The pain of having teeth pulled and gums prodded for denture fittings was followed by relief at the payment counter: The $4,000 worth of work would cost Ron Brydges nothing under Canada’s new national dental care program.
“This dental plan being free was just a godsend,” said Mr. Brydges, 84, a retired industrial mechanic in St. Catharines, Ontario.
For that, Canadians largely have the leftist New Democratic Party to thank.
Subsidized dental care is among several social programs, including a national drug plan and protections for striking workers, promoted in recent years by the New Democrats that have augmented Canada’s reputation on the global stage as a liberal bastion.
“I view all these things as investments in people, not expenses,” said Mr. Brydges, a New Democrat supporter. “It makes us a better country.”
However, the New Democrats are currently facing significant challenges, with questions about the party’s future as Canada approaches national elections on April 28 amid a rupture with the United States, its neighbor and closest ally.
The resignation of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and President Trump’s economic policies have triggered a political shift, leaving the New Democrats, led by Jagmeet Singh, with declining support.
As the country prepares to elect a new prime minister, voters are considering who is best equipped to defend Canada against the United States, with polls indicating that Mr. Singh is not a viable option, prompting many longtime supporters to consider other parties.
Defectors from the New Democrats are likely to support Mark Carney of the Liberal Party, who is in a close race against Pierre Poilievre, the leader of the Conservative Party.
Some Canadians express concern that the New Democratic Party’s diminishing influence could undermine the country’s core liberal values on issues such as health care, immigration, and climate change.
Conversely, the New Democrats have faced criticism from Conservative politicians and others who argue that tax increases to fund social programs could hinder Canada’s struggling economy.
The New Democratic Party has a history of producing influential political leaders, including Tommy Douglas, the father of universal health care, and has played a role in expanding welfare programs.
“They provide a kind of moral compass,” said a lifelong supporter of the New Democrats. She believes that Mr. Carney, a former central banker, is the right candidate to confront Mr. Trump and navigate Canada through economic challenges.
Mr. Singh, who became the New Democrats’ leader in 2017, is notable for his distinctive appearance, wearing a turban and carrying a kirpan, reflecting his Sikh faith. He has openly discussed his personal history, including experiences of abuse, and has a background as a criminal lawyer.
At 46, Mr. Singh was seen as a likable candidate in the last national election in 2021, particularly among younger voters, drawing comparisons to prominent American liberal politicians.
After Mr. Trudeau was re-elected in 2021 without a majority, he and Mr. Singh formed an agreement to combine seats for legislative support. However, the New Democrats ended this pact last September, marking a pivotal moment that contributed to Mr. Trudeau's resignation.
Current public opinion polls indicate support for the New Democrats in the single digits, with projections suggesting a potential decline in parliamentary representation from 24 seats to below 12, which would disqualify the party as an official national entity.
Despite these challenges, some strategists argue that polling does not fully capture the party's potential performance on Election Day, citing past instances where the New Democrats exceeded expectations in provincial elections.
On the campaign trail, the party can highlight various social programs and laws it has advanced, including the national dental plan that enrolls 3.5 million Canadians, which the New Democrats describe as the “largest expansion of free Canadian health care in generations.”
Under Mr. Singh’s leadership, the New Democrats also advocated for a law prohibiting the use of replacement employees during strikes in federally-regulated workplaces and introduced a drug plan that provides certain medications at no cost.
However, because these achievements were made in collaboration with Mr. Trudeau’s government, the Liberals also claim credit, complicating the narrative for voters.
Political analysts note that explaining these distinctions can be detrimental to the party's appeal, as the adage goes, “When you’re explaining, you’re losing.”