OTTAWA - The NDP will support Prime Minister Stephen Harper's government in a confidence vote if the Tories introduce a promised bill extending EI benefits.
NDP Deputy Leader Thomas Mulcair outlined his party’s position Wednesday, saying the NDP caucus will only vote confidence in the Tories to keep Parliament working long enough to get the new EI money out the door.
“A billion dollars — if it’s confirmed in committee — for 190,000 people. As far as we are concerned, is a step in the right direction for what we’ve been asking for,” said Mulcair.
“We are not going to do anything to block that money and an election campaign would definitely block it. That money wouldn’t flow to those families who need it.”
Mulcair also said the NDP will be joining forces with the Bloc Quebecois and the Conservatives on Friday to pass a budget bill, staving off the possibility of a fall election that could have kicked off as early as this week.
The bill is easy for the NDP to support, Mulcair said, because it contains the popular home renovation tax credit that many families are counting on.
The Bloc announced Tuesday it would support the budget bill but has not said whether it would support the Liberals if they choose to introduce a non-confidence motion early next month.
Liberal leader Michael Ignatieff pounced on the news the NDP was joining with the Bloc to support the Conservatives, insisting both party leaders now had some explaining to do to their supporters.
Speaking in French, Ignatieff said: “It’s quite amusing to be accused of forming a coalition. Now we see that the Conservative-reformist party is supported by the NPD and the Bloc. I think Mr. Layton should explain to workers, should explain to people, why that is coherent with his previous positions. Mr Duceppe, the same thing.”
