Burnaby South MP and NDP leader Jagmeet Singh held an online press conference on Monday, Jan. 6, 2025, in response to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s resignation. In his statement, Singh spoke about high housing and grocery costs, healthcare, the NDP’s pharmacare plan, and dental health for seniors. He also blamed the Liberal government for the rising cost of living and was critical of the Conservative Party under Pierre Poilievre.
Singh also mentioned US President-elect Donald Trump’s threats to Canada, including his threats to impose tariffs on Canadian products, saying that it puts thousands of Canadian jobs into question.
“They have let you down when it comes to the cost of homes. He’s let you down when it comes to the cost of living. And frankly, it’s not just Justin Trudeau; it’s every Liberal minister, every Liberal MP who looked down their nose at you when people were saying we can’t make ends meet. We are struggling with the cost of living,” Singh said. “We have another serious threat to the middle class in Canada, and that is Pierre Poilievre and the Conservatives. Pierre Poilievre and the Conservatives want to cut from the middle class to give to their rich CEO friends.”
Singh went on to say the Conservatives want to cut pensions, healthcare, and dental care. He also spoke about the NDP’s dental care plan for Canadian senior citizens.
“I remember meeting seniors in our country who told me that they are living in pain because they can’t fix their teeth, they can’t get their teeth looked after, and to hear heartbreaking stories from these seniors,” Singh said. “I promised those seniors that I would fight like hell to make sure they could actually get their teeth looked after.”
Singh said Poilievre and the Conservatives have courted wealthy billionaire CEOs for the past two years.
“In the past two years, he met with over 100 corporate lobbyists. He had fundraiser after fundraiser in wealthy mansions, $70-million mansions, where he made it clear who he’s going to work for, the billionaires, the richest CEOs, that’s who he wants to work for,” Singh said about Poilievre.
When asked what he thought Trudeau’s legacy as prime minister would be, Singh did not respond directly to the question and instead reiterated what he had said about the Liberals being the cause of the country’s high housing and living costs.
“One of the things that did stand out for me is how much Justin Trudeau was close to his family and to his kids, and I hope, now that he’s made this decision, that he’ll spend more time with his family,” Singh said.
In the last two years, the NDP has introduced anti-scab legislation to support unionized workers, pharmacare legislation, and free dental care for seniors, children under 18, and people with disabilities. Bill C-64, which became law in October 2024, represents the first phase of universal pharmacare for Canadians and currently provides free diabetes medication and contraception.