Readout: Jagmeet Singh speaks with Senator Bernie Sanders

OTTAWA—Today, NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh met with U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders via video chat.

 

Sanders and Singh discussed President-elect Donald Trump’s threats to impose tariffs on Canadian products, and the impact that Trump’s taxes would have on working people on both sides of the border. Both Sanders and Singh agreed that Trump is focused on paying for massive tax cuts for billionaires and corporations, not protecting the interests of working and middle-class people, who are already struggling to make ends meet.

 

The pair discussed the outrageous growth of wealth and income inequality in their respective countries, and the rising cost of living, including the cost of housing. They condemned proposals from both America’s Trump and Canada’s Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre to provide more tax breaks for the very wealthiest people. 

 

Sanders and Singh each expressed solidarity with trade unions, and discussed the need to bring together unions from both sides of the border to protect good-paying jobs and fight for the rights of workers.

 

Singh raised his concern that political leaders put themselves forward as fighters, but take actions that harm jobs and raise costs. Sanders pointed out that professing false support for the working class is a historic tactic of demagogues who really seek only more concentrated power and wealth, and that it’s the job of progressive leaders like Singh to fight back to stop massive wealth inequality from getting worse.

 

Sanders also expressed his admiration for Canadian medicare, and the pair discussed the importance of protecting the free and universal Canadian health care system. Sanders emphasized that the United States spends twice as much per person while still charging Americans for health care, causing people to delay or avoid care with devastating consequences. Sanders and Singh agreed to work cooperatively to fight against cuts and privatization threats to Canadian health care, and to show Americans that there’s a better way: a universal health care system that guarantees that every child receives the care they need, regardless of their parents’ income. 

 

Singh shared an update on the NDP’s Dental Care and Pharmacare plans. Sanders congratulated Singh on the achievement, and they agreed that dental care is a critical part of health care.

 

Sanders and Singh discussed the need for international cooperation and cultural exchange. They agreed to continue working together to protect jobs, address the cost of living crisis, and make life better for everyday people.