NDP Leadership Voting Begins with 100,000 Members

Voting got underway Monday in the New Democratic Party leadership race, as approximately 100,000 eligible members began casting ballots to select the party's next leader. The contest, which concludes with a voting deadline on March 28, will culminate in the announcement of results on March 29 during the NDP's annual convention in Winnipeg.

A party official confirmed that 100,000 members qualify to participate in the one-member, one-vote process. This figure marks a decline from previous leadership elections, when the party boasted larger memberships. In 2017, Jagmeet Singh secured victory on the first ballot among just under 125,000 eligible voters. Similarly, the 2012 race that installed Tom Mulcair as leader drew from more than 128,000 members.

Five candidates are vying for the position, each bringing distinct backgrounds to the campaign. They include Rob Ashton, a union leader; Tanille Johnston, a social worker; Avi Lewis, a filmmaker; Heather McPherson, an Alberta member of Parliament; and Tony McQuail, a farmer. The race has highlighted differences in campaign resources, particularly in fundraising.

Interim financial disclosures filed with Elections Canada reveal Avi Lewis...