NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh says he’s not yet ready to say whether his group will support the federal budget, citing a need for more “clarity” on whether the Liberals intend to address concerns around the Canadian benefits program. due to disability.
Speaking to reporters in Parliament on Monday, as MPs resumed debate on financial plans for 2024, Singh said that while his group “fought hard” to ensure the budget included help for Canadians, such as new protections for tenants, a national school feeding program, and diabetes and contraceptive coverage, the government did not do enough in other areas.
Specifically, Singh said he has expressed concerns to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau – with whom he has an ongoing confidence-and-supply agreement aimed at supporting the Liberals in confidence votes such as budgets, in exchange for political progress – about two elements. of the budget that “were not adequate.”
One has to do with failure to respect indigenous rights and the Jordan Principle, and the other is what many disability advocates have criticized as a paltry amount of monthly funding promised for the new Canada Disability Benefit, and fears related to the potential for interjurisdictional conflicts. recoveries.
The government has allocated $6.1 billion over six years and $1.4 billion ongoing for this new benefit, providing a maximum benefit amount of $2,400 per year or, as stakeholders quickly realized, just $200 per month or $6.66 per day.
Singh said Monday that after speaking with Trudeau, “some progress” was made and “some compromises were provided” on his sticking points, but there are still “some outstanding issues before we make our final decision on the budget.”
The Conservative, Bloc Quebecois and Green caucuses have already said they would vote against the Liberals’ federal spending plan for 2024. Without NDP support, the Liberals won’t have the numbers to survive the vote and could face the prospect of fall of the government.
Under the bipartisan pact, both sides have agreed to a “no surprises” approach to these major votes, and while Singh has also mulled whether his party could support other past big votes without incremental improvements, ultimately his party has always been on the side. agreement.
Pressed for details on what’s behind his party’s continued coverage, Singh said that while he was hesitant to negotiate publicly, it appears the Liberals are “not signaling any intention to increase the amount.”
“We know that people in the disability community have raised this concern. I know the Liberals have heard those same concerns, so we will continue to fight for a fairer amount,” Singh said, adding that there has been more movement to offer assurances that Concerns about recovery will be addressed.
“I think people who are making a profit, which is already very small, should at least know and have confidence that it won’t be recovered… or will somehow become obsolete or not really effective because of a change in the amount received at the provincial level,” Singh said.
“That’s wrong. That shouldn’t happen. And with the New Democrats forcing the government, we’re hopeful we can reach a solution.”
On Monday, Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland defended the benefit as a “milestone,” although she noted it was “just the first step.”
“We recognize there is more to do, including working carefully with the provinces and territories, and we are going to do it,” Freeland said.