Liberal-NDP Supply and Confidence Agreement Defines Hopes for an Increasingly Progressive Agenda
Ottawa, ON – March 22, 2022 – The Canadian Association of Social Workers (CASW) today applauds the agreement reached between the Liberal Party of Canada (LPC) and the New Democratic Party (NDP) of Canada to work together on a progressive health and social agenda for this country.
Titled Delivering for Canadians Now, A Supply and Confidence Agreement, the agreement will see the NDP support the Liberal government in confidence votes through the next four budgets, until 2025, in exchange for the LPC’s support on some existing NDP priorities including dental care for low-income Canadians and universal pharmacare.
“We are so pleased to see this collaboration, and cooperation, toward a healthier and fairer future for everyone in Canada,” said CASW President, Joan Davis-Whelan. “The best outcomes are created when partisan differences can be set aside in favour of supporting just, sound policy.”
In addition to priorities for a better healthcare system, the agreement also promises to support making life more affordable through housing and childcare, taking on climate change, changes to employment and taxation to better support workers, and many aspects of reconciliation.
“Many of the elements of this agreement have been long-standing CASW advocacy priorities and we are pleased to see them included – but a few key pieces are missing” said Davis-Whelan. “To truly advance the progressive agenda the LPC and NDP are championing through this collaboration, they must work together to demonstrate that poverty is a trap that can be escaped by ethically piloting a Universal Guaranteed Basic Income in communities across Canada. But most of all, they must address the elephant in the room: that inflation is fast outpacing the 3% yearly increase to the Canada Social Transfer.”
The Canada Social Transfer (CST) is the federal transfer to the provinces and territories intended to support social services, which is currently increased at 3% a year. However, with Canada’s rate of inflation currently sitting close to 6%, CASW is concerned that the important plans in this agreement will be undone by a woefully underfunded social system. “The LPC’s and NDP’s plans must include a serious conversation about transfers and inflation in this country,” added Davis-Whelan.
Today’s announcement marks an exciting and promising moment in Canada’s history. “We hope the LPC and NDP used their shared strength to invite – not shy away from – bold and novel options as we move forward through 2025,” concluded Davis-Whelan.
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For more information
Fred Phelps, MSW, RSW – CASW Executive Director
fred.phelps@casw-acts.ca