Jagmeet Singh: NDP Could Prop Up Liberal Government For Another 3 Years
OTTAWA — NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh says he could see his party supporting the Liberals for their full mandate.
In an interview with “Follow-Up,” HuffPost Canada’s political podcast, which will be released late Friday, Singh said his goal is to use his current position — as one of three opposition parties with the balance of power in a minority Parliament — to support people.
Watch: COVID-19 benefits hike a ‘major victory for people,’ Singh says
“Yes,” he said, when asked if he could see the Liberals lasting another three years in office. “The goal for me, like the test is, if they continue to support us in bringing about things, like paid sick leave, that’s something we fought for. If they support us and bring that in, that’s something we can continue to support.
“If we can continue to find ways to help people and they’ll support us in helping people, then we’ll continue to go,” Singh said.
“For me, it’s not about finding a reason to tear down government. I want to use my position to get the help to people. And sometimes that means we have to go to an election. But I don’t want that. I want to continue to fight for people and get them the help they need.
“That’s my operating principle. And if I can continue to achieve that, if our team can continue to do that, then we’re going to continue down that path.”
Singh said his party’s 11th-hour negotiations with the Trudeau government Thursday were about laying the groundwork for a program that would provide federal assistance to workers who need to stay home because of illness — not just those affected by COVID-19.
Liberals, NDP reach deal to stave off fall election
He was “optimistic” about a resolution — one that eventually came Friday afternoon — ensuring the passage of the Liberals’ speech from the throne and staving off an immediate federal election.
“We hope we’ve laid down the argument … not just for paid sick leave during the pandemic, but...
