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Trudeau vows to avoid early election after NDP breaks agreement

With Trudeau’s party in a minority in the House of Commons, the opposition Conservative Party is already seeking to force an election at the earliest

Published on: Sept 05, 2024 03:32 pm IST
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Toronto: Hours after the New Democratic Party (NDP) pulled out from an agreement it had with the ruling Liberal Party Government, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau stressed he does not want an early election and indicated he will seek to work with his former partner.

Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau (REUTERS)

Speaking to the media in the town of Rocky Harbour in the province of Newfoundland and Labrador, Trudeau said, “I look forward to conversations with Mr (Jagmeet) Singh about how we’re going to continue to demonstrate that confident countries invest in their citizens, invest in their future, because that’s what we’re doing.” That statement just hours after Jagmeet Singh announced his party was withdrawing from the Supply and Confidence Agreement, which had been in place since March 2022.

“I’ll let others focus on politics, but I will point out that I really hope the NDP stays focused on how we can deliver for Canadians, as we have over the last years, rather than focusing on politics,” Trudeau added.

With Trudeau’s party in a minority in the House of Commons, the opposition Conservative Party is already seeking to force an election at the earliest, with a potential no confidence motion when the House of Commons meets for its session beginning on September 18.

Federal elections in Canada are scheduled for October 2025, but with just 154 MPs, Trudeau’s Liberals are in a minority in the 338-member House. Till Wednesday morning, it had survived with the support of the 25-strong NDP caucus.

In a video message posted on Wednesday, Singh said he had “ripped up” the agreement, adding, “Canadians are fighting a battle.  A battle for the future of the middle class.  Justin Trudeau has proven again and again he will always cave to corporate greed. The Liberals have let people down. They don’t deserve another chance from Canadians.”

The announcement came at a time when the Trudeau Government is extremely unpopular and that disfavour rubbed on to the NDP. According to a survey released by the non-profit public polling agency Angus Reid Institute or ARI, the Conservatives enjoy 43 per cent support, a hefty 22 per cent advantage over the ruling party.

 
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Anirudh Bhattacharyya

Anirudh Bhattacharya is a Toronto-based commentator on North American issues, and an author. He has also worked as a journalist in New Delhi and New York spanning print, television and digital media. He tweets as @anirudhb.

Get the latest headlines from US news and global updates from Pakistan, Nepal, UK, Bangladesh, Russia, and get all the latest headlines in one place on Hindustan Times.
Get the latest headlines from US news and global updates from Pakistan, Nepal, UK, Bangladesh, Russia, and get all the latest headlines in one place on Hindustan Times.
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