ONTARIO—Carol Hughes, MP for Algoma-Manitoulin-Kapuskasing, congratulated Jagmeet Singh who has been chosen as the new party leader of the federal New Democratic Party of Canada. After over a year of campaigning, the New Democratic Party of Canada welcomes its the new leader.
“We had four very qualified, excellent candidates to choose from,” said Ms. Hughes. “It is a very exciting time for New Democrats across the country and I am really looking forward to working with Jagmeet.”
Charlie Angus, Niki Ashton, and Guy Carron also threw their hat in the ring, running for leader of the federal NDP. Mr. Singh took the leadership title on the first ballot, earning 53.8 percent of the vote.
“Jagmeet has dedicated many years to fighting discrimination and inequality both as a lawyer and as a Member of Provincial Parliament in the Ontario Legislature,” Ms. Hughes continued. “He will bring strength and renewal to our already strong team in the House of Commons.”
A total of 65,782 votes were cast, with Mr. Singh garnering 35,266 on the first ballot. The Ontario provincial politician beat northern Ontario MP Charlie Angus who garnered 12,705 votes, Niki Ashton with 11,374 votes and Quebec MP Guy Caron who had 6,164 votes. There were also 101 rejected votes and 172 abstained.
Mr. Singh told CBC News after the election that his party owed a debt to former leader Tom Mulcair whom he credited with helping the party through a difficult time after the passing of Jack Layton. He also thanked all of the campaign teams that helped him and the other candidates in the race.
Making reference to former federal party leaders Thomas Douglas, David Lewis, Audrey McLaughlin, Alexa McDonough, Jack Layton and Tom Mulcair, Mr. Singh promised to continue the NDP fight.
“From Tommy to David to Audrey, Alexa, Jack and Tom, and today, to all of us, we are the party that is building a better Canada. It is in us that you can see the future of our country and how great our country will be with a New Democratic government. Imagine what we can build together, all of us, in two years,” he told CBC News.
