Justin Trudeau’s latest catastrophe puts an enormous weight on the shoulders of New Democratic Party leader Jagmeet Singh. It also represents a character-testing challenge and an opportunity — or perhaps we should call it a duty — to perform the sort of service to the country he was elected to provide.

It’s very simple. The NDP leader needs to indicate that the next time a vote of confidence in the government is called, his party will join the Conservatives and Bloc Quebecois in withholding its support. That would bring a merciful end to the painful mix of farce and ineptitude that has been on display in Ottawa at a time Canada desperately needs a serious-minded administration to face challenges that are advancing on all sides. While Singh called on Monday for Trudeau to resign, it’s not enough. He has the ability to all but force him out, and should use it.