Will Conservatives cut health care spending?

This article is part of the Reality Check series by Canada's National Observer. Have a question for us? Reach out at [email protected].

Claim: Conservatives will cut dental care, childcare, workers' rights

Origin: NDP

NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh says the Conservatives will cut dental care, childcare, and workers' rights. 

On Wednesday, the NDP leader made a campaign stop in Winnipeg, and said Poilievre believes “you should weather a storm on your own,” and that he supports “cutting services that people need.”

Verdict: Misleading

When it comes to dental care and childcare, Poilievre has said he will “protect” the programs, and “nobody who has them will lose them.” He specifically said that “no one would lose their dental care.” He has not committed to expanding those programs, but he has talked about removing “red tape” around child care — though it’s unclear which regulations he would remove or change. 

When it comes to workers’ rights, things get a little stickier. Over a decade ago, as a Harper-era MP, Poilievre voted in favor of legislation like Bills C-377 and C-525, amending the labour code. He also voted to increase the eligibility age for Old Age Security. 

Today, however, Poilievre says his view has “evolved.”. He has pledged not to bring forward any anti-union legislation and he’s spoken publicly about supporting unionized workers. His campaign was also endorsed by at least two unions, Local 67 of Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters and the International Brotherhood of Boilermakers.

Poilievre is also endorsed by Merit Canada, a group representing non-unionized construction workers. In their endorsement, they praise Poilievre for his commitment to “turning around the national economy by cutting needless overregulation,” among other things. The 2023 CPC policy book lays out support for “right to work” legislation, which is usually anti-union. The policy goes on to say that this would allow for optional union membership, including in student unions.

The proposed legislation has been denounced by several unions, with CUPE calling a Conservative government a “disaster” for workers’ rights.