NDP vows to play important role despite losing official party status – National [Video]

Interim NDP Leader Don Davies said Monday the party will still play a “profoundly important role” in this Parliament, even though it won’t be granted official party status.

Government House leader Steven MacKinnon said Monday morning the NDP will not be granted official party status because the law says a party needs at least 12 seats to be recognized.

The NDP was reduced to just seven seats in last month’s election.

Without official party status, the NDP will not be allowed to ask daily questions in question period, will not be guaranteed seats on standing committees and will lose out on financial resources provided to recognized parties.

Speaking to reporters on Parliament Hill, Davies said that, in a minority government situation, any party that has seven seats “obviously has a balance of power.”

“I think that we’re going to be able to play a profoundly important role in …