The minority government of Justin Trudeau and one of the main opposition parties on Friday announced an agreement on paid leave for people with Covid-19, which is expected to avoid an early election this fall in Canada.
The Prime Minister's Liberal government, a minority in the House of Commons, on Wednesday unveiled its policy platform, the
"Speech from the Throne,"
which includes new social measures to help Canadians weather the pandemic.
This speech will be submitted in a few weeks to a vote of confidence, for which Justin Trudeau needs the support of at least one opposition party to survive and avoid an early election this fall.
Read also: Trudeau weakened by an ethics and financial scandal
New Democratic Party (NDP, left) leader Jagmeet Singh announced on Friday that he had obtained the two measures he demanded to support the government: the extension of emergency aid to workers who have lost their jobs due to of Covid-19, and a guarantee of two weeks of paid leave for more workers.
These new provisions are part of a bill that will be debated in Parliament on Monday.
“If all these measures are found in the bill
(Monday)
, we will support it.
And yes, we will vote for the speech from the throne, ”
said Jagmeet Singh during a press briefing.
Read also: Coronavirus: Canada is preparing for a second wave
The latter hailed a
"historic"
advance
, which he said will allow "
millions"
of Canadians to benefit from paid vacation.
Justin Trudeau's Liberals have confirmed the deal, without disclosing details.
"We have an agreement with the NDP on a bill that will deliver the help people need,"
said Pablo Rodriguez, their leader in the Commons.
The conservative party (right) and the separatists of the Bloc Québécois have announced their intention to vote against the
“speech from the throne”
, placing the NDP in a position of strength to monetize its support for the Trudeau government.
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