NDP leader Jagmeet Singh ushers in new era

Ottawa, Ont. – October 12, 2017 – After a long and grueling leadership campaign, Ontario MPP Jagmeet Singh has been elected as the new leader of Canada’s NDP.

Jagmeet won the leadership race with over 53 percent of the vote on the first ballot. His three competitors – Charlie Angus, Niki Ashton, and Guy Caron – were excellent candidates who brought many thoughtful and progressive ideas to the forefront during the leadership campaign. But it was Jagmeet’s team that created the most excitement and energy.

Singh managed to sign up 47,000 new members while raising nearly $700,000, which allowed his campaign to dominate in both Ontario and British Columbia. His team was young and enthusiastic, and they succeeded in attracting a whole new generation of NDP organizers who are ready to work on campaigns in 2019.

Not only did Singh’s campaign sign up the most new members – it also turned them out to vote. Now, his victory is re-energizing the NDP and is providing the perfect foil to the current Prime Minster, who seems to be backing away from campaign promises on a daily basis.

With the amazing NDP Caucus in Ottawa holding the government to account and taking care of business in the House of Commons, Jagmeet will now begin travelling the country to introduce himself to voters and sell his vision for a more equitable Canada.

UFCW Canada was proud to endorse Jagmeet for leader during the leadership campaign, and our union is confident that when Canadians get to know him, they will see a young, dynamic, charismatic, and intelligent leader who is ready to grow the NDP and form government in 2019. With Jagmeet at the helm, the future looks bright for the party, and Canada may have its first-ever social democratic government in the not-too-distant future.