Â鶹´«Ã½

Skip to main content

NDP leader threatens to pull out of supply and confidence agreement over health care

Share
OTTAWA -

NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh says his party is prepared to withdraw from the supply and confidence agreement he signed with the Liberals if there is no federal action to address the health-care crisis.

The deal would see the NDP support the minority government on key votes in the House of Commons to avoid triggering an election before 2025. In exchange, the Liberals have promised to make progress on a number of NDP priorities, including health care.

While some terms of the agreement are very specific, the party's accord on health care involves "additional ongoing investments," but no timelines or specific dollar figures.

"If we don't see action on health care, we absolutely reserve the right to withdraw our support," Singh said at a press conference Monday.

"This is at the level of seriousness that we could make that serious consideration. We need to see action."

Singh said he's particularly concerned about the "escalating" problems in children's hospitals across the country. He has requested an emergency debate in the House of Commons as hospitals deal with an influx of sick kids.

"We are at a breaking point," Singh said. "Our children are at risk right now."

Just last week, CHEO, the children's hospital in Ottawa, called in support from the Canadian Red Cross to bolster staff who are treating record numbers of babies and children with respiratory illnesses.

Meanwhile, the Alberta Children's Hospital in Calgary is using a heated trailer as an overflow waiting room to accommodate young patients.

Singh wrote to the House Speaker giving notice of the NDP's request, citing these examples and other developments across Canada.

Singh wants Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to meet with premiers to find a solution.

He says urgent action by the government should be informed by the debate of parliamentarians.

Singh said the conditions imposed in the supply and confidence agreement on health care are deliberately "flexible," but the NDP leader added he's not seeing urgency from the government.

"This is not just about health-care transfers. This is about an immediate crisis that requires immediate action and a prime minister to step up and show that leadership."

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 12, 2022.

IN DEPTH

Opinion

opinion

opinion Don Martin: Gusher of Liberal spending won't put out the fire in this dumpster

A Hail Mary rehash of the greatest hits from the Trudeau government’s three-week travelling pony-show, the 2024 federal budget takes aim at reversing the party’s popularity plunge in the under-40 set, writes political columnist Don Martin. But will it work before the next election?

opinion

opinion Don Martin: How a beer break may have doomed the carbon tax hike

When the Liberal government chopped a planned beer excise tax hike to two per cent from 4.5 per cent and froze future increases until after the next election, says political columnist Don Martin, it almost guaranteed a similar carbon tax move in the offing.

CTVNews.ca Top Stories

A team of tornado experts is heading to Fergus, Ont. after a storm ripped through the area Sunday night.

Why brain aging can vary dramatically between people

Researchers are uncovering deeper insights into how the human brain ages and what factors may be tied to healthier cognitive aging, including exercising, avoiding tobacco, speaking a second language or even playing a musical instrument.

Local Spotlight

For the second year in a row, the ‘Gift-a-Family’ campaign is hoping to make the holidays happier for children and families in need throughout Barrie.

Some of the most prolific photographers behind CTV Skywatch Pics of the Day use the medium for fun, therapy, and connection.

A young family from Codroy Valley, N.L., is happy to be on land and resting with their newborn daughter, Miley, after an overwhelming, yet exciting experience at sea.

As Connor Nijsse prepared to remove some old drywall during his garage renovation, he feared the worst.

A group of women in Chester, N.S., has been busy on the weekends making quilts – not for themselves, but for those in need.

A Vancouver artist whose streetside singing led to a chance encounter with one of the world's biggest musicians is encouraging aspiring performers to try their hand at busking.

Ten-thousand hand-knit poppies were taken from the Sanctuary Arts Centre and displayed on the fence surrounding the Dartmouth Cenotaph on Monday.

A Vancouver man is saying goodbye to his nine-to-five and embarking on a road trip from the Canadian Arctic to Antarctica.

Stay Connected