Friday March 27, 2026 | WINNIPEG, MB [Posted 11:55 pm PT]
Political news analysis by Mary P Brook e| Island Social Trends
The federal NDP leadership convention got rolling today in Winnipeg.
The five contestants for the role of NDP leader are Rob Ashton, Tanille Johnston, Avi Lewis, Heather McPherson, and Tony McQuail [see NDP contestant profiles].
Manitoba NDP Premier Wab Kinew gave a rousing speech at the convention today, welcoming guests to Winnipeg. His easy succinct communications style seems almost coveted by NDP across the country.
Kinew’s remarks:
Premier Kinew did not open his remarks about the leadership contestants. None were mentioned by name in his 20-minute speech.
He immediately drilled down on his position that the Iran war should be stopped right away and that no Canadian should have to fight Donald Trump’s war.
In fact, Kinew went a large step further by saying that US workers and middle class Americans should not have to fight “the Epstein war” (i.e. the class of rich and powerful in America) by which Kinew drew a standing ovation. This leader is clearly a featured NDP leader — he is likely to be the firebrand that the NDP needs as the party rebuilds.
“What is the future of the federal NDP? It’s victory!”, said Kinew.
“In order to have a strong Canada we need a strong federal NDP,” said Kinew. Universal public health care that every person can access because of their birthright is what Kinew says distinguishes Canada from the United States of course crediting the NDP for making that possible through Canadian politics.
“You’ve done a great job so far, ” said Kinew in his 20 minute speech, and set the stage: “We are going to emerge united with a strong voice for the average Canadian out there.”
“The NDP can deliver and govern well, and that has to be our goal,” said Kinew, with a nod to his own NDP Manitoba provincial government.
And to the contestants and the party overall: “My best piece of advice — win. It’s way better than the alternative.”
That was quite possibly Kinew’s subtle nod to McPherson as who should win, so that full leadership NDP representation can begin immediately on Monday morning. “We need a federal NDP that can win,” was Kinew’s closing line.
Labour leadership:
Bea Bruske, President of the Canadian Labour Congress delivered remarks as did Sussanne Skidmore, President of the BC Federation of Labour.
Thanking the past guard:
In the afternoon, there were video tributes to former NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh and other former caucus members, showcasing their work and results for Canadians, like dental care for millions of Canadians and first universal pharmacare program.
Long time BC NDP MP Peter Julian (serving 2004 to 2025, and as NDP House Leader 2019 to 2025) attended the convention, sending out a news release about that ahead of time.
Singh was there to accept people’s thanks for his seve- and-a-half years of service as party leader (October 2017 to April 2025).
Political moment:
This is a significant political moment for the NDP. Reduced from 24 seats to seven in the April 2025 federal election, the party has no choice but to re-examine itself for a rebuilding phase.
The Canadian political system has reliably functioned with at least three parties in the House of Commons. For nearly 100 years a left-leaning party has contributed to federal politics — the Co-operative Commonwealth Federation (CCF started in 1982 and morphed into the New Democratic Party or NDP in 1961 by merging with the labour movement).
All five candidates in the 2026 leadership race carry forward the worker’s or people’s base of the party but with a wide range of approaches.
Only one of the NDP leadership candidates is presently an elected member of parliament — Heather McPherson is the MP for Edmonton Strathcona, which may give her the edge to win if the party is serious about being more fully integrated with political action in Ottawa for the next few years (BC NDP MP Don Davies has served as interim leader since May 2025 to now).
Voting and ballots:
In order to vote at this weekend’s convention, NDP members had to have been registered as a member by January 28, 2026.
Members are voting using one of three methods: online, telephone, or mail-in. All methods of voting will be available in English and French.
The first method a member uses to cast their vote will determine how their vote is recorded. So the party recommends online voting that method can be used whether a member is a delegate in person at the convention or remotely.
If a member votes by one method (e.g. telephone) and then attempts to vote using another method (e.g. online), only the first vote will be counted, and any subsequent attempts will not be processed.
Voting results:
The NDP are using a ranked ballot to choose their leader.
The winner will be announced on Sunday morning, March 29.
===== RELATED:
NEWS SECTIONS: FEDERAL NDP | CANADA-NATIONAL