatives immediately demanded, and Trudeau cautioned against. Parliament is set to resume sitting on Sept. 16.

But ahead of that, Singh released a campaign-style video statement on social media Wednesday to announce he was pulling out of the "supply and confidence agreement" 10 months before it was set to expire because the Liberals cannot be trusted to fight or win what he called a battle "for the future of the middle class."

He did not cite specific policy differences except to say the governing Liberals "will always cave to corporate greed," "have let people down" and "don't deserve another chance."

Over images of the NDP leader glad-handing with Canadians and party supporters, and walking with a child, Singh talked tough about getting ready for the next federal vote.