In Canada, the Liberal minority government loses its main ally. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau suffered a major political rejection on Wednesday, September 4, after his main left-wing ally made a surprise announcement that their political agreement was ending.
The agreement was to last until June 2025.
It was in a video posted on social media that the leader of the New Democratic Party (NDP), Jagmeet Singh, announced that he was withdrawing from this alliance concluded three years ago. In this message, Mr. Singh did not mince his words against his former allies: “The liberals are too weak, too selfish and too close to the ultra-rich to fight for the people.”
He also accused Justin Trudeau of not being able to face the Conservative opposition. The latter, led by Pierre Poilievre, is leading by a wide margin in the polls ahead of the legislative elections to be held by the end of October 2025. According to him, the Canadian prime minister is not able to face the Conservative opposition. Led by Pierre Poilievre, the latter is leading by a wide margin in the polls ahead of the legislative elections to be held by the end of October 2025. Jagmeet Singh will hold a press conference on Thursday.
New support to be found or new elections
After Justin Trudeau’s Liberals narrowly won a snap election in September 2021, the NDP agreed to support the party to protect it from confidence votes that could bring down the government. In exchange for this support, the NDP was able to pass several social programs, including a new dental care program for low-income Canadians and legislation against the use of replacement workers during a strike.
“I’m not going to do politics today”Justin Trudeau dismissed the announcement when questioned Wednesday on the sidelines of a trip on the theme of schools in the province of Newfoundland and Labrador, in the east of the country.
The head of government does not automatically have to call for new elections but will have to find new support in Parliament to survive the confidence votes. Three provincial elections are planned in the fall and, by convention, the legislative elections do not take place at the same time.
The Canadian House of Commons currently has 154 Liberal MPs, 119 Conservatives, 32 Bloc Québécois MPs, 24 NDP MPs, two Greens, three independents and four vacant seats.
