This autumn, Canada’s New Democratic Party (NDP) will be holding a leadership election to replace its current federal leader, Tom Mulcair.
Following a crushing defeat in 2015, the NDP seeks to reinvigorate the party and return to its 2011 electoral success, which placed the NDP as Canada’s Official Opposition for the first time in its history.
The challenge for the party will be to find its identity as a left-wing alternative under a majority Liberal government. However, at a time of profound success for underdog politicians like Bernie Sanders and Jeremy Corbyn, an opening may have appeared for the NDP.
Although the registration deadline was on Aug. 17, NDP members will begin voting online and through the mail on Sept. 18. The results of the first ballot will be announced on Oct. 1, and a new leader will be elected by Oct. 15 at the very latest.
The four candidates running for leadership of the NDP are as follows:
1. Charlie Angus, MP, Timmins — James Bay
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Angus, a one-time punk rocker, sees Canada’s problems through the lens of a new working class, including the NDP’s blue-collar base and white-collar precarious workers.
2. Niki Ashton, MP, Churchill — Keewatinook Aski
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Ashton, who received an endorsement from the NDP Socialist Caucus, proposes to eliminate postsecondary tuition fees. Ashton’s vision for the NDP recognizes grassroots activism as the party’s lifeblood.
3. Guy Caron, MP, Rimouski — Neigette — Témiscouata — Les Basques
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Caron, a native Quebecer, offers victory through his home province, just as in the 2011 election cycle. Caron is the only candidate to propose a universal basic income policy.
4. Jagmeet Singh, MPP, Bramalea — Gore — Malton
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Singh offers NDP victory through the growth of a more inclusive party. Singh hopes to build support in southern Ontario, having signed up 47,000 new members to the NDP, many from Toronto and Hamilton.
Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.