NDP member support declining for Jagmeet Singh raises questions about his future
How good is 81 per cent?
It's a solid "A minus" at nearby McMaster University.
But when it comes to leading a federal party, it means about one in five members aren’t so sure you should keep your job.
This weekend, 81 per cent of NDP delegates voted against forcing a leadership contest. This gave Jagmeet Singh the lowest level of support for an NDP leader since the 2016 convention, when more than half the delegates voted to remove Thomas Mulcair.
“To me it was a bit of a surprise,” said Karl Bélanger, president of Traxxion Strategies. “I was expecting (Singh) to be more around the 90 per cent mark.”
Bélanger was a top advisor to Mulcair, and doesn’t think this leadership review will lead to calls for Singh to resign.
“But it’s clearly a signal that he probably does have one last shot,” Bélanger said.
That shot is expected to play out sometime before the fall of 2025, as Singh will need to produce a significant increase to the 25 federal seats his party has now.
“New Democrats need to elect more NDP members next election,” said Kathleen Monk, a former director of communications to late NDP leader Jack Layton. “And also need to make gains in regions of the country that we are currently locked out of, like the Atlantic and Saskatchewan.”
Since the 2011 “Orange Wave” swept across Quebec --- propelling the Layton-led NDP to 103 seats and Official Opposition status --- the New Democrats have seen their hopes to form government decline.
At this convention in Hamilton, there was a video message from Manitoba NDP leader Wab Kinew, fresh off his win over Progressive Conservative Heather Stephenson.B.C. Premier David Eby and Ontario Official Opposition Leader Marit Stiles also delivered speeches.
As the party hoped to send a message that NDP leaders can challenge and defeat the Conservatives, Singh has so far been unable to replicate the party’s provincial success at a federal level.
The NDP leader says 81 per cent is still a strong mandate, but understands there’s room for improvement.
“The message I received Is very typical, something I'm proud of, as a New Democrat, which is always to demand more,” Singh said, promising to use his supply-and-confidence agreement with the Liberals as leverage to do just that.
GROWING FRUSTRATION OVER PERCEIVED STALLED PROGRESS IN SUPPLY AND CONFIDENCE AGREEMENT
NDP delegates are concerned the Liberals are doing some last-minute cramming, and may not be ready to pass pharmacare legislation before the deals deadline at the end of December.
There is appetite within the party to pressure the Liberals and draw a hard line.
“That’s the deal, right? The Liberals said they would do A, B, and C in exchange for our support,” said Robin Steudel, a delegate who travelled from Yukon to attend the convention. “The support has been given and so now they need to pony up.”
Steudel believes, like many other delegates, the NDP must push for more concessions.
“You write that deal, you come up with that deal, and then you need to keep pushing. The work doesn’t really stop on the day that the deal gets signed,” the northern delegate said.
The NDP leader confessed his own frustrations to members during the convention.
“When we made this choice to strike this agreement, to work together, we knew there would be critics,” said Singh in a pre-recorded video played at the convention, ahead of his speech.
“We knew that people would be upset that we’re working together with Primer Minister Trudeau and frankly some days I’m upset because I don’t agree with everything the prime minister is doing”.
While it’s the first federal agreement of its kind between the two parties, it’s not the first time the NDP has worked alongside a Liberal prime minister.
In 1972, then-NDP leader David Lewis propped up Pierre Elliot Trudeau’s minority government in exchange for progressive priorities, including the creation of Petro Canada as a Crown corporation.
But when Lewis voted against the 1974 budget triggering an election, it was Pierre Trudeau’s Liberals who were rewarded with a majority government.
It’s a concern that some NDP members have with the current deal with Justin Trudeau’s Liberals.
“You’re not getting the credit for some of these policies and programs,” Bélanger said.
They’re also on a timeline that most New Democrats find too slow.
“Singh and the NDP team are doing some challenging stuff, pushing for laws, policies and new programs that are historic but also hard,” said Monk.
“It is easy for folks to critique, but in many ways, Singh has already exceeded what Jack Layton attempted. New Democrats are actually forcing the governing party to enact programs that in the past.”
“Liberals couldn't even utter, like, GST tax credit and the anti-scab bill,” Monk added.
Monk said she expects Singh and his team will continue to face internal party push-back over the deal.
On Saturday, delegates supported an emergency resolution designed to increase pressure on the Liberals around a national prescription drug program.
“The NDP will publicly declare that continued confidence and supply is contingent on government legislation that clearly commits to a universal, comprehensive and entirely public pharmacare program,” the document read.
The convention votes are non-binding, therefore Singh and his caucus still get final say on what policy proposals are adopted.
It's a delicate line for the leader to walk, grassroots members fear, as recent polls show the NDP and Liberals being left in the Conservatives’ rear view mirror.
Correction
This story has been updated to reflect Canadian grade letter scores.
IN DEPTH
Budget 2024 prioritizes housing while taxing highest earners, deficit projected at $39.8B
In an effort to level the playing field for young people, in the 2024 federal budget, the government is targeting Canada's highest earners with new taxes in order to help offset billions in new spending to enhance the country's housing supply and social supports.
'One of the greatest': Former prime minister Brian Mulroney commemorated at state funeral
Prominent Canadians, political leaders, and family members remembered former prime minister and Progressive Conservative titan Brian Mulroney as an ambitious and compassionate nation-builder at his state funeral on Saturday.
'Democracy requires constant vigilance' Trudeau testifies at inquiry into foreign election interference in Canada
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau testified Wednesday before the national public inquiry into foreign interference in Canada's electoral processes, following a day of testimony from top cabinet ministers about allegations of meddling in the 2019 and 2021 federal elections. Recap all the prime minister had to say.
As Poilievre sides with Smith on trans restrictions, former Conservative candidate says he's 'playing with fire'
Siding with Alberta Premier Danielle Smith on her proposed restrictions on transgender youth, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre confirmed Wednesday that he is against trans and non-binary minors using puberty blockers.
Supports for passengers, farmers, artists: 7 bills from MPs and Senators to watch in 2024
When parliamentarians return to Ottawa in a few weeks to kick off the 2024 sitting, there are a few bills from MPs and senators that will be worth keeping an eye on, from a 'gutted' proposal to offer a carbon tax break to farmers, to an initiative aimed at improving Canada's DNA data bank.
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 Don Martin: The doctor Trudeau dumped has a prescription for better health care
Political columnist Don Martin sat down with former federal health minister Jane Philpott, who's on a crusade to help fix Canada's broken health care system, and who declined to take any shots at the prime minister who dumped her from caucus.
opinion Don Martin: Trudeau's seeking shelter from the housing storm he helped create
While Justin Trudeau's recent housing announcements are generally drawing praise from experts, political columnist Don Martin argues there shouldn’t be any standing ovations for a prime minister who helped caused the problem in the first place.
opinion Don Martin: Poilievre has the field to himself as he races across the country to big crowds
It came to pass on Thursday evening that the confidentially predictable failure of the Official Opposition non-confidence motion went down with 204 Liberal, BQ and NDP nays to 116 Conservative yeas. But forcing Canada into a federal election campaign was never the point.
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
Independent stores and grocery alternatives see sales boost amid Loblaw boycott
As the month-long boycott of Loblaw-owned stores wears on, small independent food retailers and alternative grocery options say they're seeing a boost in traffic and sales.
Cannabis legalization coincided with uptick in ER visits from seniors: study
A new study has linked the legalization of cannabis with a rise in the number of Ontario seniors visiting emergency rooms.
Katy Perry sings goodbye to 'American Idol'
Katy Perry said her goodbyes on 'American Idol' after seven seasons. On Sunday night’s live 'idol' season finale, a medley of Perry's hit songs were performed, including 'Teenage Dream,' 'Dark Horse' and 'California Gurls.'
Oilers win Game 7 over Canucks, advance to Western Conference Final
The Edmonton Oilers weathered a late Vancouver Canucks charge on Monday night, beating the hosts 3-2 to win their seven-game second-round playoff series in the decisive showdown.
Microsoft's AI chatbot will 'recall' everything you do on a PC
Microsoft wants laptop users to get so comfortable with its artificial intelligence chatbot that it will remember everything you're doing on your computer and help figure out what you want to do next.
What is BORG drinking, and why is it a dangerous trend? An expert explains
If you've been to a party lately and haven't seen someone drinking a BORG, you're likely not partying with college students.
The world's best airline is paying staff a bonus of 8 months' salary
Singapore Airlines will reward its employees with a bonus worth nearly eight months of salary, a person familiar with the matter told CNN on Friday.
McGill says pro-Palestinian protest outside senior administrator's home 'crosses the line'
McGill University has denounced a pro-Palestinian protest held Sunday outside the home of one of its senior administrators.
Red Lobster probes 'endless shrimp' losses after bankruptcy filing
U.S.-based restaurant chain Red Lobster has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in a Florida court after securing $100 million in financing commitments from its existing lenders, the company said on Sunday.
Local Spotlight
VIDEO Born without front legs, this dog has been inspiring the world for 3 years: Dresden farm owner
A sanctuary dedicated to animals with disabilities is celebrating the third birthday of one of its most popular residents.
7-year-old Pokémon prodigy heading to Hawaii for world championship tournament
Catching 'em all with impressive speed, a 7-year-old boy from Windsor, Ont. who only started his competitive Pokémon journey seven months ago has already levelled up to compete at a world championship level.
From DVDs to rehearsals: Halifax theatre company transforms Video Difference building into arts hub
2b Theatre recently moved into the old Video Difference building, seeking to transform it into an artistic hub, meeting space, and temporary housing unit for visiting performers in Halifax.
'Another pair of eyes watching over me:' How a B.C. woman's service dog saved her from drowning
A B.C. woman says her service dog pulled her from a lake moments before she had a seizure, saving her life.
Starbucks fan on decades-long journey to visit every store in the world
A Starbucks fan — whose name is Winter — is visiting Canada on a purposeful journey that began with a random idea at one of the coffee chain's stores in Texas.
'Sacred work': Sask. First Nation learning how to conduct its own underground searches
Members of Piapot First Nation, students from the University of Winnipeg and various other professionals are learning new techniques that will hopefully be used for ground searches of potential unmarked grave sites in the future.
'It could mean a cure': Cautious optimism for groundbreaking ALS research at Western
ALS patient Mathew Brown said he’s hopeful for future ALS patients after news this week of research at Western University of a potential cure for ALS.
B.C. musician's song catches attention of Canucks
When Adam Kirschner wrote 'Slap Shot,' he never imagined the song would be embraced by his favourite team.
'We're on standby': Team ready to help entangled right whale in Gulf of St. Lawrence
A team is ready to help an entangled North Atlantic right whale in the Gulf of St. Lawrence.