A Liberal MP took aim at the federal New Democrats on the final day of the House of Commons’ spring session, calling the party “more and more irrelevant” as MPs departed for their 12-week summer recess.Liberal MP Kevin Lamoureux (Winnipeg North), parliamentary secretary to the Government House Leader, made the remark Friday while reflecting on the results of the April 28 federal election, which reduced the NDP to just seven seats — their worst showing since 1935.“Let us be very clear,” Lamoureux told the Commons. “The New Democrats are becoming more and more irrelevant for the simple fact they are not putting Canadians first.”.Despite the reduced caucus, NDP leader Don Davies said the party remained committed to advocating for working people.“We certainly made a strong impact in this Parliament,” Davies said. “We’re going to continue to hold this government to account, to fight for progressive values and policies that help working families across this country.”Prime Minister Mark Carney has ruled out any formal cooperation agreement with the NDP, saying on May 2 he had no interest in reviving the 2022 Supply and Confidence Agreement that had kept the Liberal minority government afloat through the 44th Parliament..“Will you be pursuing a formal governing pact of any kind with the NDP?” a reporter asked. “No,” Carney replied. Pressed for an explanation, he simply responded: “Why? That’s my answer.”Former NDP leader Jagmeet Singh had pledged to honour the supply agreement even as polls showed his party losing support. In the end, Singh was defeated in his own Burnaby Central, B.C. riding by more than 12,000 votes. At its peak in 2011, the NDP held 103 seats in the House.Singh’s final campaign message was one of frustration with both the Liberals and the state of the country. “They are done with Trudeau and they are frustrated with the Liberal Party,” Singh said at the time. “And they have got reason to be.”
