Sunday, March 17, 2019 ~ NATIONAL.
~ West Shore Voice News
NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh was officially sworn in today March 17, 2019 as the Member of Parliament for Burnaby South. The swearing-in was held at 3:30 pm Eastern (12:30 pm Pacific), in the Wellington Building in downtown Ottawa.
Leading up to today, an NDP news release proclaimed: “Singh is going to make history as the first racialized Leader of a federal party to have a seat in Parliament.” He said he was honoured by the experience of being sworn in.
Singh quite handily won the riding of Burnaby South on February 25 with 39% of the votes cast.
“Any time you achieve anything, there are so many people that made it possible. You never do it alone,” he said today. He said he sees a leader as being someone who serves. “I’m only here today because other people broke barriers for me.”
Singh says his strategy for times ahead in the House of Commons is to push for more affordable housing, an environmentally responsible economy, reconciliation with Indigenous peoples and better healthcare. A first opportunity for critique on that will come on Tuesday, March 19 after a pre-election Budget 2019 is delivered by the Liberal government. #YourBudget2019
With the October 2019 federal election approaching, Singh hope to present the NDP as a viable option for Canadians: “Together we’re going to change this country,” he said today.
The NDP head into October’s election during a seachange in their roster of MPs, which opens up opportunities for fresh blood which could invigorate the NDP’s chances.
In a news release from the NDP, Singh stated:
“We’re not here by chance, we’re here because of failures of consecutive Conservative and Liberal governments. My friends, for too long we’ve been forced to choose between bad and worse and it’s not right. Canadians deserve better. Now more than ever before. And as the new MP for Burnaby South, that’s what I commit to.”
“I commit to building on Jack Layton’s message of love, hope and optimism with courage. New Democrats are the champions of the solutions people need now – for Quebecers and all Canadians. We have to have the courage to do what’s right before it’s too late.”
Jagmeet Singh wins the February 25 by-election in Burnaby South (February 25, 2019)
EDITORIAL (February 24, 2019): Why Jagmeet Singh needs to win