Canada’s Justin Trudeau strikes surprise deal to keep power until 2025
- The arrangement between his ruling Liberal Party and the New Democratic Party will help the PM tackle issues such as the climate crisis and housing shortage
- The ‘supply and confidence agreement’ does not create a formal coalition, but could enable Trudeau’s minority government to last its entire four-year term
Canada’s ruling Liberal Party and opposition New Democratic Party (NDP) have reached a surprise agreement that aims to keep the minority government in power until 2025, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said on Tuesday.
Governments with a minority of seats in parliament, like the one Trudeau now leads, tend to last an average of about two years, but this rare agreement could permit it to last the entire four-year term, Trudeau said.
“What this means is that during this uncertain time, the government can function with predictability and stability, present and implement budgets, and get things done for Canadians,” Trudeau said.
The two parties published a list of priorities they had agreed upon.
The Liberals agreed to back a national dental-care programme for low-income Canadians and to move forward on a national prescription-drug coverage programme, both cornerstone campaign pledges for the NDP.
The Liberals and New Democrats also said they would develop a plan to phase out financing for the fossil fuel sector, starting in 2022.
