New Democrats paid tribute to former NDP leader Jagmeet Singh on Friday, just ahead of the announcement of his successor. During the convention, former NDP MP Laurel Collins praised Singh for his transformative impact on the party. She highlighted his approach of facing challenges with courage and optimism, which led to tangible changes under his leadership.
Singh was recognized for being the first racialized Canadian to lead a major federal party and for advocating NDP priorities within the Liberal government. Notably, in 2022, Singh secured an agreement with Justin Trudeau to support the minority Liberal government on critical policies such as dental care, “anti-scab” legislation, and housing funding.
At the convention, several New Democrats emphasized Singh’s policy accomplishments as a significant part of his legacy, although opinions varied. Some members felt that Singh’s decisions could have been better communicated, as evidenced by a survey indicating mixed views on the NDP’s support for the Trudeau government.
Despite his policy successes, Singh struggled to translate them into electoral victories, resulting in the party returning only seven MPs to Parliament in the last election. Nonetheless, supporters like Toronto’s Charlie Fairbank acknowledged Singh’s role in influencing Trudeau on certain issues.
As the party prepares to select Singh’s successor, rebuilding and regaining trust from voters remain key challenges. The NDP faces ongoing polling difficulties and a substantial debt from the previous election. Five candidates have entered the leadership race, with a focus on core party values, grassroots organizing, and progressive communication strategies.
While the impact of a new leader on the party’s fortunes in the polls remains uncertain, the consensus is that a long-term strategy centered on grassroots engagement could lead to improvements over time.
