Federal New Democratic Party leader Jagmeet Singh is sick of antics from a select few of the country’s richest amid the struggle to make life more affordable for Canadians.
He shared his thoughts during a recent visit to Daily Hive’s Vancouver office for an interview, during which he discussed housing and the cost of living.
“What we need is real policy to build a fair society,” he said. “It should not be that you’re working a full-time job and you can’t afford a place to live.”
Singh is firmly anti-billionaire, saying more and more wealth in the hands of fewer people does not create a better society.
Canadian billionaire Chip Wilson, best known for founding Lululemon and owning the most expensive house in Vancouver, levelled some accusations during the recent provincial election that the BC NDP were communist. His preferred method of communication was a sign posted outside his Point Grey mansion.
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Singh called the notion “outlandish.”
Wilson’s thoughts on the BC election came closely after he was recognized with an unofficial City of Vancouver day of proclamation thanking him for his charitable donations. Some people, including Singh, were less than pleased to hear about Wilson’s pat on the back.
“I don’t think we need to reward billionaires in that way,” Singh said. “If someone wants to be philanthropic, be a philanthropist. Great, you know, donate. But what we really need is to make sure that the ultra-rich are actually contributing their fair share and that we can use that to build a fairer society.”
Housing and affordability key priorities for Singh
The leader of Canada’s most left-leaning political party believes the biggest challenge facing millennial and Gen Z Canadians is housing affordability — especially in big cities like Vancouver and Toronto.
“It just feels so crushing,” Singh told Daily Hive. “And there’s not even real options for rent. There’s just not a lot of places for people to go. And I feel a sense of despair. A sense of hopelessness.”
He believes the federal government should be more involved in building housing, similar to after World War II. More than one million “Strawberry Box” bungalows were constructed in the post-war period to meet housing demand from returning soldiers and pent-up economic activity. The federal government rebooted Canada’s WWII housing policy in December 2023.
The NDP also have a proposal to more strictly govern who owns affordable housing. The party believes banning corporate landlords from buying affordable housing could cool rents in Canada’s biggest cities.
“Even folks with decent jobs, they say, ‘I can’t afford to stay here. My family is here, my friends are here, my life is here. But I can’t build a life if I can’t have a place to call my own,’” Singh said. “It’s a real struggle. It’s something I really want to fix.”
Weak dollar, Trump government pose threats to Canadians’ wallets
There’s no denying many Canadians are having a tough time financially right now. Reports suggest Canadians are carrying more debt than ever before. Food prices have noticeably risen since the pandemic, with many Canadians cutting back on groceries and struggling with shrinkflation. In Vancouver, the income required to purchase the average home (not house — a condo) is double the median income in the city.
Singh believes Trump’s recent re-election south of the border could also mean challenges for Canadians.
“There’s a lot of uncertainty,” he said. “Just by threatening tariffs … our dollar dropped. And that will make it worse — a weaker dollar means it’ll be harder to buy fruits and vegetables.”
If Trump enacts policies that threaten Canadians, Singh wants politicians in Canada to fight back.
“The only thing a bully respects is strength. So we have to respond with strength,” he said. “I want folks to know I’m going to be doing everything I can to protect their jobs and Canadian interests.”
He’s encouraged by recent NDP wins of getting government to adopt universal pharmacare and dental care, and urged Canadians not to give up hope in tough times.
“Things can’t be done until you do them,” he said. “Together with folks … we can do things better.”