‘Greedy politicians’: Doug Ford takes aim at Jagmeet Singh

Ontario Premier Doug Ford took shots at federal NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh Monday, saying he is a “greedy politician” who won’t try to force a federal election soon because “he wants his pension.”

The premier was asked during an unrelated press conference if the NDP decision to pull out of a pact with the Liberals might impact his decision on possibly calling an early provincial election.

Ford said in response that he doesn’t think Singh pulling out of the deal with the Liberals will result in a federal election any time soon.

“As far as I’m concerned, MP Singh, he’s just blowing smoke,” Ford said.

“There’s nothing more important to these greedy politicians than collecting a pension….

“I’ll be floored, and I’ll stand up here and apologize to all the greedy politicians if he calls the election early. But let’s face it: He wants his pension.”

The Bloc Québécois indicated this week that after the NDP pulled out of the agreement, it is willing to prop up the minority Trudeau government in exchange for moves it sees as gains for Quebec.

Conservatives have suggested Singh maintained the deal with the Liberals to secure his MP pension, which he will qualify for as early as February — six years since he was first elected as an MP. The next federal election isn’t scheduled until October 2025.

Ford mistakenly suggested Singh was first elected in October 2019 and would be eligible for a pension in October 2025.

The federal Conservative party released attack ads earlier this year with the tagline, “Sellout Singh. He gets his pension, you pay the price.”

The ads featured real photos of Singh wearing a luxury watch, carrying a Versace tote and driving a BMW.

The NDP called the ads a “dishonest personal attack” and tried to contrast Singh with Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre.

“The truth is, in their 20s, Pierre Poilievre was building up his multi-million-dollar MP pension, and Jagmeet was working for minimum wage to support himself and his teenage brother,” said Anne McGrath, principal secretary to the NDP leader.

“That is what motivates Jagmeet to fight for lower grocery prices, affordable home prices and dental care.”

But even now that the deal between the NDP and Liberals is finished, Ford said he doesn’t expect anything to change.

“There’s him and a whole bunch of other politicians that want to grab the taxpayers’ money. So my bet is he’s not doing anything. He’s just putting on a big show like he has for the last number of years there,” Ford said.

The NDP MP for Hamilton Centre, who is also the NDP ethics critic, released a brief statement in response to Ford’s comments on Singh.

“That’s pretty rich coming from Premier Ford who has built his entire career on the coat tails of his family’s last name and is now under criminal investigation for corruption,” Matthew Green said.

In terms of an Ontario election, Ford there won’t be one this year but he again left the door open to possibly heading to the polls earlier than the next fixed election date in June 2026.

“We haven’t made that decision yet,” he said.

— With files from The Canadian Press