Knowing that the Liberals have little appetite for an election over the coming year, the NDP is looking to push the government for more policy concessions, party sources tell Radio-Canada.
In terms of getting policy concessions and pushing for new social programs like daycare, pharmaceuticals, dental, etc., the supply-and-confidence agreement has been successful to various degrees. However, is it a political success? Election day will ultimately answer that, but my hunch is no.
When Canadians slowly get access to their Canada Dental Benefit for the first time, what is the likelihood that they will be thinking, “Thank Jagmeet Singh and the NDP”? I’d wager that most who have that thought, are already NDP voters who are aware of the NDP’s efforts on that front. It’s quite likely that people will either not attribute this program to any party in particular, or even worse (if you are the NDP), will attribute it to Trudeau and the Liberals.
Hence, I’m not sure this strategy is a net-win for the NDP. They might help Canadians, which is nice, but I suspect it will be short lived.