NDP's leadership race narrows to five contenders ahead of March vote

A fresh start for the NDP as five hopefuls battle for the top job. Who will lead the party's comeback after its 2021 election setback?

, and Administrator

2026 January 30 . 5:42 AM

1 min read

The image shows a group of people standing in front of a crowd of people, some of whom are raising... — The image shows a group of people standing in front of a crowd of people, some of whom are raising their hands in celebration. On the table in the center of the image, there is a board with text on it, a microphone with a stand, and flags. Behind the people, there are curtains, suggesting that the scene is taking place in a formal setting. The text on the board reads "Ontario Premier Doug Ford and his supporters at a campaign event in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, on Tuesday, October 29, 2019".

NDP's leadership race narrows to five contenders ahead of March vote

The NDP has confirmed five candidates for its leadership election, set to conclude at the end of March. The race began after Jagmeet Singh stepped down following the party's defeat in the 2021 federal election. Party president Mary Shortall welcomed the contenders, thanking them for bringing fresh ideas to the table.

Singh resigned as leader after the NDP lost official party status in Parliament. His departure triggered the leadership contest, which will culminate at the national convention in Winnipeg.

The five final candidates are Rob Ashton, Tanille Johnston, Avi Lewis, Heather McPherson, and Tony McQuail. Each has met the party's requirements to stand in the election.

A debate is scheduled for February in B.C.'s Lower Mainland, giving members a chance to hear from the hopefuls. The new leader will be announced at the convention in late March, marking the next chapter for the NDP.

The NDP's leadership race follows a period of change after the 2021 election setback. With five candidates now in the running, the party will choose its next leader at the Winnipeg convention. The result will determine who guides the NDP into its next political phase.