The acting leader of the New Democratic Party (NDP) Don Davies asserted on Monday that despite not being granted official party status, the party will still have a significant impact in this Parliament.
According to Government House leader Steven MacKinnon, the NDP will not receive official party status due to the requirement that a party must hold a minimum of 12 seats to be recognized.
Following last month’s election, the NDP’s representation was reduced to just seven seats.
Lacking official party status means the NDP will be unable to pose daily questions during question period, won’t have guaranteed positions on standing committees, and will miss out on financial support allocated to recognized parties.
Addressing reporters at Parliament Hill, Davies highlighted that in a minority government setup, a party with seven seats holds a significant balance of power.
“I believe we can make a profoundly important impact in this Parliament,” he stated. “I see a genuine opportunity for us to advocate progressive policies and hold the government accountable, something challenging in a majority Parliament.”
When asked about committee seats, Davies mentioned ongoing “productive discussions” with other parties on the matter.
He emphasized the NDP’s focus on acquiring resources and maintaining their offices.
“We are a national party with 1.2 million voters supporting us, and it’s crucial that we have the necessary resources to fulfill our responsibilities,” he explained.
Davies informed The Canadian Press that he has engaged with the Prime Minister’s Office regarding obtaining official party status for the NDP in the House of Commons. He referenced instances where opposition parties were granted party status in provincial legislatures.
He stated that the criteria for official party status have been revised before to align with the Parliament’s composition.
“We have raised this issue, but the government doesn’t seem inclined. Our primary concern is securing the resources essential for effectively representing the voices of Canadians in the House of Commons,” he added.
The NDP previously lost official party status in the 1993 election but successfully reclaimed it in the 1997 polls.
