Despite news that the NDP has stepped away from its supply and confidence deal with the Liberals, which helped keep the minority government in power, Elizabeth May, the Green Party MP for Saanich-Gulf Islands, is confident that it will be business as usual in Parliament.

鈥淭his doesn't change anything dramatically,鈥� said May. 鈥淚t does not mean we have an election right away 鈥� it might move it up to late summer 2025 instead of fall 2025, but I wouldn't bet on it.鈥�

鈥淣either Singh nor Trudeau are keen to go to the polls anytime soon,鈥� she added.

NDP leader Jagmeet Singh announced the decision to rip up the deal with the Liberals, first made in March 2022, on Wednesday (Sept. 4).

The NDP鈥檚 decision was triggered by Labour Minister Steve MacKinnon鈥檚 decision to use his powers to end the labour dispute that brought chaos to Canada鈥檚 rail network in August.

"That was an unusual thing to do, and it would certainly raise the ire of an NDP core base that supports trade unions,鈥� said May. 鈥淚 can't believe that Steve MacKinnon did that, but he's a novice labour minister."

The NDP has said moving forward it will determine how to vote on Liberal legislation on a case-by-case basis.

鈥淭he NDP has just increased bargaining power with the Liberals by not being presumed to be a committed 'dancing partner' no matter what,鈥� said May, adding that she is looking forward to a minority Parliament that has to work together."

鈥淭he normal course of things is that you negotiate and bargain, day-by-day, deal-by-deal, vote-by-vote,鈥� she said.

鈥淲ho does Justin Trudeau need to succeed a confidence vote? Does he need the NDP? No,鈥� May added. 鈥淗aving served in a number of minority parliaments with different governments, both Conservative and Liberal, you end up having different 鈥榙ance partners鈥� each day. It means more cooperation, and that's why I like minority parliaments, frankly ... some fluidity in who's voting with who to avoid an election.鈥�