Canadian political parties reach deal to keep Trudeau government in power until 2025

By Barry Ellsworth

TRENTON, Canada (AA) - Two political parties reached a tentative agreement that will see the Canadian minority government of Liberal Prime Minister Justin Trudeau remain in power until 2025, the premier announced Tuesday.

The deal means the minority New Democrat Party (NDP) will support the Liberals in exchange for the government implementing programs that the NDP has pushed for -- key measures being new universal dental care and drug coverage for Canadians.

At a news conference announcing the deal, Trudeau said Canadians want Ottawa to "get things done."

“We're different political parties, we stand for different things," said Trudeau. "But where we have common goals, we cannot let our differences stand in the way of delivering what Canadians deserve. That's why we're taking this step."

The NDP support means the government cannot be brought down by a non-confidence vote by the remaining opposition parties -- the Conservatives and Bloc Quebecois - to trigger an election. The Liberals and NDP have enough votes to ensure the safe passage of the next four federal budgets.

A federal election is usually scheduled every four years with the next one in 2025.

"Canadians need stability," Trudeau said.

Besides a national dental and drug plan, Trudeau said priorities agreed to by the Liberals and NDP include a bill of rights for first-time home buyers, 10 days paid sick leave for federal employees, moving forward on Indigenous peoples issues and measures to combat climate change.

The agreement does not create a coalition government since the NDP will not have a representative added to the federal Cabinet. Rather, it is called a confidence-and-supply agreement.

The deal angered Conservative Party leader Candice Bergen.

“This is an NDP-Liberal attempt at government by blackmail," she said. "Nation-building is replaced by vote-buying; secret deal-making over parliamentary debate; and opportunism over accountability."