2026 New Democratic Party leadership election

Jagmeet Singh was elected as the leader of the New Democratic Party (NDP) in the 2017 leadership election.^[4][5] 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.^[6] 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.^[7]

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.^[8]

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.^[9][10] On May 5, 2025, he was replaced by Vancouver Kingsway MP Don Davies on an interim basis until a new party leader is elected.^[11]

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 percent 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 installments,^[2] 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".^[12][13][14] The entrance fee marked a $70,000 increase over the prior $30,000 entrance fee in the 2017 NDP leadership election.^[14] 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 percent 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.^{[15][16][17][18]}

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][19][20]

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."^[21][22]

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,^[23][24] and difficulty balancing support between urban progressives and working-class voters.^[25][26] Some called for renewed grassroots engagement and stronger ties to organized labour,^[27][28] 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.^[29][30] 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.^[31] Internal disputes and a shrinking activist base further complicated the party's path forward ahead of the 2026 leadership race.^{[32][33][34][35]}

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.^[36][37] 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.^[38] In late August 2025, representatives on behalf of Lewis and McPherson began collecting signatures before the launch of the leadership election on September 2.^[39]

On June 23, Tony McQuail, an environmentalist and farmer, announced his campaign. He was approved to run on October 9.

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 in November.

On September 19, Avi Lewis, an activist and journalist, announced his campaign.^[40] 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.^[40]

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.^[41] She announced her leadership bid on September 28, at an event in Edmonton.^[42]

On October 1, Rob Ashton, president of the International Longshore and Warehouse Union Canada, announced his campaign in Toronto.^[43]

On October 8, Tanille Johnston, city councillor in Campbell River, announced her campaign in Nanaimo.^[44] Johnston, a member of the We Wai Kai First Nation,^[45] is the first Indigenous woman to seek the NDP leadership.^[44]

The first all-candidates forum took place in Nanaimo on October 16.^[46] Rob Ashton and Tanille Johnston attended in person. At the same time, the other candidates spoke via Zoom.^[47] The Canadian Labour Congress hosted the first fully in-person forum on October 22, in Ottawa.^[48][49] Ashton, Lewis, and McPherson gathered in Ottawa for the Douglas Coldwell Layton Foundation leadership forum on October 28. McQuail and Johnston attended virtually.^[50]

• 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.^[51]
• 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.^[52]
• 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.^[53]
• June 23 – Environmentalist and farmer Tony McQuail announces his intention to run for the NDP leadership.^[54]
• July 3 – Activist Yves Engler announces his intention to run for the NDP leadership.^[e][55]
• July 8 – Party launches an internal review of the 2025 campaign; led by human rights lawyer and former candidate Emilie Taman.^[56]
• 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.^[57][56]
• August 20 – Leadership application package available.^[58]
• September 2 – Leadership campaign period start date.^[2]
• September 19 – Activist and journalist Avi Lewis announces his candidacy for the NDP leadership.^[59]
• September 28 – NDP MP Heather McPherson announces her candidacy for the NDP leadership.^[60]
• October 1 – Union leader and longshoreman Rob Ashton announces his candidacy for the NDP leadership.^[61]
• October 8 – City councillor Tanille Johnston announces her candidacy for the NDP leadership.^[44]
• October 9 – Tony McQuail's candidacy is approved by the NDP's leadership vote committee.^[62]
• October 16 – Nanaimo—Ladysmith NDP EDA hosted an all candidates forum.^[63]
• October 22 – Leadership candidate forum hosted by the Canadian Labour Congress.^[58]
• October 28 – Candidates forum hosted by the Douglas Coldwell Layton Foundation.^[64]
• October 31 – Deadline for second $25,000 installment of the deposit fee.^[2]
• November 10 — Yves Engler submits his application to enter the leadership contest.^[65]
• November 27 – First leadership debate.^[58]
• December 30 – Deadline for third $25,000 installment of the deposit fee.^[2]

• January 1 – Deadline for leadership candidate application documents to have been completed and received by the Leadership Vote Committee.^[2]
• January 28 – Membership cut-off date.^[2]
• January 31 – Deadline for candidates to register and to have paid the fourth and final $25,000 installment of the deposit fee.^[2]
• February – Second leadership debate (Date and location to be announced).^[58]
• March 27 – NDP federal convention begins.
• March 28 – Final day of voting in leadership election.^[2]
• March 29 – Leadership election results announced. Final day of federal convention.^[58]

Candidates who have been provisionally approved by the party's leadership vote committee and paid the first installment of the deposit fee.^[66] As of October 14, 2025, all five approved candidates—Ashton, Johnston, Lewis, McPherson, and McQuail—have also registered their campaigns with Elections Canada.^[67]

Candidate		Background	Candidacy	Policies	Links	Ref.
Rob Ashton		President of the International Longshore and Warehouse Union Canada (2016–present)	Announced: October 1, 2025 Campaign slogan: A Voice for Everyday People Campaign slogan (French): Une voix pour les gens ordinaires	Says NDP needs to 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 who receive public money have to keep jobs in Canada." "Wants to change the Bank of Canada's mandate to include full employment."	Endorsements Website	[39][68][61]
Tanille Johnston		Campbell River City Councillor (2022–present) Candidate in North Island—Powell River (2025)	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	[39][69][70]
Avi Lewis		Candidate in Vancouver Centre (2025) and West Vancouver—Sunshine Coast—Sea to Sky Country (2021) Co-creator of the Leap Manifesto (2015)	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	[71][72][73]
Heather McPherson		MP for Edmonton Strathcona (2019–present) Foreign Affairs Critic (2021–2025) Whip of the NDP (2024–2025)	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	[60][74]
Tony McQuail		Five-time federal NDP candidate in Huron—Bruce Three-time Ontario NDP candidate in Huron—Bruce Executive assistant to former Ontario Agriculture minister Elmer Buchanan (1990–1995)	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	[75][76][77][78]

• Yves Engler, author, activist, and founder of the Canadian Foreign Policy Institute. (Application submitted November 10, 2025).^{[65][f][79][80]}

• Ruth Ellen Brosseau, MP for Berthier—Maskinongé (2011–2019), House Leader of the NDP (2018–2019).^[81]
• Peter Julian, MP for New Westminster—Burnaby (2004–2025), House Leader of the NDP (2014–2016, 2017–2018, 2019–2025).^[82][83]
• Jenny Kwan, MP for Vancouver East (2015–present), MLA for Vancouver-Mount Pleasant (1996–2015), British Columbia cabinet minister (1998–2001).^[84]

• Charlie Angus, MP for Timmins—James Bay (2004–2025), finished second in the 2017 leadership election.^[85]
• Alexandre Boulerice, Deputy Leader of the NDP (2019–present), House Leader of the NDP (2025–present), MP for Rosemont-La Petite-Patrie (2011–present).^[11]
• Guy Caron, Mayor of Rimouski (2021–present), MP for Rimouski-Neigette—Témiscouata—Les Basques (2011–2019), Parliamentary Leader of the NDP (2017–2019), finished fourth in the 2017 leadership election.^[86][37]
• Olivia Chow, 66th Mayor of Toronto (2023–present), MP for Trinity—Spadina (2006–2014), widow of former federal NDP leader Jack Layton.^[87]
• Nathan Cullen, MP for Skeena—Bulkley Valley (2004–2019), MLA for Stikine (2020–2024), finished third in the 2012 leadership election.^[88][89]
• Don Davies, Interim Leader of the NDP (2025–present), MP for Vancouver Kingsway (2008–present).^[90][52]
• David Eby, 37th Premier of British Columbia (2022–present), Leader of the British Columbia New Democratic Party (2022–present), MLA for Vancouver-Point Grey (2013–present).^[91]
• Leah Gazan, MP for Winnipeg Centre (2019–present), Families, Children, and Social Development Critic (2019–present).^[36][82][92]
• Matthew Green, MP for Hamilton Centre (2019–2025), Hamilton city councillor (2014–2018).^[36][37]
• Lori Idlout, MP for Nunavut (2021–present).^[93]
• Gord Johns, MP for Courtenay—Alberni (2015–present).^[94][95]
• Wab Kinew, 25th Premier of Manitoba (2023–present), Leader of the New Democratic Party of Manitoba (2017–present), MLA for Fort Rouge (2016–present).^[96][97]
• Mike Layton, Toronto City Councillor (2010–2022), son of former federal NDP leader Jack Layton.^[87]
• Tom Mulcair, Leader of the Opposition (2012–2015), Leader of the NDP (2012–2017), MP for Outremont (2007–2018).^[98]
• Rachel Notley, 17th Premier of Alberta (2015–2019), Leader of the Alberta New Democratic Party (2014–2024), MLA for Edmonton-Strathcona (2008–2024).^{[99][100][101]} (Endorsed McPherson)
• Valérie Plante, 45th Mayor of Montreal (2017–2025).^[87][102]
• Kennedy Stewart, 40th Mayor of Vancouver (2018–2022), MP for Burnaby South (2011–2018).^[103][104]
• Bonita Zarrillo, MP for Port Moody-Coquitlam (2021–2025), Coquitlam City Councillor (2013–2021).^[105][106] (Endorsed Ashton)

• New Democratic Party leadership elections
• New Democratic Party candidates in the 2025 Canadian federal election