Dear constituents,

It is my greatest honour of my life to serve the good people of Edmonton Griesbach and to bring your stories, dreams, and hopes to Ottawa. This summer, my team and I heard from you, whether that was at your doorstep, a community event, or one of our BBQs we hosted. I wanted you to know I hear you. I got into politics to help people; I deeply believe Parliament needs to work for everyday people. A good opposition not only opposes bad policies but proposes and creates good ones.

From dental care to anti-scab legislation, New Democrats have always put Canadians first, but we need more from our federal government.

That is why I wanted to update you on the Supply and Confidence Agreement the NDP signed with the Liberal government in 2022.

With the support of Canadians across the country, the NDP has delivered:

• Dental coverage for millions of people – the largest expansion of Canadian public health care in generations.
• Access for birth control and diabetes medication for all Canadians.
• Funding through the Early Learning and Child Care Act to lower the cost of child care for families.
• Anti-scab and sustainable jobs legislation to protect workers, and more.

All of these measures were opposed by status-quo successive Liberal and Conservative governments until the NDP used our power to force the Liberal government to enact them. We listened to Canadians and carried their priorities forward to Parliament, reaching this agreement with the government to demand better for our constituents.

But the truth is, people are losing hope. I’ve heard from so many people who work hard and look out for their neighbours but are falling further behind while CEOs and big corporations continue to make record profits. Our country is at a crossroads, and we need to choose what type of country we want to live in – one that values hard work and puts people first, or one that caves to the interests of rich CEOs.

That’s why New Democrats have decided to end the Supply and Confidence Agreement after two and a half years.

While we secured historic investments and programs for Canadians with this agreement, it is no longer in the best interest of the country to continue with it. Justin Trudeau has proven again and again that he will never stand up to the elites and will always cave to corporate greed. The Liberal government is too weak and too selfish to bring the change Canadians desperately need. The cost: we pay for their inaction with higher utility bills, higher grocery costs, and higher rent and mortgages as the richest in Canada get even richer.

Meanwhile, Conservative policies would leave Canadians in an even worse financial position. We know this because Danielle Smith and the UCP have shown the damages of cut-and-gut policies. Pierre Poilievre is more of the same. Cuts to health care, pensions, and other services people rely on will only put us further behind – all while he funnels those savings into massive handouts for already profitable corporations instead of returning them to taxpayers. That is not the Canada I know, where we help others in need and put the interests of everyday people ahead of CEOs and big corporations.

While Liberals and Conservatives team up to shut down grocery price caps and deny workers their Charter right to bargain for better wages and safer working conditions, the NDP is focused on policies that benefit Canadians. As Parliament resumes this fall, we will continue to put people first and fight for policies that get you and your family ahead: fixing health care, building affordable homes, and stopping price gouging. We will take it one vote at a time, keeping the best interest of Canadians at heart.

There is no room for big corporations in government – they’ve had their time; now it’s the people’s time for a government that works for them. Don’t let them tell you it can’t be done.

In solidarity,

Blake Desjarlais
Member of Parliament, 
Edmonton Griesbach

Phone: 780-495-3261 
Email: Blake.Desjarlais@parl.gc.ca