(Ottawa) About two weeks before Parliament resumes, the leader of the New Democratic Party, Jagmeet Singh, is showing signs of impatience. So much so that some are wondering if the agreement he reached with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, which must ensure the political survival of the minority Liberals in the House of Commons until June 2025, will hold up.
Posted at 5:00 a.m.
Mr. Singh, who has almost disappeared from the political radar since he concluded this agreement in March, launched a first warning shot in August by telling the daily Toronto Star that it would become null if the Trudeau government does not implement, as promised, the first part of a new national dental care program by the end of the year.
The dental plan would be restricted to families with incomes below $90,000 and individuals with annual incomes below $70,000. The scheme is to first cover people under 12 in 2022 and then expand to under 18s, seniors and people with disabilities in 2023. Full implementation is scheduled for 2025. , approximately nine million Canadians are expected to qualify for this program, once fully implemented, at an annual cost of $1.7 billion.
Normally, it would take two to three years of effort by the federal machine to set up such a program. Behind the scenes, Liberals are worried that they will expose themselves to criticism of fiscal mismanagement by moving forward with this program as quickly as the NDP demands.
But the NDP is adamant that the first foundations of the program be laid by the end of the year. “I made it clear to the Prime Minister that this program needed to see the light of day. There is no other option available [aux libéraux]. It has to happen. The deal is built on that,” Jagmeet Singh told the Toronto Star early August.
The issue of transfers
Last week, the NDP leader issued a second warning shot on a related issue: the increased role of the private sector in the delivery of health care. Like the Bloc Québécois, the NDP is urging the Trudeau government to increase transfers to the provinces at a time when the health care system is collapsing after two years of the COVID-19 pandemic. Staff shortages, exhausted workers, postponed operations, growing waiting lists: the ills afflicting the network are multiple. During the summer, emergency rooms had to be closed in several provinces, notably in Ontario.
For three years, the provinces have been calling for an increase in health transfers of some $28 billion per year. This increase would ensure that Ottawa pays 35% of the total bill related to the health care system in the country, compared to 22% today. But the Trudeau government continues to turn a deaf ear to this request, even though it has promised a few times that negotiations would take place on this subject once the pandemic is over.
In Ontario, Doug Ford’s government has decided to take the bull by the horns by opening the door further to the private sector. Patients will not have to pay for services, Health Minister Sylvia Jones has warned. They will only have to present their health insurance card. Mr. Ford recently met with his counterparts from the Atlantic provinces in Moncton, New Brunswick, to find solutions to the crisis.
For the leader of the NDP, this is a dangerous step towards the privatization of health care services.
“Universal public health care is being targeted by conservatives who want to turn health care into for-profit businesses. Meanwhile, the Liberals are unable to fix the recurring problems that prevent Canadians from getting the care they need,” he railed in a press release.
During the last election, Justin Trudeau promised he would improve and expand our health care system. Almost a year later, the toll is grim, as people who need care are still waiting.
Jagmeet Singh, leader of the New Democratic Party
Singh also stressed that Ottawa and the provinces should agree to more quickly recognize the credentials of doctors, nurses and specialists trained abroad to counter the shortage of personnel.
sacred heritage
The NDP caucus will meet in Halifax from September 7-10. The future of health care will be one of the main topics on the agenda. “The public and universal health care system is the legacy of Tommy Douglas. It’s sacred to us,” said The Press Deputy Leader of the NDP, Alexandre Boulerice.
“The NDP has always fought against the privatization of health care and public services. We also did it when it affected Quebec a few years ago. We will continue to do so. It is clear that we are going to stand up against this and we are going to put pressure on the Liberals to prevent right-wing Conservative prime ministers from axing our public services,” he added.
Could the future of the health care system cause the end of the agreement with the Liberals if Justin Trudeau refuses to inject new funds or intervene to curb the privatization momentum of some provincial premiers? Alexandre Boulerice refuses to comment. But this issue will be part of the discussions at the Halifax meeting. “The future of the health system is major. And for us, it is clear that the agreement with the Liberals is not a blank check,” he said.