Leaders have been going after each other about social programs
NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh took aim at Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, saying Poilievre’s comments that he would keep programs like dental care and pharmacare were lies — pointing to the Conservative leader voting against the legislation. He said Poilievre is just playing politics ‘on the eve of an election.’
Earlier in the day, Poilievre said he would protect social programs brought in by the Liberals — including child care, pharmacare and dental care. The other major parties were quick with criticism.
“He is lying to you,” NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh said at a photo opportunity with the Canadian Union of Public Employees in Toronto.
“People like these programs and so he’s worried that if he comes out and says openly that he’s going to cut them people won’t actually like that — they’ll vote against it.”
Singh said Poilievre’s track record proved he wouldn’t protect the programs because he’d voted and railed against them in Parliament.
“You can’t trust a guy that has voted against a thing, said it is a bad thing and then on the eve of an election, says, ‘oh no, no I’m not going to cut it,'” the NDP leader said.
Former Liberal housing minister Sean Fraser also commented.
“Now that he realizes his position is unpopular, he shifts his principles altogether,” Fraser said. “This is not the hallmark of an honest campaign or a position that’s honestly held.”
