By Canadian Press

As pharmacare deadline looms, Singh mulls a future without NDP’s deal with Liberals

Feb 13, 2024 | 10:01 AM

OTTAWA — NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh is mulling what it would mean for his party if the supply-and-confidence deal that ties his party to the Liberals should end prematurely. 

The NDP signed a political pact with the Liberals in 2022 to support the government on key votes in exchange for progress on shared priorities like pharmacare.

The Liberals agreed to table and pass pharmacare legislation by the end of 2023, but negotiations over its contents stalled and the parties extended the deadline to March 1 in hopes of reaching an agreement. 

Singh’s hopes now appear to be fading as he explains what the NDP’s relationship will look like if the deal dies next month. 

He says his party will still be open to working with the minority Liberal government on a case-by-case basis on legislation that they agree on.

Sound Off

SOUND OFF: Culturally appropriate food goes beyond the ingredients on a plate

21h ago

Two and Out

PETERS: Whether building up or tearing down, Kamloops is what you make it

Dec 13, 2024

Sound Off

SOUND OFF: How to reduce food waste in Kamloops during the festive season

Dec 13, 2024

But he says the NDP would no longer feel obliged to support the government — or to prevent a snap election. 

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 13, 2024. 

The Canadian Press