Wednesday November 26, 2025 | VICTORIA, BC (as first published November 10)
by Mary P Brooke | Island Social Trends
Sign up for the November 27 Debate Livestream Link on the NDP Website (French-language debate – 4 pm PT / 7 pm ET)
Canada’s federal New Democratic Party (NDP) will select its next leader at the Winnipeg Convention Centre during March 27-29, 2026.
New Democrats and progressives from across the country are invited to join the party to participate and engage in this democratic process.
The NDP calls themselves “Canada’s progressive political voice”, saying they continue to lead the fight for bold, progressive change.
The NDP leadership race is seen as a powerful opportunity to strengthen the movement of progressive thought and accomplishments.
Current NDP leadership:
Currently the NDP’s interim leader is BC MP Don Davies (Vancouver Kingsway); he is not seeking the party leadership. There are currently seven NDP MPs in the 45th Parliament without official party status.
The former NDP Leader was Jagmeet Singh who resigned from party leadership after losing his seat in the April 28, 2025 federal election.
Leadership candidate debates:
- A leadership candidate forum was held on October 22 in Ottawa.
- A French-language leadership debate will be held on Thursday November 27 in Montreal. Livestream on the NDP website.
- A second debate will be held in February 2026 (date/location tba)
Contestants:
There are five officially approved NDP leadership candidates seeking the leadership of Canada’s NDP: Rob Ashton, Tanille Johnston, Avi Lewis, Heather McPherson, and Tony McQuail.
Rob Ashton – Dockworker and union member for over 30 years, wants to being a worker-focused, common sense approach to politics including fairness and equity. “If we stand together, we win.” Currently he is the President of the International Longshore Workers Union Canada. He focuses on affordability and believes that the NDP must once again become the party of workers and everyday people.
Tanille Johnston – Indigenous social worker and mother with roots on Vancouver Island (including leadership with the UVic Student Society). In 2022 she won a seat as a municipal councillor in Campbell River. In 2025 she ran as the federal NDP candidate for North Island-Powell River (the riding was won by the Conservative candidate). Johnston says she’s running to lead the NDP into a new era of courage and equity. She points out that one in four Canadians lives with a disability, without adequate financial support. Johnston feels that Canada needs a Guaranteed Livable Basic Income, paid for by a wealth tax on the rich, so that everyone can live in dignity. She feels the NDP should champion a National Framework for a Guaranteed Livable Basic Income Act, as previously introduced by NDP MP Leah Gazan.
Avi Lewis is a veteran journalist, educator and activist who brings 35 years of movement-building experience to his campaign for NDP leadership, combining grassroots organizing with national media reach to advance working-class politics across Canada. In 2017, Avi co-founded The Leap, mobilizing thousands of Canadians to confront the intersecting crises of climate, inequality, and racism through grassroots action. This unique combination of electoral experience, movement leadership, media expertise, and educational commitment positions Avi to unite our party’s diverse coalition while expanding our reach to new supporters. Lives in Vancouver.
Heather McPherson – Before politics, Heather spent nearly 20 years working for human rights, sustainable development, and global justice. With a Master’s degree in education focused on Indigenous knowledge and sustainability, she has always been grounded in service and fairness. In Parliament, Heather has taken on the toughest files – from foreign affairs, human rights, and international trade to health care, seniors, and culture. Her commitment to building a more peaceful and just world has included visits to Ukraine and the Middle East, and she has advanced legislation to protect pensions, defend public health care, strengthen environmental reviews, and support people living with ADHD.Elected in 2019, Heather and her team have made Edmonton Strathcona the strongest NDP seat in the country. She beleives in in good people making a difference.
Tony McQuail – While farming, he went to university and graduated with a Bachelor of Environmental Studies from the University of Waterloo in 1976. He became a Canadian citizen in 1977. He has run 5 times federally and twice provincially for the NDP. He served three terms as an elected trustee on the Huron County Board of Education during the 1980’s. In the early 90’s he served as the Executive Assistant to the Hon. Elmer Buchanan, Ontario Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs.
Tax-receipts for donations:
Each candidate has been approved by the Leadership Vote Committee and is authorized to receive donations via the NDP for which tax-deductible receipts will be issued.
Timelines and dollars:
Candidates must submit their applications by Thursday January 1, 2026.
The entry fee for the leadership race has been set at $100,000 (that can be paid in four equal portions up to January 28, 2026).
The campaign started September 2 of this year. Voting will conclude on March 28, 2026. The new leader will be announced on Sunday March 29, 2026.
People can sign up to be NDP members up to January 28, 2026.
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