This article was published in the National Observer on Friday, September 6th, 2024. Read the full article in the National Observer.
The NDP can more credibly present itself as that alternative. They can point to the gains Singh secured for the working class with the agreement and the stability of one of the longest minority governments in Canadian history: coverage for diabetes medication will be a life-changing win when rolled out, dental care for 2.3 million Canadian kids and seniors, and having the federal government finally get back to building new homes in cities across Canada, and, of course, anti-scab legislation.
Now, free from the agreement, the NDP can lean into its historic bread-and-butter roots of championing working-class people against corporate profiteering and a laissez-faire government.
With rising prices and grocery store boycotts, the NDP ought to revisit proposals that protect people against predictable shocks: price caps on essential groceries and removing political influence on the Competition Bureau. While the grocery giants will no doubt continue to influence Conservatives and Liberals into doing nothing, the NDP can take cues from Kamala Harris, who is resonating with U.S. working-class voters by calling for an end to price-gouging at grocery stores.
Jen Hassum is executive director of the Broadbent Institute.
WATCH: Jen Hassum's 2-minute explainer on what the end of the Parliamentary Supply and Confidence Agreement means for you.
