Divided New Democrats gathering in Ottawa to chart path to 2019 election
OTTAWA — New Democrats from across the country will begin gathering in the national capital on Thursday, hoping to lay the groundwork for victory in next year’s federal election — and to confront deep divisions and challenges within their party.
NDP leader Jagmeet Singh kicked off the festivities a few days early by laying out Tuesday what he wants to see in the Trudeau government’s federal budget, which will be unveiled Feb. 27.
The demands include a universal pharmacare program, more money for affordable housing, an end to boil-water advisories on First Nations and more protections for workers’ pensions when companies go bankrupt.
Singh has distanced himself from Tom Mulcair’s commitment that an NDP government would stick to a balanced budget, saying as recently as last week that he opposes “austerity” and supports stimulus funding when required.