The NDP hopes to translate policy success into political success when some key elements of its supply and confidence agreement with the Liberals come to fruition in 2024, one polling analyst said. The party’s numbers do not appear to have changed.
NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh told CBC News Network. power and politics He says his main goal is to push for policies that help Canadians. But he acknowledged the NDP is hoping to get some recognition for some of the government’s recent policy moves.
“Once older people can take care of their teeth, more children can go to the dentist, and families understand the benefits this can bring to their lives, we will [it] “We want to say to Canadians, ‘Listen, we fought hard for you,'” Singh told host David Cochrane.
The NDP and Liberals have agreed to extend negotiations on the Pharmacare Bill, a key part of the Supply and Confidence Agreement, until March 1. Power & Politics spoke with NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh about the status of these negotiations and the future of the agreement.
The government recently announced details of the highly anticipated Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP). This means that most basic dental costs for the nine million uninsured Canadians will begin to be covered next year.
The government also passed legislation to strengthen competition laws to promote competition in the food sector. The National Democratic Party claims. The government has also made a number of major funding announcements recently. Housing acceleration fundwhich is part of a trust supply agreement.
NDP House of Commons Leader Peter Julian said he’s already gotten positive feedback from voters.
“I’ve been back and talking to voters and they overwhelmingly favor the NDP,” he told CBC News.
“The NDP has a great track record and receipts.” [that] We have not only fought on your behalf, we have fought successfully. ”
Singh said the agreement with the Liberal Party has refocused his energy on winning the top job.
“Seeing the government up close has really doubled my desire to become prime minister. There are many more things I can do to improve the lives of the people,” he said.
But TheWrit.ca polling analyst Eric Grenier said Singh may be in for a long wait, as the NDP’s numbers have been roughly flat lately.
“I don’t see any signs of the NDP moving forward as a result of this.” [the supply-and-confidence agreement]”It’s been stuck somewhere a little south of 20% for a while now, so the trend line is pretty stable,” he said.
Grenier also noted that the NDP’s approval ratings have not declined recently, which could be a positive for the party.
“Traditionally, in any type of agreement or coalition or anything like that, the junior partner in the polls tends to decline over time. But the NDP was able to hold onto the vote.” he said.
While recent polls have shown the Conservatives holding a fairly steady lead over the Liberals and NDP, at least one policy, the Supply and Confidence Agreement, appears to have strong support among voters.
recently Abacus votinga majority of Canadians said the Conservative government should not cut dental programs.
Grenier said one of the obstacles the NDP faces is the fact that the Liberals can always take credit for programs such as dental care.
Asked if it was difficult to work with the government while operating as an opposition party, Julien noted that the NDP, along with other opposition parties, has been working against the Liberal Party over the past year.he pointed to Liberal Party’s controversial gun control amendment bill and, Public inquiry into foreign interference As an example.
“What we’re doing is using every tool available to us. If that means dialogue and negotiation, that’s what we’ll do. If that means pushing the government through the House of Commons, If so, we certainly will.”
During the recent sitting of the House of Commons, the Supply and Confidence Agreement appeared to have hit a roadblock after the government failed to pass the Pharmacare Bill by the end of 2023, the deadline set out in the agreement’s original text.
The National Democratic Party and the Liberal Party agreed to an extension. The Pharmacare Bill is currently scheduled to be introduced in March.
Singh blamed the Liberal Party for the delay, but said pharmacare remained a priority for the party.
“We said no to the first draft and they accepted it very clearly. They very much listened to our feedback that they needed to see something that was in line with our principles. I received it clearly,” he said.
Before the extension was announced, Health Minister Mark Holland said negotiations were complex and the deadline was “arbitrary”.
“This is a very complex area and it will certainly take time to find common ground,” Holland said of talks with the NDP.
Julian would not say what the NDP would do if no bill is introduced in March.
“When we get to the bridge, we’ll cross it,” he said.
However, recent polls suggest that pharmacare may not be at the top of most Canadians’ priorities.
When asked to name their top two healthcare priorities in the Léger poll, only 10% of respondents said the government should prioritize creating a new universal, single-payer drug plan. Only 18% of Canadians
The NDP is still third in the polls, but still third in fundraising. As of November, the party had raised $4.2 million. Behind conservatives and liberals.
Grenier suggested the party may want to focus its efforts on fundraising.
“I think the biggest challenge for them is the lack of policy variety and how they are viewed by Canadians,” he said. “We just have to get our resources ready for the election.”
