A recent poll indicates that only 40% of Canadians view the agreement between the Liberals and the NDP positively.

In March of 2022, the NDP promised to protect the Liberals from confidence votes and support for the Liberals’ fiscal policies in exchange for the Liberals to support some of the NDP’s initiatives, such as the recently announced federal dental care program that some provinces don’t even want.

Since then, 32% of respondents report a worsened view of Singh and his party, whereas only 20% hold a more favorable opinion now.

Conducted by Postmedia-Leger in June, the survey also reveals a nearly even split among Canadians regarding the deal’s impact, with 38% deeming it beneficial and 37% finding it detrimental. 25% are undecided even after two years.

Liberal supporters largely favour the arrangement, with 84% seeing it as advantageous for Canada. 

Among New Democrats, 60% approve, but a notable 40% are either unsure (29%) or outright disapprove (11%).

Pension in play?

Many speculate the NDP leader is steering clear of triggering a no confidence vote of PM Justin Trudeau, thereby forcing an election to be called, because Singh assumes the election results will be so humiliating that he’ll have to step down — and he doesn’t want this to happen before 2025 because that’s when his pension kicks in.

Singh was recently asked if he’d scrap the agreement, to which he replied: “Right now that is not a decision we’re making today.” 

The NDP leader further said his dental plan, announced in coalition with the Liberals, needs work. 

“We’re going to force the government to fix those flaws,” he said.

According to 338Canada, if an election were held today, the NDP would win 17% of the vote, in third place behind the Liberals (24%) and the Conservatives (42%).