2026 New Democratic Party leadership election: Difference between revisions

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Line 299: Line 299:

|title=Rob Ashton

|title=Rob Ashton

|list=

|list=

;Former Members of Parliament:

*[[Lauren Liu]], MP for [[Rivière-des-Mille-Îles (electoral district)|Rivière-des-Mille-Îles]] (2011–2015) <ref>https://x.com/Rob_T_E_Ashton/status/1993810565471588772</ref>

*[[Bonita Zarrillo]], MP for [[Port Moody—Coquitlam (federal electoral district)|Port Moody—Coquitlam]] (2021–2025)<ref>https://x.com/BonitaZarrillo/status/1980460000192655659</ref>

;Members of Provincial and Territorial Legislatures:

*[[Rohini Arora]], [[Legislative Assembly of British Columbia|MLA]] for [[Burnaby East]] (2024–present)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.instagram.com/p/DQNTxcfEnoW/|title=Honoured to have the endorsement of @rohiniarora.bc MLA for Burnaby East|date=October 24, 2025|website=Instagram}}</ref>

;Municipal politicians:

*Lukas Oakley, [[County of Brant]] Councillor for Ward 2 (2022–present)<ref>{{cite web |title=Lukas Oakley |url=https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1Ra7fsdtZp/ |access-date=November 19, 2025 |website=facebook.com |language=en}}</ref>

;Other prominent individuals:

*Marty Warren, [[United Steelworkers]] national director for Canada<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thestar.com/politics/federal/eat-the-rich-rob-ashton-joins-the-race-to-lead-federal-ndp/article_67db9cd2-fced-42bf-89f3-75a76c90d759.html|title=”Eat the rich”: Rob Ashton joins the race to lead federal NDP|first=Mark|last=Ramzy|date=October 1, 2025|website=Toronto Star}}</ref>

;Organizations:

;Organizations:

*[[United Steelworkers]]<ref name=”AshtonUSW”>{{cite web |last1=Seebruch |first1=Nick |title=United Steelworkers endorse Rob Ashton for NDP leader |url=https://rabble.ca/labour/united-steelworkers-endorse-rob-ashton-for-ndp-leader/ |website=rabble.ca |access-date=4 December 2025 |date=3 December 2025}}</ref>

*[[United Steelworkers]]<ref>https://www.facebook.com/reel/4177830289096599</ref>

}}

{{Endorsements box

|df=yes| title = Tanille Johnston

| list =

;Provincial and Territorial politicians:

*Ty Boulay, Vice-President of the [[New Brunswick New Democratic Party|New Brunswick NDP]], former President of the [[New Brunswick New Democratic Party|New Brunswick NDP]]<ref>https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=10235070599998427&set=ecnf.1008590954</ref>

*[[Eric Robinson (Canadian politician)]], former Deputy Premier of Manitoba,<ref>https://www.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=3518862108264517&id=100004222873737</ref>

;Other prominent individuals:

*Tony McQuail ”(second choice)”<ref>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gQO3d3pzI3U&t=822s</ref>

*Ji Won Jung, Co-National Organizer for Reclaim Canada’s NDP<ref>https://www.reclaimcanadasndp.ca/updates/statements</ref>

}}

}}

Line 326: Line 306:

|df=yes| title = Avi Lewis

|df=yes| title = Avi Lewis

| list =

| list =

;Former Members of Parliament:

*[[Libby Davies]], MP for [[Vancouver East (federal electoral district)|Vancouver East]] (1997–2015), Deputy Leader of the NDP (2007–2015)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eqIMrZmC5yI|title=Emergency Austerity Budget Town Hall w/ Avi Lewis and Libby Davies|date=November 5, 2025|via=YouTube}}</ref>

*[[Svend Robinson]], MP for [[Burnaby—Douglas]] (1979–2004), runner up in the [[1995 New Democratic Party leadership election|1995 leadership election]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://bsky.app/profile/svendrobinson.bsky.social/post/3lzavsevy6c2s|title=@svendrobinson.bsky.social on Bluesky}}</ref>

;Members of Provincial and Territorial Legislatures:

*[[Jessica Bell (politician)|Jessica Bell]], [[Legislative Assembly of Ontario|MPP]] for [[University—Rosedale (provincial electoral district)|University—Rosedale]] (2018–present)<ref>https://www.instagram.com/p/DRz5N3REov5/?hl=en&img_index=1</ref>

;Former Provincial and Territorial politicians:

;Former Provincial and Territorial politicians:

*[[Cheri DiNovo]], [[Legislative Assembly of Ontario|MPP]] for [[Parkdale—High Park (provincial electoral district)|Parkdale—High Park]] (2006–2017), withdrawn candidate in the [[2017 New Democratic Party leadership election|2017 leadership election]]<ref>https://x.com/CheriDiNovo/status/1995905007623836139?s=20/</ref>

*[[Joel Harden]], [[Legislative Assembly of Ontario|MPP]] for [[Ottawa Centre (provincial electoral district)|Ottawa Centre]] (2018–2025)<ref>https://x.com/JoelDHardenNDP/status/1969140136613962004</ref>

*[[Stephen Lewis]], Leader of the [[Ontario New Democratic Party]] (1970–1978), [[Leader of the Official Opposition (Ontario)|Leader of the Ontario Opposition]] (1975–1977), [[Legislative Assembly of Ontario|MPP]] for [[Scarborough West (provincial electoral district)|Scarborough West]] (1963–1978) ”(candidate’s father)”<ref>https://rabble.ca/politics/canadian-politics/avi-lewis-announces-candidacy-for-ndp-leadership/</ref>

*[[Stephen Lewis]], Leader of the [[Ontario New Democratic Party]] (1970–1978), [[Leader of the Official Opposition (Ontario)|Leader of the Ontario Opposition]] (1975–1977), [[Legislative Assembly of Ontario|MPP]] for [[Scarborough West (provincial electoral district)|Scarborough West]] (1963–1978) ”(candidate’s father)”<ref>https://rabble.ca/politics/canadian-politics/avi-lewis-announces-candidacy-for-ndp-leadership/</ref>

*[[Flor Marcelino]], Interim Leader of the [[Manitoba NDP]] (2016–2017), [[Legislative Assembly of Manitoba|MLA]] for [[Wellington (Manitoba provincial electoral district)|Wellington]] (2007–2019)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.instagram.com/p/DRQxbqukYCP/?img_index=1|title=Instagram|website=www.instagram.com}}</ref>

;Other prominent individuals:

*[[Anjali Appadurai]], candidate for [[Vancouver Granville]] (2021), disqualified candidate in the [[2022 British Columbia New Democratic Party leadership election|2022 BC NDP leadership election]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://act.lewisforleader.ca/organizercall|title=Mass Organizing Call with Naomi Klein and Anjali Appadurai – Lewis for Leader – National|website=act.lewisforleader.ca}}</ref>

*[[Rueben George]], author<ref>{{cite web |date=2025 |title=An endorsement from Chief Rueben George |url=https://youtube.com/shorts/0BV0BB_polQ?si=3RAXkep54xE55bwW |website= |location= |publisher= |access-date=2025-09-23}}</ref>

*[[Adel Iskandar]], media scholar and academic<ref name=”auto50″/>

*[[Naomi Klein]], author and filmmaker ”(candidate’s wife)”<ref name=”auto1″/>

*[[Nimâ Machouf]], NDP Quebec section co-president, epidemiologist and politician<ref>https://act.lewisforleader.ca/montreal-event</ref>

*[[Judy Rebick]], writer<ref name=”auto1″>{{cite web |date=2025 |title=Toronto Campaign Launch |url=https://act.lewisforleader.ca/toronto-campaign-launch |access-date=2025-09-23}}</ref>

*[[Ziya Tong]], television personality<ref name=”auto1″/>

*[[Cornel West]], philosopher and candidate in the [[2024 United States presidential election]]<ref name=”auto50″>{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=emKVLnvczsk|title=Mass Organizing Call for Avi Lewis with Naomi Klein, Anjali Appadurai, Adel Iskandar & Nas Yadollahi|date=October 15, 2025|via=YouTube}}</ref>

}}

}}

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|df=yes| title = Heather McPherson

|df=yes| title = Heather McPherson

| list =

| list =

;Former Members of Parliament

*[[Lisa Marie Barron]]<!–Last name is Barron, not Marie Barron–>, MP for [[Nanaimo—Ladysmith]] (2021–2025)<ref name=”McPhersonEndorsements”>{{cite web |title=Endorsements |url=https://www.heathermcpherson.ca/endorsements |website=Heather McPherson |access-date=14 November 2025}}</ref>

*[[Richard Cannings (British Columbia politician)|Richard Cannings]], MP for [[South Okanagan—West Kootenay]] (2015–2025)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.instagram.com/p/DQ7WMO7j5re/|title=Instagram|website=www.instagram.com}}</ref>

*[[Raymond Côté |Raymond Côté]], MP for [[Beauport—Limoilou]] (2011–2015)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.heathermcpherson.ca/endorsements|title=Endorsements|website=Heather McPherson for Leader of Canada’s NDP}}</ref>

*[[Leila Dance]], MP for [[Elmwood—Transcona]] (2024–2025)<ref>https://x.com/HMcPhersonNDP/status/1986947462435631531</ref>

*[[Carol Hughes (politician)|Carol Hughes]], MP for [[Algoma—Manitoulin—Kapuskasing]] (2008–2025)<ref> name=|url=https://www.facebook.com/HeatherMcPhersonNDPNPD/posts/pfbid035xZy2NeKDVVAh8VuPUVqwgwbp52seERv9NsfVP8MZNyKc9owCETfBMRNLUTnWBubl</ref>

;Provincial politicians

*[[Chandra Pasma]], [[Legislative Assembly of Ontario|MPP]] for [[Ottawa West—Nepean (provincial electoral district)|Ottawa West—Nepean]] (2022–present)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/ChandraPasma/posts/winning-seats-so-that-we-can-implement-policy-change-requires-on-the-ground-orga/1188057160086644/|title=Chandra Pasma – Winning seats so that we can implement…}}</ref>

*[[Kristyn Wong-Tam]], [[Legislative Assembly of Ontario|MPP]] for [[Toronto Centre (provincial electoral district)|Toronto Centre]] (2022–present)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.instagram.com/heathermacnow/p/DQ2HzdaD-gD/?img_index=2|title=Instagram|website=www.instagram.com}}</ref>

;Former Provincial and Territorial politicians:

;Former Provincial and Territorial politicians:

*[[Rachel Notley]], 17th [[Premier of Alberta]] (2015–2019), Leader of the [[Alberta New Democratic Party]] (2014–2024), MLA for [[Edmonton-Strathcona (provincial electoral district)|Edmonton-Strathcona]] (2008–2024)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/rachelnotley/posts/heather-mcpherson-my–amazing–member–of–parliament–has–always–been–impressive–she/1372647960892846/|title=Rachel Notley – Heather McPherson, my amazing Member of…}}</ref>

*[[Rachel Notley]], 17th [[Premier of Alberta]] (2015–2019), Leader of the [[Alberta New Democratic Party]] (2014–2024), MLA for [[Edmonton-Strathcona (provincial electoral district)|Edmonton-Strathcona]] (2008–2024)<ref>{{ web|url=https://www..com///heather-mcpherson———-/|= – }}</ref>

;Municipal politicians:

*Michael Janz, [[Edmonton]] City Councillor for Ward Papastew (2021–present)<ref>https://www.facebook.com/HeatherMcPhersonNDPNPD/posts/thankful-to-have-michaels-support-hes-a-committed-councillor-and-strong-fighter-/1353367713261691/</ref>

}}

{{Endorsements box

|df=yes| title = Tony McQuail

| list =

;Other prominent individuals:

*[[Tanille Johnston]] ”(second choice)”<ref>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yOaaPW61YFM&t=23440s</ref>

*Keith de Silvia-Legault, Co-National Organizer for Reclaim Canada’s NDP<ref>https://www.reclaimcanadasndp.ca/updates/statements</ref>

}}

{{Endorsements box

|df=yes

| title = Yves Engler ”(not an approved candidate)”

| list =

;Former Provincial and Territorial politicians:

*[[Cy Gonick]], [[Legislative Assembly of Manitoba|MLA]] for [[Crescentwood]] (1969–1973), founding editor of ”[[Canadian Dimension]]”<ref name=”englerendorse”>{{Cite web|url=https://yvesforndpleader.ca/testimonials/|title=TESTIMONIALS}}</ref>

;Other prominent individuals:

*[[Dimitri Lascaris]], runner up in the [[2020 Green Party of Canada leadership election]]<ref name=”englerendorse”/>

;Organizations:

*[[NDP Socialist Caucus]]<ref name=”:4″ />

}}

}}

Canadian political party election

2026 New Democratic Party leadership election
Registered TBD[a]

In 2026, the New Democratic Party will hold a leadership election to choose a permanent leader to replace Don Davies, who became leader on an interim basis following the resignation of Jagmeet Singh. Singh announced his resignation after being defeated in the 2025 Canadian federal election.[4]

Jagmeet Singh was elected as the leader of the New Democratic Party (NDP) in the 2017 leadership election.[5][6] He led the party in the 2019, 2021, and 2025 federal elections. On March 22, 2022, the NDP reached a confidence and supply agreement with the governing Liberal Party of Canada, agreeing to support the government until June 2025 in exchange for specific policy commitments.[7] On September 4, 2024, the NDP withdrew from their confidence-and-supply agreement with the Liberals, though they did not commit to a motion of non-confidence.[8]

While the NDP under Singh stagnated in most opinion polls following the 2021 federal election, the party experienced a brief jump in support to second place following the collapse of the governing Liberal Party, during the 2024–2025 political crisis. However, following Trudeau’s resignation in January and Mark Carney‘s election as Liberal leader, the NDP collapsed in most polls, with most of its support going to the Liberals.[9]

At the 2025 federal election, Singh led the NDP to its worst result in party history, both in seat count and popular vote, losing official party status and himself having been defeated in the riding of Burnaby Central. On election night, he announced that he would resign as party leader.[10][11] On May 5, 2025, he was replaced by Vancouver Kingsway MP Don Davies on an interim basis until a new party leader is elected.[12]

Under rules set out in the party’s constitution, every member is entitled to cast a secret ballot for the selection of the leader. The new leader will be chosen at a leadership convention through a combination of ranked ballots and round-by-round voting. If a leader is not chosen in the first round, additional vote counts will occur until a candidate obtains 50 per cent plus one vote and is declared the leader. Voters who chose to vote with an internet ballot will be allowed to change their vote at any time before the closure of the polls, including between each round of balloting.

Candidates will be required to pay a $100,000 entry fee, which will be due in four instalments,[3] and abide by a $1,500,000 spending limit. The $100,000 entrance fee has been roundly criticised, having been called “an anti-democratic barrier to participation”, “absurdly high”, and “an actual substantive barrier infinitely more notable and important than the distribution of types of signatures”.[13][14][15] The entrance fee marked a $70,000 increase over the prior $30,000 entrance fee in the 2017 NDP leadership election.[15] One quarter of all donations to candidates will be paid to the party. To be nominated, candidates require at least 500 signatures from party members, at least half of which must be from female-identified members and at least 100 from “other equity-seeking groups,” including Indigenous people, LGBTQIA2S+ people, persons with disabilities, and visible minorities. At least 50 signatures will be required from each of five regions: the Atlantic, Quebec, Ontario, the Prairies, and British Columbia/the North. In addition, 10 per cent of the signatures must come from Canada’s Young New Democrats. Members must join the party at least 60 days prior to the vote, an earlier eligibility cutoff compare to the 45 days prescribed by the rules of the 2017 contest and the 35 days in the 2012 contest.[16][17][18][19]

Because membership is controlled by provincial and territorial branches, the voting age varies from 12 to 14 years old, depending on where the member lives.[d][20][21]

Due to allegations of foreign interference in past Canadian federal leadership races, the party’s federal council announced in July 2025 that “strong regulations will govern the role of third parties in the race.”[22][23]

Following the party’s poor election showing, several commentators and party members pointed to organizational and strategic shortcomings, including leadership fatigue, messaging issues, overreliance on social media and identity politics,[24][25] and difficulty balancing support between urban progressives and working-class voters.[26][27] Some called for renewed grassroots engagement and stronger ties to organized labour,[28][29] while others suggested the creation of a New Progressive Party, possibly including closer cooperation or a merger with the Green Party to consolidate progressive support.[30][31] Failure to obtain over 10% of the vote in all but 46 ridings meant many candidates did not receive campaign reimbursements, exacerbating concerns about financial challenges.[32] Internal disputes and a shrinking activist base further complicated the party’s path forward ahead of the 2026 leadership race.[33][34][35][36]

Following Singh’s announcement, political commentators suggested that several figures were likely candidates: Alexandre Boulerice, Nathan Cullen, Leah Gazan, Matthew Green, Jenny Kwan, Avi Lewis, Heather McPherson, Rachel Notley, and Valérie Plante.[37][38] Boulerice, Cullen, Green, Notley, and Plante all declined to run before the start of the campaign period. McPherson’s supporters publicly called on her to run in the election shortly following Singh’s resignation.[39] In late August 2025, representatives on behalf of Lewis and McPherson began collecting signatures before the launch of the leadership election on September 2.[40]

On June 23, Tony McQuail, an environmentalist and farmer, announced his campaign. He was approved to run on October 9. He suspended fundraising on November 20, to prevent splitting grassroots donations with Tanille Johnston.[41][42] Shortly before the first debate on November 27, he resumed fundraising.[43]

On July 3, activist Yves Engler announced his candidacy, backed by the NDP Socialist Caucus; he submitted his application to the NDP’s leadership vote committee for vetting on November 10.[44]

On September 19, Avi Lewis, an activist and journalist, announced his campaign.[45] Lewis is also the son of former Ontario NDP leader Stephen Lewis and grandson of former federal NDP leader David Lewis. His campaign launch was held in Toronto.[45]

In an interview on May 20 with CBC News‘ Power & Politics, Heather McPherson, the MP for Edmonton Strathcona, confirmed she was seriously considering running for the leadership.[46] She announced her leadership bid on September 28, at an event in Edmonton.[47]

On October 1, Rob Ashton, president of the International Longshore and Warehouse Union Canada, announced his campaign in Toronto.[48]

On October 8, Tanille Johnston, city councillor in Campbell River, announced her campaign in Nanaimo.[49] Johnston, a member of the We Wai Kai First Nation,[50] is the first Indigenous woman to seek the NDP leadership.[49]

The first all-candidates forum took place in Nanaimo on October 16,[51] with Rob Ashton and Tanille Johnston attending in person, and the other candidates speaking via Zoom.[52] The Canadian Labour Congress hosted the first fully in-person forum on October 22, in Ottawa.[53][54] Ashton, Lewis, and McPherson gathered in Ottawa for the Douglas Coldwell Layton Foundation leadership forum on October 28, while McQuail and Johnston attended virtually.[55] On November 22, all the candidates, except Tony McQuail, gathered virtually in Gibsons for a leadership forum.[56][57] On November 27, the candidates all gathered in Montreal for the first debate; it was held using a mix of French and English.[58][59] The debate was noted for none of the candidates being fluent in French, with most reading prepared French statements before switching to English.[60] The debate was followed by an all candidates forum hosted by the Ontario NDP‘s northern caucus.[61]

  • April 28 – The 2025 Canadian federal election was held. The New Democratic Party was reduced to seven seats and lost official party status for the first time since 1993. Party leader Jagmeet Singh, who was defeated in Burnaby Central, announced that he would step down once an interim leader was appointed.[62]
  • May 5 – The party’s federal council named Don Davies, MP for Vancouver Kingsway, as interim leader following consultations with the party’s parliamentary caucus.[63]
  • May 10 – NDP MPs Leah Gazan, Lori Idlout, and Jenny Kwan write a letter to the party’s executive and council saying they were not properly consulted in the selection of Davies as interim leader. The letter says that the party executive and other MPs did not hold caucus discussions or provide a timeline. In a statement for a May 16 story in The Globe and Mail, NDP national director Lucy Watson said that the federal council had sole responsibility for choosing an interim leader under the constitution.[64]
  • June 23 – Environmentalist and farmer Tony McQuail announces his intention to run for the NDP leadership.[65]
  • July 3 – Activist Yves Engler announces his intention to run for the NDP leadership.[e][66]
  • July 8 – Party launches an internal review of the 2025 campaign; led by human rights lawyer and former candidate Emilie Taman.[67]
  • July 10 – The party’s federal council meets to discuss a schedule and logistics for the leadership election; it decides the campaign period will be between September 2025 and March 2026. It also decides that the convention will be held concurrently with the party’s federal convention in Winnipeg, Manitoba.[68][67]
  • August 20 – Leadership application package available.[69]
  • September 2 – Leadership campaign period start date.[3]
  • September 19 – Activist and journalist Avi Lewis announces his candidacy for the NDP leadership.[70]
  • September 28 – NDP MP Heather McPherson announces her candidacy for the NDP leadership.[71]
  • October 1 – Union leader and longshoreman Rob Ashton announces his candidacy for the NDP leadership.[72]
  • October 8 – City councillor Tanille Johnston announces her candidacy for the NDP leadership.[49]
  • October 9 – Tony McQuail’s candidacy is approved by the NDP’s leadership vote committee.[73]
  • October 16 – Nanaimo—Ladysmith NDP EDA hosted an all candidates forum.[74]
  • October 22 – Leadership candidate forum hosted by the Canadian Labour Congress.[69]
  • October 28 – Candidates forum hosted by the Douglas Coldwell Layton Foundation.[75]
  • October 31 – Deadline for second $25,000 instalment of the deposit fee.[3]
  • November 10 – Yves Engler submits his application to enter the leadership contest.[44]
  • November 20 – Tony McQuail temporarily suspends fundraising, encouraging supporters to donate to Tanille Johnston instead.[41]
  • November 22 – West Vancouver—Sunshine Coast—Sea to Sky Country NDP EDA hosted an all candidates forum.[57]
  • November 27 – First leadership debate.[69] Tony McQuail resumes fundraising.[43]
  • December 2 – The Ontario NDP Northern Caucus hosted an all candidates forum.[57]
  • December 30 – Deadline for third $25,000 instalment of the deposit fee.[3]
  • January 1 – Deadline for leadership candidate application documents to have been completed and received by the Leadership Vote Committee.[3]
  • January 28 – Membership cut-off date.[3]
  • January 31 – Deadline for candidates to register and to have paid the fourth and final $25,000 instalment of the deposit fee.[3]
  • February – Second leadership debate (Date and location to be announced).[69]
  • March 27 – NDP federal convention begins.
  • March 28 – Final day of voting in leadership election.[3]
  • March 29 – Leadership election results announced. Final day of federal convention.[69]

Candidates who have been provisionally approved by the party’s leadership vote committee and paid the first instalment of the deposit fee.[76] As of October 14, 2025, all five approved candidates—Ashton, Johnston, Lewis, McPherson, and McQuail—have also registered their campaigns with Elections Canada.[77]

Candidate Background Candidacy Policies Links Ref.

Rob Ashton
Announced: October 1, 2025
Campaign slogan: A Voice for Everyday People
Campaign slogan (French): Une voix pour les gens ordinaires
  • Protect Canadian jobs and domestic industries and “start taxing the rich, not the members of the working class.
  • Proposes a National good-paying unionized job guarantee to those who are ready to work.
  • Companies that receive public money have to keep jobs in Canada.
  • Change the Bank of Canada’s mandate to include full employment.
  • Workers on corporate boards
  • End Temporary Foreign Worker Program, protect vulnerable workers
  • Bring back one-step union verification
  • Repealing Section 107 to end strike-busting
  • Sectoral Bargaining
 Endorsements
Website 		[40][78][72]

Tanille Johnston

Announced: October 8, 2025
Campaign slogan: Forward. Together.
Campaign slogan (French): Avancer. Ensemble.
  • Diverse and affordable housing
  • Equitable access to healthcare
  • Protecting the environment
  • Free and accessible post-secondary education
  • Increasing childcare spaces across the board
  • Meaningful and proportional electoral reform
  • Better public transit and alternative methods of transportation
  • Increasing the representation and participation of Indigenous persons in local, regional, provincial and federal decision making
 Endorsements
Website 		[40][79][80]

Avi Lewis
Announced: September 19, 2025
Campaign slogan: For the Many, not the Money
Campaign slogan (French): Pour les gens, pas l’argent
  • Implement a Green New Deal & bring back local, unionized manufacturing
  • Implement a wealth tax
  • Create a national rent cap
  • A public option for food, groceries, phone service, & housing
  • Expanded public health care, education, child care, & elder care
  • Call for Canada to be an international force for peace instead of rapidly militarizing
  • Opposes new pipelines
 Endorsements
Website 		[81][82][83]

Heather McPherson
Announced: September 28, 2025
Campaign slogan: Change Starts with Us
Campaign slogan (French): À nous le changement
  • Fighting for fair wages that rise with the cost of living
  • Affordable housing plan
  • Lower grocery prices by cracking down on price-gouging grocers
  • Jobs program for youth
  • Supporting public health care and education
  • Supports major energy projects if they are environmentally sound and don’t violate Indigenous rights
 Endorsements
Website 		[71][84]

Tony McQuail
Announced: June 23, 2025
Approved: October 9, 2025
Campaign slogan: Representation, Regeneration, Redistribution, Redesign
Campaign slogan (French): Représentation, régénération, redistribution, restructuration
  • Ending the First-past-the-post voting system and implementing proportional representation
  • Proposes a coalition of the NDP and the Green Party
  • Addressing the root causes of inequality and environmental collapse
  • Taking steps to restore both soil and ecosystem quality in the name of better food security and community health
  • Promoting natural carbon capture systems
 Endorsements
Website 		[85][86][87][88][89]

Declared but not approved

[edit]

  • Yves Engler, author, activist, and founder of the Canadian Foreign Policy Institute. (Application submitted November 10, 2025).[44][f][90][91]

Avi Lewis

Former Provincial and Territorial politicians

Heather McPherson

Former Provincial and Territorial politicians
Debates and forums among candidates for the 2026 New Democratic Party leadership election
Type Date Location Host Language Moderator Participants —  P  Participant
 I  Invited  N  Not invited
 A  Absent invitee  O  Out of race (withdrawn or disqualified)
Ashton Johnston Lewis McPherson McQuail
Forum October 16, 2025[74][121] Nanaimo, British Columbia Nanaimo—Ladysmith NDP EDA[74] English Lisa Marie Barron P P P P P
Forum October 22, 2025[122][54] Ottawa, Ontario Canadian Labour Congress English & French Bea Bruske P P P P P
Forum October 28, 2025[75] Ottawa, Ontario Douglas Coldwell Layton Foundation English Brad Lavigne P P P P P
Forum November 22, 2025[123][57] Gibsons, British Columbia West Vancouver—Sunshine Coast—Sea to Sky Country NDP EDA English Jäger Rosenberg P P P P A[g]
Debate November 27, 2025[124] Montreal, Quebec New Democratic Party French & English Karl Bélanger P P P P P
Forum December 2, 2025[125] Virtual Ontario NDP Northern Caucus English Lynn Dee Eason & Luke Hildebrand P P P P P
Debate February 2026 Metro Vancouver, British Columbia New Democratic Party TBA TBA TBA TBA TBA TBA TBA
  1. ^ Membership cut-off date on January 28, 2026.
  2. ^ The NDP’s federal convention will be held between March 27–29, 2026, with the leadership convention occurring at the end of the convention.
  3. ^ Paid over four instalments.[3]
  4. ^ 12 in British Columbia and Yukon, 13 in Ontario and Saskatchewan, and 14 in the remaining provinces and territories.
  5. ^ According to the NDP’s chief electoral officer, Éric Hébert-Daly, Engler has not submitted an application to enter the race and therefore “he has no current standing within the leadership contest,” and may be in contravention of party rules by collecting donations.
  6. ^ According to the NDP’s chief electoral officer, Éric Hébert-Daly, Engler has not submitted an application to enter the race and therefore “he has no current standing within the leadership contest,” and may be in contravention of party rules by collecting donations.
  7. ^ Campaign paused
  1. ^ Major, Darren; Thurton, David (July 10, 2025). “NDP to choose new leader in March following 7-month contest”. CBC News.
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