A marriage of convenience?

Interim Conservative Party of Canada Leader Candice Bergen calls it “backdoor socialism” and a “power grab” by Justin Trudeau.

NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh says his party is using its power to help people now, when they need it.

But it remains to be seen whether the new relationship between the federal Liberals and the NDP, which took effect March 22, will be a boon for Canadians or lead to more spending that the country can’t afford, after two years of pandemic aid packages.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced that a confidence and supply agreement has been reached that would see the NDP back the Liberals in the House of Commons on key confidence votes, including federal budgets, in return for government movement on key NDP party planks.

The agreement would keep the Liberals in power until June 2025, with Trudeau free from any threat of a snap election being triggered between now and then.

To be clear, this is not a coalition government. The NDP will not have any representation in cabinet, and Trudeau pointed out both parties can still disagree and debate certain issues.

“We both believe firmly in Parliament’s role in keeping the government accountable…,” he said.

“We cannot let our differences stand in the way of delivering what Canadians deserve.”

The PM said the Liberals and the NDP started talking about collaboration shortly after the 2021 election, but the Russian invasion of Ukraine gave new urgency to those talks.

Asked by reporters if the arrangement reflects what Canadians actually voted for in the last election, Trudeau contended that in electing a minority government, people were sending a message that parties need to set aside their differences to do what’s right for Canadians.

Some opposition members argue that Canadians are now being presented with essentially an NDP/Liberal hybrid government that they did not choose, and one rooted in political opportunism.

A confidence and supply agreement is not unprecedented in Canada. In 2017, for example, in British Columbia, the Green Party and the NDP joined forces and defeated the incumbent Liberals in a confidence vote.

As part of the agreement, the government is expected to introduce free dental care for lowincome Canadians, with benefits for young children being rolled out this year and then expanding to other groups.

Canadians can also expect progress on the pharmacare front — not a full-fledged program, but measures that could make medicines more affordable through bulk buying.

Trudeau has also said their priorities include reaching climate crisis targets, moving forward with reconciliation with Indigenous peoples, and affordable housing.

As an alternative to the toxic partisanship we’ve seen on display in the House, a quid pro quo arrangement that offers Canadians three years of stability might prove to be a welcome change.

Or, it could lead to unfettered spending in an effort to placate unsettled voters — spending that taxpayers will bear the burden of long after Trudeau has left office.