Jagmeet Singh, leader of the New Democratic Party, spoke before caucus in Ottawa on March 29, 2023. (The Canadian Press/Adrian Wyld)
The federal budget has failed to fulfill one of the promises made in the Liberals’ agreement with the NDP for 2023. This agreement mandates the introduction of legislation for a pharmacare system by the end of the year in exchange for the NDP’s support on important votes. While both parties have said the legislation is still on schedule, it remains unclear when a pharmacare system will be operational. NDP leader, Jagmeet Singh, claims that the Liberals had only promised a legislative framework when the agreement was made. Tuesday’s federal budget did include the introduction of a new dental care program, which Singh considers a win, but critics argue that if the budget were truly NDP-inspired, it would include money for pharmacare.