Singh says he has no regrets about NDP’s supply and confidence deal with Liberals

TORONTO – With polls showing his party mired in third place in the federal election campaign, NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh said Monday he has no regrets about how he handled his party’s governance deal with the Liberals.

With the data all pointing toward a two-horse race, Singh said his party’s accomplishments through the supply and confidence agreement with former prime minister Justin Trudeau’s government should convince more people to support the NDP.

The NDP leader cited the case of an Ottawa woman who qualified for benefits under the Canadian Dental Care Plan — one of the programs the NDP sought and achieved in exchange for keeping the minority Liberals in power from March 2022 to September 2024.

“That’s who New Democrats fought for. Now millions of people like Sue are able to go to the dentist for the first time,” Singh said at a Toronto press conference. “I’m proud that we’re able to support Sue. And that’s who we fought for. That’s who we always fight for.”

Some observers have suggested the supply and confidence deal damaged the NDP going into the election by linking it too closely with the unpopular Trudeau. Singh said it was “worth it” to “make people’s lives better.”

Singh has backed away in recent days from saying he’s campaigning to be prime minister. On Monday, he said it would be an honour to serve in that role.

“People will choose the outcome of this election. I’m encouraging people to vote for as many New Democrats as you can, because that’s the only way you’ll have something that’s actually going to fight for you, to stand up for things that matter for you and your family,” he said.

On the policy front, Singh promised Monday that an NDP government would spend $16 billion over four years to build three million homes by 2030.

The funds would be split evenly between two programs.

The Canadian Homes Transfer would “reward” cities that build more multi-unit homes in all neighbourhoods, build more homes near transit hubs and speed up permitting. Singh compared this to the current Housing Accelerator Fund but said it would be a permanent program.

To access these funds, cities would have to, among other things, support the use of prefabricated builds, freeze increases in development charges and commit to having non-market housing make up one-fifth of all homes in every neighbourhood.

The Communities First Fund would be an $8 billion fund that provinces could access to help expand the water and sewage infrastructure needed to support housing.

To access this fund, provinces would have to freeze their portion of development charges and work with cities to cut those charges in half, commit to national rent control and bring forward a “housing security strategy” aimed at ending encampments.

When asked how he plans to pay for all this, Singh pointed to an earlier campaign promise to close offshore corporate tax loopholes. Singh said that the Canada Revenue Agency estimates that nearly $30 billion in corporate taxes is going uncollected in Canada annually.

These housing announcements go along with the NDP’s earlier pledge to train 100,000 skilled workers to help build new homes.

Singh also pointed to his pitch for a “victory bond” plan — similar to a program deployed during the Second World War — that would offer people a chance to buy government bonds as a secure investment in the face of tariff-related stock market turmoil.

Before his housing announcement, Singh met with Hudson Bay workers who are going to be laid off once their stores close. 

The NDP leader said that employees should be paid ahead of creditors when companies like Hudson Bay file for bankruptcy. 

Winnipeg Free Press | Newsletter

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Singh said an NDP government would give “super priority” protections to employees who lose their jobs when a company closes.

That would ensure, he said, that unpaid wages, benefits and severance are paid out before money goes to creditors.

Singh added that he’d change competition rules to ensure a foreign entity can only buy a Canadian company if they show there will be a “net benefit” for the economy and it won’t be sold off for parts.

Most of the Hudson Bay employees Singh met with said they’ve worked for the company for more than 20 years and are worried about finding new employment.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 7, 2025.