Since the 2021 election, there’s been no safer bet in Canadian politics than wagering that Jagmeet Singh would ultimately back the Liberal Party. With Justin Trudeau stepping down as leader, we shouldn’t take for granted that this dynamic is necessarily going to change. Singh has repeatedly demonstrated a willingness to compromise his stated principles in exchange for concessions—or even the appearance of influence. Now the stage is set for a new Liberal leader to test this pattern.
We have been told however this time is different. In late December, Singh proclaimed in an open letter to Canadians, “The Liberals don’t deserve another chance. That’s why the NDP will vote to bring this government down. No matter who is leading the Liberal Party, this government’s time is up.”
At first glance, this appeared to signal a definitive break from his past parliamentary behaviour. Yet, as with previous proclamations, the devil may prove to be in the details. Singh’s language—notably his vague commitment to action in “the next sitting of the House of Commons”—has left room for delay and negotiation. His track record shows that this ambiguity is not accidental; it’s strategic—one might describe it as strategic acquiescence.
Singh’s repeated decisions to support Liberal governments have made him, in many ways, their most reliable ally. Even as dissent grew within the Liberal ranks and Trudeau’s leadership faced internal criticism, Singh remained silent, offering the Liberals the time and space they needed to regroup. NDP MP Charlie Angus even went so far as to dismiss calls for a non-confidence vote, saying he wouldn’t play into Conservative “games.” Such statements underscore the reality: Singh’s rhetoric often serves as cover for inaction.
Consider Singh’s record. Since September, when he theatrically claimed to have “ripped up” the supply-and-confidence agreement with the Liberals, Singh has voted confidence in the government eight times. This is on top of the 11 confidence votes prior to that agreement and the 267 times he has propped up the Trudeau government since 2021. The total? A staggering 286 votes of confidence. Each vote represented an opportunity for Singh to stand on principle—and each time he chose not to.
Why should we assume that such a pattern won’t continue? With Trudeau’s departure, a new Liberal leader now has an opportunity to leverage Singh’s political malleability. To entice the NDP’s continued support, the Liberals could offer token policy concessions—perhaps a superficial gesture on housing or a modest increase in corporate taxes. They could even offer the NDP cabinet seats, electoral reform, or direct support for the financially struggling NDP.
Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau, left, and NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh, take part in the federal election English-language Leaders debate in Gatineau, Que., on Thursday, Sept. 9, 2021. Adrian Wyld/The Canadian Press.
We shouldn’t assume that such offerings would fall on deaf ears. Singh has previously demonstrated his willingness to keep an unpopular Liberal government afloat, and the Liberal Party appears more than willing to let taxpayers foot the bill for whatever ransom the NDP demands.
This could lead to the most unexpected scenario of all: the NDP collaborating with the Liberals to amend Canada’s fixed election date law, allowing this government to extend its term to a full five years. Such a move would no doubt be controversial, but what do the Liberals and NDP have to lose?
It’s also worth questioning Singh’s personal motivations. The critical date for his MP pension eligibility is fast approaching—February 27, 2025, to be exact—barely meeting the required six-year threshold under parliamentary rules. Critics have speculated that Singh’s ongoing support for the Liberals may be less about policy and more about securing his own financial future. However, the irony is clear: the longer he props up the Liberals, the longer his potential pension payouts could grow.
The cost of this transactional politics is undoubtedly high. Progressive voters who once believed in Singh’s promise of systemic change have grown disillusioned. His party’s fortunes remain stagnant, tethered to a Liberal government increasingly seen as out of touch and ineffective. Singh’s willingness to enable Liberal mismanagement has not only eroded trust in his leadership but also failed to advance the progressive agenda he claims to champion.
As the Liberals transition to new leadership, Singh’s willingness to deal remains a critical yet underappreciated factor in Canadian politics. Singh could be weaker than ever because he is so willing to support an unpopular Liberal Party, and that mutual weakness Singh refuses to break from could keep this partnership going even longer.
Canadians deserve better than this political theatre. They deserve leaders who act on principle and prioritize the needs of their constituents over their own political survival. Singh’s legacy—propping up a struggling Liberal government—serves as a cautionary tale. For those seeking genuine accountability and meaningful change, the choice is clear: it’s time to look beyond the tired alliance of convenience between the Liberals and the NDP.
