The next federal election in 2019 will be one to watch with Jagmeet Singh now at the helm of the NDP, according to New Westminster-Burnaby MP Peter Julian.
Singh claimed victory on Sunday on first ballot with 35,266 votes, or 53.8 per cent. His closest rival, Charlie Angus, came in second with 12,705 votes.
Julian, who entered the leadership race but bowed out after failing to bring in enough donations, endorsed Singh.
“He has really shown the ability to get people very enthusiastic about the NDP and the possibility for change,” said Julian, adding the member of the Ontario legislature managed to sign up nearly 50,000 new members during his campaign.
The MP said he expects a shakeup when Canadians go to the polls in less than two years.
“He is somebody who wants to change the country for the better, coming from the poverty that he experienced as a child. I think it’s really important when we look at some of the issues we are seeing in (Burnaby) and across the Lower Mainland – a housing crisis, an affordability crisis, which means many people are either on the street or in danger of losing their homes, and he understands that. He understands and wants to make those changes,” Julian said.
“When we contrast it with the federal government, Mr. Trudeau is a nice guy, but comes from a very wealthy background and doesn’t have that same understanding of what regular families are going through. Certainly, my sense is here in Ottawa, the Liberals understand that this is a game changer.”
Kennedy Stewart, NDP MP for Burnaby South, who also endorsed Singh, agreed.
“I am thrilled Jagmeet is our new leader. He brings energy and a fresh new face to our party that puts us in excellent shape to challenge the Liberals and Conservatives in 2019,” he wrote in an email to the NOW.
Singh, a former criminal defence lawyer, is the first person of colour to lead a major federal party. The 38-year-old Sikh was born in Scarborough, Ont., and is the oldest of three kids.
He replaces outgoing leader Thomas Mulcair, who took over the NDP reins in 2012 after Jack Layton’s death.
Singh is without a seat in the House of Commons.
Former federal NDP leaders Alexa McDonough and Layton were both “able to build for major breakthroughs with our party” after being elected, said Julian.
“Neither of them took a seat after they were elected leader. They waited until the subsequent federal election.
“It was wise, I think, from two points of view. First off, it helped Alexa and Jack build the slate of candidates that allowed us to go to the next level. There was a lot of work that needed to be done preparing for the election and talking to Canadians, hearing from people right across the country. Jagmeet is prepared to do that.”
