Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s Liberal minority government made a backdoor deal with the New Democratic Party (NDP) to stay in power until 2025.
In exchange, “the Liberals will support the left-leaning NDP on several of the party’s key priorities in parliament,” the BBC reports.
Canadian PM Justin Trudeau's Liberals reach deal with New Democratic Party to stay in power until 2025https://t.co/dPEp6jOzAK
— BBC News (World) (@BBCWorld) March 22, 2022
Mr Trudeau said on Tuesday that he believes the agreement will provide “stability” for Canadians.
The move has been strongly criticised by Canada’s Conservative Party.
Speaking at a news conference on Tuesday, Mr Trudeau said that the deal – which he termed a “supply and confidence” agreement – begins today and will continue through the end of Canada’s current parliament in 2025.
“What this means is that during this uncertain time, the government can function with predictability and stability, present and implement budgets and get things done for Canadians,” he said.
The deal differs to a coalition, where parties share power. Instead, the Liberals – who failed to win a majority in the past two elections – will continue to govern as a minority, but with assurances the NDP will support them in confidence votes.
Justin Trudeau says that he will be running for re-election in 2025 to remain Prime Minister. pic.twitter.com/HA2tRivQNB
— True North (@TrueNorthCentre) March 22, 2022
In other words, it’s a sneakier way to consolidate power and limit the political influence of your opposition.
While not as brazen as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy banning 11 opposition parties, Trudeau can still operate as a de facto dictator.
Conservatives accused Trudeau of a power grab.
— Candice Bergen Harris (@CandiceBergenMP) March 22, 2022
Justin Trudeau agreed to this power consolidation with the NDP because he is afraid of running against Pierre Poilievre in a year's time. READ: https://t.co/7PfmVMe5Ht
— Keean Bexte (@TheRealKeean) March 22, 2022
An opposition leader accused Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau of a "power grab" after he made a deal with the Leftist Party to stay in office until 2025.https://t.co/ouryebTYTQ
— DW News (@dwnews) March 22, 2022
The Counter Signal commented:
In practice, what this means is that Trudeau will have all the powers of a majority government, despite not winning one since 2015.
According to an NDP source speaking with CTV News, the formal agreement is meant to address “post-pandemic exhaustion and uncertainty over the war in Ukraine, and they feel it’s important to show parties can work together despite their differences.”
This post-pandemic exhaustion is, of course, a result of the Liberal government’s restriction of Canadians’ rights, but then, the NDP supported that move, too. In fact, Jagmeet wanted the pandemic response to be more intense, calling for a military-aided vaccination campaign in late 2021.
Indeed, this unholy alliance of socialists helping socialists shouldn’t come as a surprise. The NDP under Jagmeet Singh has long played lackey to the Trudeau regime, ensuring that the latter has the votes to routinely pass legislation, despite only having a minority government.
Last month, NDP members ensured Trudeau retained his self-granted Emergency powers even though the peacefully protesting truckers posed no threat.
BREAKING: Socialist coalition power pact formed seeking to hold power until 2025.
Help me fight back and win.
Sign now: https://t.co/mNkavo9Xca pic.twitter.com/x2DDb8JMIR
— Pierre Poilievre (@PierrePoilievre) March 22, 2022
Justin Trudeau never needed the Emergency Act. 2 days ago this was the end-all be-all for his government.
Time to dust off those knees and grab a kleenex @theJagmeetSingh, but we will never forget how you looked kneeling in front of Trudeau.— Keean Bexte (@TheRealKeean) February 23, 2022
DW provided further details of Trudeau’s deal with the leftist party:
Trudeau’s Liberal Party won reelection in September but fell short of forming a majority government against the main opposition, the Conservatives.
The leftist NDP agreed to the arrangement in return for deals on pharmaceutical and dental care plans, even though the party will not be represented in the Cabinet.
The Canadian prime minister also said that, though the NDP will not have any veto power over budgets or legislation, the party has “agreed to work together.”
“It’s about focusing on what we agree on instead of what we disagree on,” Trudeau said.
NDP leader Jagmeet Singh said that, while he is confident that the partnership will work, if the Liberal Party fails to meet the conditions the deal is off the table.
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