NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh is embarking on a tour of Atlantic Canada to shed light on the affordability issues faced by voters and to potentially win two Liberal seats in the upcoming federal election. Singh aims to appeal to voters who are grappling with the rising cost of living by positioning his party as the true advocate for the working class. The NDP has already pushed for affordability initiatives through its confidence-and-supply agreement with the Liberals, such as dental care, a one-time rental supplement, and an increase in the GST rebate. Singh considers these initiatives as significant victories and wants to go further by making decisions that prioritize the interests of working people.
The party’s main targets for winning seats are St. John’s East in Newfoundland, previously a stronghold for the NDP, and Halifax, a riding that goes back and forth between the Liberals and New Democrats. These seats are seen as the easiest for the NDP to reclaim, according to Lori Turnbull, an associate professor of political science at Dalhousie University. Although New Democrats have been elected in the third constituency, St. John’s South-Mount Pearl, Turnbull believes it is unlikely that Labour Minister Seamus O’Regan will be unseated anytime soon.
Despite the Atlantic region traditionally favoring the Liberals, frustrations are growing due to the high cost of living, the housing crisis, and an aging population struggling with fixed incomes. Turnbull explains that as the incumbent party, the Liberals face criticism for not doing enough for the people. Singh and Conservative politician Pierre Poilievre have both acknowledged this sentiment during their visits to the region over the summer, focusing on ideas to make life more affordable.
Poilievre, in particular, has criticized the Liberal government’s clean fuel regulations, which are projected to raise gasoline prices by 6-13% by 2030. Energy boards in New Brunswick and Nova Scotia have already started passing these costs onto consumers, and Poilievre attributes the added expenses to Ottawa. Last month, the Council of Atlantic Premiers launched a campaign urging the federal government to reconsider the regulations, a stance that Poilievre supports.
During Singh’s visit to Atlantic Canada, he reminded people of how former Progressive Conservative premier Danny Williams launched a campaign against the federal Tories during the 2015 federal campaign, urging conservative voters to opt for “Anything But Conservative” (ABC). Turnbull recalls the negative language used by former Prime Minister Stephen Harper to refer to the Atlantic provinces, depicting them as economically depressed and embodying a culture of defeat. This dislike for Harper could work in Singh’s favor, especially considering Poilievre’s service in Harper’s cabinet.
Melanie Richer, a former director of communications for the federal New Democrats, highlights the challenge for the NDP in the coming months: reminding people of Harper conservatism and Poilievre’s involvement, while also showcasing the accomplishments achieved through the confidence-and-supply agreement. Richer believes this is an opportunity for Singh to emphasize the potential for even greater success if he were to have a seat at the decision-making table.
With the NDP and Conservatives criticizing the Liberals for their failure to address the current issues, every seat will be crucial in the upcoming federal election. As Turnbull points out, winning seats in regions that are not traditionally favorable or densely populated is crucial. Currently, there is no clear momentum in Canada for any particular party.
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