Mulcair will continue to serve as interim leader for the NDP
Tom Mulcair has received the unanimous support of his party following questions and “inner turmoil” in the New Democratic Party following the NDP’s party’s caucus last Thursday.
“In a world that can be a bit cold, it is very heartwarming to have the unanimous support of your colleagues,” Mulcair said following the event, according to CBC News.
However, Mulcair will only remain as leader until his permanent replacement is chosen in October 2017.
Mulcair emerged from the caucus meeting in British Columbia with Charlie Angus, the chair of the NDP.
“We are a united and unified caucus,” said Angus. “That was the question that was put to us when we came in, are you united? Well, I can’t speak before I meet all my colleagues, but I can speak today. Are we all united?”
The caucus replied “Yes” unanimously.
The NDP is currently coming off slumping poll numbers and worrisome fundraising since their underwhelming performance in last year’s election. The NDP saw many left-leaning voters opting for Trudeau’s Liberal government despite a surge in the NDP’s popularity during the past few years.
A forum research poll conducted by Nanos Research earlier this month revealed that the New Democrats had the support of only 11 per cent of Canadians.
“When we look at the polling data, what’s clear is that much of the past opportunity has basically fallen into the hands of the Liberals,” said Nik Nanos, the president of Nanos Research, one of Canada’s top polling firms.
Mulcair and the NDP discussed topics of identity and core values in the two day retreat that kicked-off last Wednesday.
“Those are our core values: environmentalism, pacifism, feminism, socialism,” Mulcair said to applause.
The caucus also sought to determine how to combat Trudeau and his Liberal government in the House of Commons. Furthermore, Mulcair has noted that he intends to hold Trudeau accountable to the election promises he made a year ago.
According to CBC News, Mulcair has said that the Liberals have failed to live up to several promises including repealing aspects of Bill C-51 (the anti-terrorism law), reforming the National Energy Board ahead of the Energy East pipeline hearings, and increasing funding for healthcare.
Canadian sales of armoured vehicles to Saudi Arabia was also a hot-button issue for Mulcair during the caucus.
“Selling arms made in Canada to one of the most repressive regimes, when we know that similar arms have already been used by that country to go against civilians, that’s shameful,” Mulcair said. “That’s why we fight.”
The NDP acknowledge that their position as leader of the opposition against the Conservatives has diminished. And their position in the House of Commons is not the same as last year when they started the tight three way race in September.
However, the New Democrats were optimistic and unified following the end of their caucus meeting.
“You know, Mr. Trudeau, he borrowed our platform,” said Angus in an article by CBC News. “We have a real opportunity to make him deliver the goods now.”
Photo courtesy of Canada’s NDP via CC BY-SA 2.0