The war in Ukraine affects Canadian domestic politics.
Shortly before his departure for Europe, the liberal Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was able to reach an agreement with the social democratic "New Democrats" (NDP) and thus prevent another new election.
The NDP, led by Jagmeet Singh, which tolerates Trudeau's minority government, pledged not to block defense budget increases in the face of the Russian threat.
Majid Sattar
Political correspondent for North America based in Washington.
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In return, Trudeau promised the NDP social policy investments.
The prime minister now hopes to be able to continue in power until the summer of 2025.
The Liberals and the NDP are therefore still not forming a coalition.
Instead, they want to pursue their "common goals" with joint votes in parliament.
Trudeau: Canadians need stability
Trudeau received the most seats in the general election last September, but, as in 2019, missed an absolute majority.
Minority governments are not uncommon in Canada.
In most cases, however, the toleration agreements in the Ottawa Parliament do not apply for more than two years.
"With so much instability around us, Canadians need stability," Trudeau said Tuesday.
His Liberals and the NDP have many points of agreement.
They now wanted to work together in “important policy areas where we have similar goals”.
Jagmeet Singh also said: "In these extremely uncertain and difficult times, Canadians look to us to come together".
No one benefits if increasing polarization and a dysfunctional parliament stand in the way of Canadians achieving their goals.
Candice Bergen, interim leader of the Conservative Party, however, called the agreement between the Liberals and the NDP "a callous attempt by Trudeau to stay in power".
She accused him of “socialism through the back door”.