"You can't understand someone until you've walked a mile in their shoes."
Without a doubt, it's a fitting aphorism for Jagmeet Singh, leader of Canada's New Democratic Party, whose story as a young man identifies with Canadians today, and in particular, residents in Singh's Burnaby South riding, especially young families.
He understands plenty of the same struggles from their perspective. He goes beyond just seeing their outlook—he can fully comprehend their position because he's experienced how they're feeling.
Singh was first elected to the Burnaby South riding in 2019 during a byelection, after he was elected party leader, but his early years—weren’t easy.
The son of Indian immigrants from Punjab, Singh grew up in Ontario with his sister and brother, and at twenty-years-old, worked three jobs while going to Western University, (and later, graduated law school, ultimately, practising as a criminal defence lawyer).
He stepped up to provide for his family, due to his father's alcohol addiction and inability to work, leaving Singh no choice but to take in his 15-year-old brother, Gurratan.
"I know what it's like to struggle to put food on the table," recalls Singh. "I had to keep a roof over our head, and remember how difficult it was to take care of us both on those salaries."
While he and his mother floundered financially, they couldn't afford care for his father. "I really believe in universal public health care because the publicly-funded rehab centre saved his life."
To add to their anxiety, Singh vividly remembers creditors on their heels. "I know that fear of someone threatening to take our home away—and did, for a time. All those struggles inform why I care about: affordable housing, public health care, and people earning enough to support themselves and their family."
"My teenage brother was never full and ate a lot. His friend's mother sent us bags of perogies, filled our freezer, actually. Her generosity made a big impact, especially when my pay cheque wasn't covering enough."
To that end, one of his proudest achievements has been delivering for his Burnaby neighbours and people across the country, relief from inflation with a grocery and GST rebate, in July 2023. "For families that are just getting by, a little break can be a huge relief; almost 11 million people received it."
Additionally, Singh and the NDP Caucus delivered the greatest expansion of universal health care in generations, with the creation of a new dental care program in December 2022, and concrete steps towards national pharmacare.
"To be able to serve has been one of the greatest joys and pride of my life. My mom taught us that we're all connected, and we're truly thriving when we take care of the people around us and lift them up."
As a local champion, Singh participates in and hosts community events, and works tirelessly for Burnaby residents, for instance, assisting with federal government related issues, especially immigration work (like visas for family members), something he helps dozens of constituents with each week.
"Having had a real impact in two minority governments, I'm really motivated to keep on running. I want to become the next Prime Minister of this country to make life better for people, and I'm so thankful for the support and love that Burnaby has shown me."
To learn more about Jagmeet Singh, visit jagmeetsingh.ndp.ca.
