NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh has made it clear - he wants a federal election soon.
“Nothing changes around that. We are going to be voting down the government in March,” Singh said during a visit to Sault Ste. Marie on Thursday morning.
Singh was joined by several labour leaders at the USW District 6 hall on Dennis Street to speak out against U.S. President Donald Trump’s plan to slap 25 per cent tariffs on Canadian goods and the need for Canada to take counter measures to save jobs in the Sault and across Canada.
Singh wants the Liberal government to establish supports for Canadian workers affected by the tariffs before opposition parties move to bring down the government when Parliament is recalled.
“Let's put in place supports (for workers) before the worst happens. So I'm calling on the Liberal government to recall Parliament. Bring Parliament back.
"Let's pass legislation that supports workers because we're going to have an election in the spring. But there's still two months. If the Liberals think that they can wait two months before they bring in legislation, they are wrong. That would allow workers to suffer for two months. That is not the right way to do things,” Singh said.
The NDP leader said he is skeptical of the federal government’s promises to fight back against the U.S. tariffs.
“I'm concerned that Liberals are spinning people, making it seem like they care. If you're serious about supporting these workers, let's call Parliament back and get it done. But it does not seem to me that they're serious. I want these workers to get support. So I'm calling their bluff.
"I'm calling the bluff for the Liberals and saying, ‘let's get Parliament back. Let's get supports in place. Let's make sure these workers know that we've got their back. Let's put in place legislation to support them because we will be voting against the government at the end of March. We will be voting against the government at the end of March,” Singh said.