North Island-Powell River MP Rachel Blaney is in favour of the supply and confidence agreement reached between the federal NDP and the Liberal government on March 22 in Ottawa.
According to a media release from Blaney, NDP leader Jagmeet Singh announced an agreement called Delivering for Canadians Now, A Supply and Confidence Agreement.
The release stated that the agreement will have the government deliver on key NDP platform policies including dental care, pharmacare, a care guarantee for seniors, significant investments in affordable housing and Indigenous housing, phasing out fossil fuel subsidies, support for workers whose sectors are changing, and anti-scab legislation. In return the NDP agrees to support the government in key confidence votes until the end of this four-year-election cycle.
Blaney calls the agreement “a meaningful win for the lives of Canadians.”
“In my time as MP I’ve heard from so many constituents about what a difference dental care would make in their lives, about their fears that we’re not doing enough to fight climate change, their concern for their elders in care, or the struggles to find appropriate housing they can afford,” stated Blaney. “This agreement gets results for people.”
Blaney stated that she has previously held a virtual town hall on dental care with NDP health critic Don Davies, and advocates from the industry, and received hundreds of stories from residents in response.
As NDP critic for seniors, Blaney has long advocated for a national seniors strategy, including guaranteed standards of care for long-term care residents. In 2016, and again in 2021, Blaney introduced a private member’s bill on the right to safe and affordable housing.
“These are issues we have been fighting for and have campaigned on for years,” stated Blaney. “Delivering on these policies will leave a legacy that makes our country stronger and more fair for all of us.”
