NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh says he will not vote to bring down the Liberal government in a non-confidence vote until the House of Commons has passed legislation to support Canadians impacted by U.S. tariffs.
“With the urgency of what we’re up against, the seriousness of the impact on our economy, on workers, the threat to workers’ jobs, the increase in the cost of living, we want to see protections in place first and an election second,” Singh said during a press conference in Ottawa on March 7.
The NDP leader said the 25 percent tariffs imposed by the United States amounted to “probably one of the worst economic attacks our country has ever experienced,” and said Parliament needed to respond with “that same urgency.”
He said Parliament needed to be recalled early from its prorogation, set to end on March 24, so that legislation could be passed to support workers.
Singh added that his support for related legislation would depend on it going toward “working people” and not supporting “tax cuts for billionaires.” He said such a plan should also focus on creating more jobs in Canada, investing in infrastructure projects, and making changes to employment insurance so “it can be there for workers whenever they need it.”
U.S. President Donald Trump announced on March 6 a one-month pause of 25 percent tariffs on all products compliant with the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). Around 40 percent of Canadian goods are covered by the agreement.
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Trump has also vowed to impose 25 percent tariffs on all imports of steel and aluminum on March 12, as well as reciprocal tariffs on countries that trade with the United States on April 2.
He also announced on March 7 that reciprocal tariffs on Canadian lumber and dairy would come on “as early as today” or by March 11.
Singh had previously pledged in December 2024 that he would table a non-confidence motion to bring down the minority Liberal government.
After Prime Minister Justin Trudeau prorogued Parliament on Jan. 6 and announced he would step down once a new Liberal leader was chosen, Singh reiterated on Jan. 20 that he would vote against the government “at the earliest occasion.”
A week later on Jan. 28, Singh said he was open to working with the Liberals to pass a support package for Canadians impacted by U.S. tariffs. Singh said he was still going to vote against the government “at the earliest opportunity,” but that he also wanted to discuss an aid package with opposition leaders.
The NDP entered into a supply-and-confidence agreement with the Liberals in 2021, under which it supported the governing party in key confidence votes in exchange for legislation sought by the NDP. Singh ended that agreement in September 2024, saying his party would decide how to vote on future confidence motions on a case-by-case basis.
The NDP then voted to support the Liberal Party in three subsequent non-confidence motions introduced by the Tories, who have repeatedly called for an early election. Since the Liberals have 153 seats in the House of Commons, the 119 Conservative MPs would need the support of the 33 Bloc Québécois and 25 NDP MPs to achieve a majority of 169 votes for a successful non-confidence motion.
When Parliament resumes from its prorogation after a new Liberal leader is chosen on March 9, that leader could still decide to ask Gov.-Gen. Mary Simon to again dissolve parliament for an early election.
