Singh says NDP still hasn't decided whether to support Liberals' new budget

NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh said Monday his party still hasn't decided whether it will vote in favour of the federal budget introduced last week.

The New Democrats have an agreement in place to back the governing Liberal Party on confidence and budgetary votes in exchange for movement on key policy priorities.

The agreement is set to last until June of next year, but Singh has been coy on whetherhe supports the Liberals'most recent budget.

"We've not made that decision yet," Singh told a press conference Monday.

The budget does include items the NDP has been calling for, such as funding for a national pharmacare program and a school lunch program.

But Singh said he has a number of concerns about the budget. He citedwhat he described as inadequate funding for a national disability benefit.

"We've got to hear from the prime minister and the Liberals on what their response is to our concerns before we make a decision," he said.

Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland said Monday that she spokewith NDP finance critic Don Davies over the weekend.

"We have had good conversations with the NDP as we built the budget, all along the way," Freeland said during a press conference.

"I hope that MPs from every single party will support the essential investments in the budget."

The Conservatives, Bloc Qubcois and Green Party have all said they won't be supporting the budget.

The confidence-and-supply agreement between the Liberals and NDP says both parties are committed to "a guiding principle of 'no surprises.'" That includes a commitment from the Liberals to have ministers and public servants brief NDP members on certain policy matters, including the budget.

Singh has threatened to withdraw from the deal in the past. In late 2022 he threatened to walk away if the Liberals didn't increase investments in the health-care system.

Singh struck a similar tone earlier this year to pressure the Liberals into putting forward pharmacare legislation by the agreed upon March 1 deadline.