Canada has been thrown into a political crisis after Jagmeet Singh's New Democratic Party (NDP) withdrew its support to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's Liberal government, igniting speculation about the stability of Trudeau's administration and whether he will be able to weather the storm till elections in October 2025.
The NDP's support was crucial for the Liberal government, allowing it to maintain power through a confidence-and-supply agreement established in 2022.
This agreement was intended to last until June 2025, but Singh indicated that the decision to withdraw had been in the works for several weeks, suggesting a growing discontent with the Liberal government's performance on various promises, including healthcare reforms and affordability measures.
Nevertheless, Jagmeet's decision to pull NDP support from Trudeau's minority government came as a surprise.
In a video message, the Sikh leader criticised Trudeau for failing to address key issues affecting Canadians, particularly accusing him of succumbing to "corporate greed" and letting the public down.
Stating that he had "ripped up" the confidence-and-supply agreement with Trudeau's party, Singh said: "Justin Trudeau has proven again and again he will always cave to corporate greed.
The Liberals have let people down. They don't deserve another chance from Canadians."
What now for Trudeau govt?
With Singh pulling support, Trudeau's government now faces significant challenges.
Singh's withdrawal places the minority government at risk, as it will now need to seek support from other opposition parties, such as the Bloc Québécois, to survive confidence votes.
Trudeau expressed his focus on addressing the affordability crisis and other pressing issues, asserting that he hopes the next election will not occur until the fall of 2025.
He emphasised: "These are the things that we're focused on. I'll let others focus on politics".
However, the political landscape is fraught with uncertainty.
Polls indicate that the Conservatives, led by Pierre Poilievre, could secure a significant victory if elections were held imminently.
Singh's announcement has prompted calls from opposition leaders for immediate elections, further complicating the situation for Trudeau.
Singh-Trudeau partnership
Singh's political strategy has involved maintaining ties with various Khalistani groups and individuals, including pro-Khalistan musicians and activists.
His rise to leadership in the NDP coincided with a growing political alliance between the NDP and Justin Trudeau's Liberal Party, which has been accused of pandering to Khalistani voters to secure electoral support.
This partnership has led to accusations that Singh's influence has compelled Trudeau to adopt a more lenient stance towards Khalistani extremism.
Moreover, Singh's attendance at events like the Khalsa Day rally in Toronto, which featured pro-Khalistan chants and banners, had raised eyebrows. The event was attended by multiple political leaders, including Trudeau, and was criticised by the Indian government for allegedly allowing extremist sentiments to flourish unchecked.
Singh's association with Khalistani politics has roots that extend back to his early political career.
Shortly after becoming NDP leader in 2017, he faced scrutiny for his response to questions about Khalistani extremism, particularly regarding whether it was appropriate for Canadian gurdwaras to honor figures associated with violence against India, such as Talwinder Singh Parmar, the architect of the 1985 Air India bombing.
His evasive responses during interviews suggested a reluctance to distance himself from the Khalistani movement, which has historically been a contentious issue within Canadian politics.
Additionally, Singh's past experiences, including being denied a visa to India in 2013 due to alleged links with extremists, have shaped his political narrative. He claimed that this denial stemmed from his advocacy for justice regarding the anti-Sikh riots of 1984, which resonates with many in the Sikh community.
Did India's tough stance force Singh-Trudeau fallout?
The diplomatic relationship between India and Canada have significantly deteriorated due to New Delhi's firm stance against pro-Khalistani protests in Canada, particularly following allegations by Trudeau regarding India's involvement in the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.
In a notable tweet following Trudeau's allegations over Nijjar's assassination, Singh had said: "Today we learned of allegations that agents of the Indian government murdered Nijjar - a Canadian killed on Canadian soil ... To all Canadians, this is my vow. I will leave no stone unturned in the pursuit of justice."
Singh's party has been frequently criticised in Canadian politics for its perceived leniency towards Khalistani sentiments.
Trudeau's government has also faced domestic and global backlash for allegedly not taking a strong enough stance against these activities, which has led to internal political pressures.
The situation has been compounded by the broader implications for Canada's diplomatic relations, as Trudeau has also been criticised for potentially jeopardising ties with India, a key player in the global arena.
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