Monday April 27, 2026 | OTTAWA, ON [Posted 12:07 pm PT | Updated 3:44 pm]
by Mary P Brooke | Island Social Trends
NDP MP Alexandre Boulerice has resigned from the federal party.
As was long heard in political circles, Boulerice has chosen to redirect his political efforts at the provincial level in his home province of Quebec.
Today in Ottawa, NDP Leader Avi Lewis heralded Boulerice for his commitment to public service.
“It’s clear this decision has been a long time in coming and we were ready,” said Lewis. “I’m not phased by this,” he said.
“I have immense respect for Alexandre, who has been an exceptional representative for the people of Rosemont—La Petite-Patrie for the past 15 years. He has worked tirelessly to deliver real gains for the people of Quebec – standing up for workers, for affordability, and for action on the climate crisis,” said Lewis in a statement today.
Boulerice now continues to sit an independent member of parliament.
Quebec connection:
Boulerice announced in Quebec today that he will be running for the provincial Quebec Solidaire party. The podium signage bore the same colours as the federal NDP: orange and white.
Meanwhile, Lewis says Boulerice will be a helpful connection for the federal NDP in Quebec.
“We are excited to continue to build the NDP in Quebec,” said Lewis in his press conference in Ottawa today.
Lewis called Boulerice’s decision “principled”, not of the same ilk as “opportunistic” floor-crossings of Conservatives and others to the Liberals.
“Alexandre cares deeply about the future of Quebec, a province he’s called home his entire life. This is a pivotal time in Quebec politics. After nearly a decade of right-wing government, people are reeling from crushing rents, skyrocketing grocery prices, a strained healthcare system and a climate crisis that’s already reshaping communities. And they are hungry for real, winnable solutions,” said Lewis today.
“This is a principled move by Alexandre to fight for progressive values in a new terrain. I sincerely thank him for his years of dedicated service within the New Democratic caucus. And I see us working together as progressive forces across jurisdictions to be a source of strength, not a weakness,” said the NDP leader.
“I am grateful for the solid foundation Alexandre has built in his riding. He has shown the people of Quebec that they can trust New Democrats to tackle the issues that matter to them. We intend to keep doing that work – in Rosemont—La Petite-Patrie and in communities across the province,” said Lewis.
Last of the ‘orange wave‘ in Quebec:
It should be noted that Quebec Solidaire is a separatist party which for Boulerice runs counter to the work that he has undertaken for the last 15 years with the NDP under the original inspiration of following the late Jack Layton’s vision for the NDP.
Layton’s leadership of the NDP produces ‘the orange wave’, with a sweep of NDP federal seats that put the NDP into official opposition status in the House of Commons in May 2011.
Now former Interim Leader Don Davies — an NDP MP based in the Greater Vancouver area — often still references the messaging of Layton that including utilizing parliament to get things done for all Canadians.
By-election upcoming:
A by-election will be held in Rosemont—La Petite-Patrie for which an NDP ground game is already unofficially underway, Lewis said today.
NDP down to five:
This now sees a federal NDP caucus of five MPs — notably all west of Ontario, including three in British Columbia: former interim leader Don Davies (Vancouver Kingsway); Leah Gazan (Winnipeg Centre); Gord Johns (Courtenay-Alberni); Jenny Kwan (Vancouver East); and Heather McPherson (Edmonton Strathcona).
Party leader Avi Lewis was newly elected as party leader on March 29, 2026. He does not hold a seat in the House of Commons at this time.
There are 343 seats in the House of Commons in the current 45th Parliament of Canada.
===== RELATED:
- New NDP leader prioritizes affordability & digital surveillance price-fixing (April 13, 2026)
- NDP begins rebuilding process: affordability focus, critic roles (April 10, 2026)
- NDP Leader Avi Lewis: cost of living emergency is top priority (March 30, 2026)
- Avi Lewis wins federal NDP leadership (March 29, 2026)
- NEWS SECTIONS: FEDERAL NDP | ECONOMY | AFFORDABILITY