Jagmeet Singh’s NDP eager to keep fighting for Canadians as Parliament resumes

While Justin Trudeau focuses on triggering an election, the NDP wants urgent help for Canadians amid the second wave of COVID-19

OTTAWA – As Parliament reconvenes, NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh says he will focus on getting help for Canadians who have been struggling to get through this second wave of COVID-19. Justin Trudeau’s Liberals have failed to deliver urgent help to people. While they’re focussed on forcing Canadians into an election, the NDP wants access to paid sick days for people who need it to stop the spread of the virus.

“This isn’t the time for an election. The Liberals should be focussed on saving lives,” said Singh. “We know that most cases are coming from workplaces. Just last week, a 19-year old young man, one of many essential workers in long-term care, died from contracting COVID-19. This is devastating and could have been avoided if paid sick days were made more accessible. The Liberals are failing workers. This cannot go on. Workers need support now.”

In this parliamentary session, the NDP will focus on faster access to the vaccine for people. When the Liberals announced that Canada was finally getting the vaccine, Canadians felt relieved that an end was coming to this horror story. Unfortunately, the Liberals’ vaccine roll-out isn’t rolling out fast enough and seems to be much behind other countries. And while Canadians are forced to wait, people are dying. Cases in long-term care are on the rise – families are losing their loved ones. A recent report revealed that for-profit long-term care residences in Ontario have 78% more COVID-19 deaths than non-profits.

“Families across Canada are mourning the loss of their loved ones in long-term care homes,” said Singh. “Profiting off the neglect of our seniors is wrong, and it cannot remain the norm in this country. The Liberals have done nothing to protect the most vulnerable people from the virus. Profits have no place in the care of people. New Democrat will keep fighting until profits are out of long-term care.”