While visiting Victoria, Canada’s NDP leader Jagmeet Singh made time to announce his plans to protect Canadian workers, and to fire shots at President Donald Trump over the most recent tariff threats.
Singh was joined by several Vancouver Island members of parliament, including Courtenay – Alberni MP Gord Johns, Victoria MP Laurel Collins, Cowichan—Malahat—Langford MP Alistair MacGregor and Maja Tait, NDP candidate for Esquimalt—Saanich—Sooke.
While meeting with these MPs at the Victoria Scottish Community Centre in View Royal, Singh revealed his vision for protecting Vancouver Island workers, their jobs and the island’s economy.
The NDP’s ‘Workers for Canada’ plan was created after consulting with labour leaders, progressive economists and expert advisors, according to the New Democrats.
This plan would potentially protect Canadians by providing better employment insurance, more protections against grocery price hikes and a plan to create jobs by pushing for more infrastructure and assets.
The assets Singh and his NDPs are eyeing include more home-building and shipbuilding here on Vancouver Island.
He wants to see this done using entirely Canadian-made products.
The NDP party says this would help Canadians’ independence and will help push back against Trump and his government’s tariffs.
“In the face of Trump’s illegal trade war and economic chaos, Canada needs leadership that puts workers, jobs and everyday people first,” said Singh.
“Let’s build, build, build—from hospitals to bridges to the affordable homes we need, and let’s do it using 100 per cent Canadian lumber and other BC-grown and B.C.-built products. Let’s create good, local jobs by investing in and diversifying Canada Wood and building up shipbuilding and maintenance capacity in BC.”
He added that keeping BC residents working is a priority to him, and he wants no one to struggle with putting food on the table or keeping the lights on.
Due to the chaos brought on by Trump’s tariffs, some BC businesses have already begun layoffs.
Singh says he believes he can be the one to take a hard stance against Trump when other federal party leaders cannot.
“Pierre Poilievre and the Conservatives will never stand up to Trump or jeopardize his endorsement from Elon Musk,” said Singh.
“I think that’s wrong. I think it’s time to fight like hell for Canadian workers.”
He added that since the Liberal leadership race, Prime Minister-elect Mark Carney hasn’t spoken up about how he will help workers.
“Carney’s still promising a capital gains tax cut for people earning $1.4 million a year – that’ll be paid for by working people,” said Singh.
“Now is not the time to hit working families – it’s time to have their backs.”
Singh is vying for his chance to win the upcoming election and the NDPs more present in the House of Commons.
Meanwhile Poilievre’s Conservatives are leading in most provinces and territories with Carney and the Liberals just behind them.
According to 338Canada, western Canada is leaning more Conservative, including BC, while the Liberals are leading polls in all eastern provinces.
