Close X
Thursday, November 28, 2024
ADVT 
National

Liberal-NDP deal buys time for next Tory leader

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 22 Mar, 2022 01:00 PM
  • Liberal-NDP deal buys time for next Tory leader

OTTAWA - A new agreement between the federal Liberal government and New Democrats has something important to offer the next Conservative leader: Time.

The deal, set to last until 2025, sees the NDP pledge not to vote to bring down the minority Liberal government, in exchange for working together on shared priorities.

With the Conservatives set to pick their new leader Sept. 10, the party would have more than two years to prepare to face Canadians in a general election, assuming the Liberal-NDP deal holds.

That is longer than former leader Erin O'Toole had when he was elected to the party's top job.

He was chosen in August 2020 and on the campaign trail one year later.

Conservative campaign strategist Michael Diamond says if the Liberal-NDP deal lasts until 2025, it provides an easier path to victory for the next Conservative leader.

He says the extra time also likely means candidates running without a seat in the House of Commons, like former Quebec premier Jean Charest and Brampton, Ont., Mayor Patrick Brown, have one less thing to worry about.

Shakir Chambers, who helped Doug Ford's Progressive Conservatives win Ontario's 2018 election, says the substance of the Liberal-NDP deal does, however, provide a challenge for the next Conservative leader when it comes to making promises of restrained spending.

He says the agreement inks in structural spending, like long-term funding for child-care deals, which will be hard to walk back.

"Nobody wants you to take away those goodies," he said.

MORE National ARTICLES

Industry demands end to COVID-19 travel testing as eased restrictions take effect

Industry demands end to COVID-19 travel testing as eased restrictions take effect
At a Monday news conference at the Calgary airport hosted by the Canadian Travel and Tourism Roundtable, WestJet communications vice-president Richard Bartrem said the carrier's flight volume remains at half of its 2019 level of roughly 700 trips per day.

Industry demands end to COVID-19 travel testing as eased restrictions take effect

Man sentenced to 25 years for child sexual abuse

Man sentenced to 25 years for child sexual abuse
The Seattle Times reports Brandan L. Wilkins pleaded guilty in February 2021 to enticing a minor, traveling with the intent to engage in a sexual act with a minor and possessing and receiving child pornography. Wilkins was a Transit Security Administration agent at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport and has been in custody since his arrest in 2018.

Man sentenced to 25 years for child sexual abuse

Canada welcomes Ukrainians temporarily

Canada welcomes Ukrainians temporarily
Immigration Minister Sean Fraser says Ukrainians fleeing Russian aggression can find a safe haven in Canada using expedited temporary visas for emergency travel. The minister also announced a new reunification program for Ukrainians with family in Canada and wish to come on a permanent basis.

Canada welcomes Ukrainians temporarily

Two arrested, one handgun seized following traffic stop

Two arrested, one handgun seized following traffic stop
As the driver attempted to flee, he dropped a loaded handgun as he was running away from police. SGET officers took possession of the suspected firearm. The passenger was arrested a short distance away with assistance from the Metro Vancouver Transit Police.

Two arrested, one handgun seized following traffic stop

Ukraine war raises issues for energy sector

Ukraine war raises issues for energy sector
Russia's invasion of a sovereign European nation has had wide-ranging energy implications, and is now being used as ammunition by oil and gas sector proponents who offer it as proof that Canada must grow its domestic fossil fuel sector if it wants to ensure energy security.

Ukraine war raises issues for energy sector

442 COVID19 cases for Wednesday

442 COVID19 cases for Wednesday
There are 517 individuals hospitalized with COVID-19 and 73 are in intensive care. In the past 24 hours, 10 new deaths have been reported, for an overall total of 2,883.    

442 COVID19 cases for Wednesday