Interim NDP Leader Don Davies has confirmed that Liberal operatives are quietly reaching out to NDP Members of Parliament in an apparent effort to entice them to cross the floor, potentially handing Prime Minister Mark Carney a majority government.
While Davies acknowledged “feelers” had been put out, he expressed confidence in his caucus, stating that NDP MPs remain committed to the party despite recent electoral setbacks. “Our caucus is united. I’m confident our members will stay strong as New Democrats,” Davies told Global News.
The Liberal Party currently holds 169 seats in the House of Commons—just three short of the 172 needed for a majority. When pressed, the Prime Minister’s Office declined to comment on reports of direct outreach to NDP MPs.
Prime Minister Carney, at his first post-election press conference, ruled out a formal governing pact with the NDP, insisting his focus would be on advancing legislation aligned with the Liberal platform. However, former NDP MP Nathan Cullen believes Carney may be underestimating the strategic complexity of a minority government. “Eventually, he’ll realize working with the Bloc is unstable and costly. He’ll come calling,” Cullen predicted.
The NDP was dealt a historic blow in the recent election, losing official party status after dropping from 25 to just seven seats. The loss has triggered internal reflection and a pending leadership race following former leader Jagmeet Singh’s resignation after losing his own seat.
Davies emphasized the importance of ensuring all parties can function in Parliament, calling for fair resource allocation even for non-status parties. “This is a minority Parliament, and it’s in everyone’s interest to maintain a healthy democratic process,” he said.
While the NDP is not currently considering any formal alliance, Davies said the party is focused on rebuilding and learning from its missteps in the campaign. “We’re not satisfied, and we’re committed to doing better,” he said.