Charlie Angus may have finished second behind Jagmeet Singh in the NDP leadership race, but he remains a real force within the party. And even though he has already announced that he will not run in the next elections, he made a remarkable appearance at the end of the week in the National Post.
In his statement, Angus made it known that he would not participate in Pierre Poilievre’s procedural games to overthrow the Trudeau government. He wouldn’t necessarily vote to defeat it.
This position contrasts sharply with that of Singh.
Initially, Singh suggested that he would present a motion of no confidence in the Trudeau government at the first opportunity. But a careful reading of his announcement cast doubt on the timing, which could be as late as June.
A second announcement the same day was clearer that Singh was going to defeat the Trudeau government as soon as possible.
This is where Charlie Angus’ statement takes on its full importance, because it seems to lift the veil on the incomprehensible two-step waltz of Singh’s announcements.
There’s an old joke that a camel is a horse that was drawn by a committee. Instead of being a stupid drafting error, Singh’s first version was like this poor misshapen horse, designed to appeal to differing views among his caucus members.
According to Angus, the election of a Poilievre government would be a disaster for Canada, and he does not wish to help its arrival.
WHO IS CHARLIE ANGUS
To understand a political beast like Angus, you have to see him in his natural habitat. Blue collar, working, vans, forest, mines…
It was enough for me to meet the mayor, friends, neighbors, workers, members of the First Nations who supported Charlie. He was one of them, and they loved him. He was re-elected despite the efforts of the Conservatives to stick to him the NDP position in favor of the gun registry.
Charlie is not a doctrinaire socialist, he is a guy of the people. His philosophy is largely inspired by his Catholic religion and the good word of social justice.
Author of numerous books on workers and renowned musician, Angus, with his wife, founded a shelter for the most deprived in Toronto before returning to his native Timmins and entering politics.
After more than 20 years as an NDP MP and former caucus chair, his words command respect among the party’s social left base.
At Charlie, boots walk the talk.
ALLOW TIME
It’s clear now that Justin Trudeau is going to leave. He will prorogue Parliament to give his party time to choose his replacement.
Charlie Angus has just declared that he is one of those who want the resistance to the Poilievre steamroller to have time to organize.
