New Democratic Party Leader Jagmeet Singh speaks in the Foyer of the House of Commons about the NSICOP report, on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, on June 13, 2024. NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh may hold they key to the timing of the next election now that he's axed his political pact with the Liberals, but strategists say that could prove to be both an asset and a liability. THE CANADIAN PRESS/ Patrick Doyle
OTTAWA – Jagmeet Singh is delivering a message of hope today in his first speech following the NDP’s exit from its supply and confidence deal with the minority Liberals.
But the NDP leader acknowledges one of the party’s biggest challenges will be persuading Canadians it can actually form government.
Singh says all his life he’s been told a New Democrat government is impossible.
He says those attacks serve the cost-cutting agenda of Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre and play into the hands of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who Singh calls too weak and ineffective to stop the Tories.
Singh says he wants a Canada with a thriving middle class, where every generation can afford a home and health care is there for families.
He also calls for an end to people getting ripped off by corporate greed.
“We’re a nation of people who take care of our neighbours. We’re a nation of builders. We’re a nation of believers,” Singh said Thursday.
“We will not let them tell us it can’t be done. Because if we are together, nothing is impossible.”
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 5, 2024.
