New Democrats are set to select their next leader in March, following a seven-month campaign, according to an announcement made by the party on Thursday. NDP president Mary Shortall expressed that this upcoming leadership election presents a critical opportunity for party members to unite, reconstruct, and elect a new leader.
The official start of the campaign is scheduled for September, with the voting process expected to conclude by March 29 during the NDP national convention in Winnipeg. The party’s federal council convened on Thursday to establish preliminary rules for the leadership race, including a $100,000 entry fee. Further details and guidelines for the competition will be finalized in subsequent meetings.
Former B.C. NDP MP and House leader, Libby Davies, praised the decision not to rush the leadership appointment. Davies highlighted the importance of a prolonged race to level the playing field for both grassroots and established candidates, although she raised concerns regarding the steep entry fee, which she believes could restrict the pool of potential contenders.
The previous NDP leadership race featured a $30,000 entrance fee and extended over a year. Davies suggested a fee range of $50,000 to $75,000 for the current leadership contest. The selected leader will inherit the challenging task of revitalizing the party following its historical low performance in the recent election, where the NDP’s parliamentary representation dwindled significantly.
The NDP’s diminished presence in the House of Commons, falling short of the required 12 seats for parliamentary recognition, led to a loss of privileges such as guaranteed question time, committee participation, and funding for the leader’s office and research bureau. Avi Lewis, a potential leadership candidate, applauded the council’s deliberative approach in shaping the leadership race rules, emphasizing the importance of internal party democracy.
The NDP has also grappled with internal discord post-election, with some members criticizing the interim leader selection process. Additionally, a faction within the party advocated for redirecting donations to local riding associations to facilitate a grassroots rebuilding effort. The party, aiming for renewal, initiated a review process led by lawyer and former candidate Emilie Taman to engage with members, staff, and volunteers for input and rebuilding initiatives.