Exploring the delicate alliance between the Liberals and NDP, with Jagmeet Singh setting a deadline for a pharmacare bill. Discussions on the risks of the deal falling apart and potential election consequences. Highlighting wins for the NDP and the future of their collaboration.
The deal between the Liberals and NDP secured dental care expansion for millions of Canadians.
Differing approaches on a national pharmacare program pose challenges within the Liberal-NDP agreement.
Deep dives
The Supply and Confidence Agreement between Liberals and NDP
The podcast delves into the details of the agreement between Canada's liberal minority government and the NDP, where the parties agreed on policies in exchange for support. Initiated in March 2022, the deal aimed to avoid an election and advance a collaborative agenda focusing on healthcare, affordability, climate change, labor, tax changes, amongst other issues. Noteworthy policy advancements included dental care expansion aiding around 9 million Canadians and discussions on a national pharmacare program.
Progress and Sticking Points with Dental and Pharmacare
A significant achievement highlighted in the podcast was the expansion of dental care to benefit millions of Canadians, spearheaded by the NDP within the agreement. However, challenges arose concerning pharmacare negotiations, with differing approaches between the parties; the NDP advocating for a universal single-payer system while the Liberals lean towards a mixed system to accommodate private insurance holders.
Outcomes and Future of the Political Agreement
As the looming March 1st deadline approaches, the podcast speculates on potential outcomes of the agreement between Liberals and NDP, particularly emphasizing the critical negotiations surrounding pharmacare. Despite potential tensions, both parties aim to maintain the agreement to avoid political destabilization, with considerations regarding future confidence votes and potential alternative support from the Bloc Québécois.
On paper, the Liberals’ deal for the NDP’s support is supposed to prop up their minority government until next summer.
But in exchange, the Liberals agreed to a bill on pharmacare, and NDP leader Jagmeet Singh is threatening that the deal could be done if they miss an approaching March 1st deadline.
So could the coming weeks see the end of the deal? Would the Liberals really risk an election right now? And did the deal deliver wins for the NDP that voters will remember?
CBC’s chief political correspondent Rosemary Barton returns to unpack it all.
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