New Democratic Party leadership election, 2017

New Democratic Party leadership election, 2017

Date	October 1, 2017 (first ballot)
Resigning leader	Tom Mulcair
Entrance Fee	$30,000[1]
Spending limit	$1.5 million[1]

The 2017 New Democratic Party leadership election will take place between October 1 and October 29, 2017 due to incumbent Tom Mulcair having lost a vote on a leadership review at the New Democratic Party's federal convention held in Edmonton, Alberta on April 10, 2016.^[1] 52% of delegates voted in favour of holding a new leadership election, compared to 48% who voted for Mulcair's leadership to continue. Under the party's constitution, the leadership election was to be held by April 10, 2017; however, the delegates present passed a motion to give the party up to 24 months to organize a leadership election.^[2][3] Mulcair is expected to remain leader until his successor is elected.^[1]

Background

The result at the 2016 convention is the first time a leader of any Canadian federal political party has failed to receive at least 50% in a leadership review vote.^[3] In the months since the 2015 federal election, Mulcair's leadership had been a point of conflict within the party because of the election campaign, in which the NDP fell to third place from the Official Opposition it gained in the 2011 election. The New Democrats had led public opinion polls since May 2015 and appeared to be poised to form a majority government for the first time in their history. However, they fell back behind the Liberals and Conservatives in the last month. The election thus resulted in a Liberal majority government. The party lost more than half of its seats and fell to third place. Mulcair's leadership faced criticism following the election, particularly due to his moderate platform that the party was running on. In contrast, Liberal leader Justin Trudeau had promised to run a budget deficit in order to fund stimulus programs and higher social spending, a position which was perceived as allowing the Liberals to outflank the NDP.^[4][5]

Election rules

Under rules set out in the party's constitution, every member is entitled to cast a secret ballot for the selection of the Leader.^[6] The new leader will be chosen some time between October 1 and October 29, 2017, with rounds of voting through a preferential, ranked choice ballot taking place once a week until a candidate hits the 50 per cent plus one mark to be declared leader (with eligible voters choosing to vote with an internet ballot being allowed to change their vote at any time before the closure of the polls, including between each round of balloting).^[7][8][9] Candidates are required to pay an entry fee of $30,000 and may spend no more than $1.5 million. 25% of all donations to candidates will be paid to the party.^[1] 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, LGBT people, persons with disabilities and visible minorities. At least 50 signatures will be required from each of five regions: "Atlantic", "Quebec", "Ontario", "the Prairies" and "B.C. and the North".

Timeline

• October 19, 2015 - Federal election results in the NDP under Tom Mulcair winning 44 seats and falling to third place in the House of Commons, down from 95 seats and Official Opposition status prior to the election.
• April 10, 2016 - At the NDP federal convention held in Edmonton, Alberta, a leadership review resolution passes with the support of 52% of delegates, requiring a new leadership election to be held. Mulcair announces that he will not be a candidate but will remain as leader until the leadership election is held. Delegates pass an emergency motion extending the deadline for a leadership election to two years from one year.^[3]
• May 15, 2016 - NDP Federal Council meets to discuss a schedule and logistics for the leadership election.^[10][11] The federal council decides to hold the election between September 17, 2017 and October 31, 2017 with a precise date to be set later.
• June 14, 2016 - Party executive convenes to propose finalized election details, including the dates of the election and the nomination period closing.^[8][9][12]
• July 2, 2016 - Nomination period opens.^[13]
• October 19, 2016 - NDP House Leader Peter Julian resigns in order to consider running for leadership.
• July 3, 2017 - Last day for candidates to register.^[8][9]
• August 17, 2017 - Date on which one must be an NDP member in good standing in order to be eligible to vote.^[8][9]
• September 18–October 1, 2017 - Voting for the first ballot.^[8][9]
• October 8, 2017 - Voting for the second ballot ends (if required)^[14]
• October 15, 2017 - Voting for the third ballot ends (if required)^[14]
• October 22, 2017 - Voting ends for fourth ballot (if required)^[14]
• October 29, 2017 - Voting for up to fifth and final ballot, if needed.^[8][9][14]

Expected candidates

The following individuals will be announcing their candidacies, according to media reports:

Charlie Angus

Charlie Angus

Background

Charlie Angus, 54, has been the MP for Timmins—James Bay since 2004 and was elected NDP Caucus Chair in January 2016. He is the author of seven books and worked as a journalist, a roofer and a dishwasher earlier in life. Prior to entering politics Angus owned and ran a magazine in northern Ontario and a homeless shelter and was lead singer for the punk band Grievous Angels. Angus stepped down as Caucus Chair and Indigenous Affairs Critic on November 23, 2016 in order to consider a leadership bid,^[15] and is expected to announce his candidacy in January 2017.^[16][10]

Date candidacy announced: pending

Supporters

• MPs:
• Provincial politicians:
• Former MPs:
• Other prominent individuals:

Other information

Peter Julian

Peter Julian

Background

Peter Julian, 54, is the MP for New Westminster—Burnaby (2015–present) and Burnaby–New Westminster (2004–2015), and is a former NDP House Leader (2014—2016).^[17] He is the NDP's former Shadow Minister for Natural Resources and Energy (2012-2014), Finance (2011-2012) and Industry (2011) and has also served as NDP Caucus Chair (2011-2014). Before entering politics he was the Executive Director of the Council of Canadians.^[18][19][20] Resigned as NDP House Leader on October 19, 2016 in order to prepare his candidacy.^[21]

Date candidacy announced: pending

Supporters

• MPs:
• Provincial politicians:
• Former MPs:
• Other prominent individuals:

Other information

Withdrawn candidates

Cheri DiNovo

Cheri DiNovo

Background

Cheri DiNovo, 65, is the Ontario MPP for Parkdale—High Park (2006–present) and since 2014 has served as the Ontario NDP critic for Urban Transportation, Greater Toronto Area Issues, and LGBTQ Issues.

Date candidacy announced: June 7, 2016 ("unofficial");^[22][23] June 13, 2016 (official)^[24]

Date withdrawn: August 2, 2016^[25]

Supporters

• MPs:
• Provincial politicians:
• Former MPs:
• Other prominent individuals:

Other information

DiNovo originally was running as an "unofficial candidate" in protest of the party's $30,000 entry fee, but on June 13, 2016, she announced that her candidacy would be moving from unofficial status to official status, stating that her campaign will begin fundraising when the leadership election rules are finalized in July 2016.^[24] She was running in order to support democratic socialist principles and "to fight for principles rather than for a position".^[26] Four main policy planks were: An "aggressive and realistic response to the climate crisis" including the banning of nuclear power and opposition to pipelines; "social justice and human rights" including a ban on conversion therapy and a plan to increase unionization rates; "An end to systemic racism" around indigenous issues, support for Black Lives Matter; "Truly universal and free" post-secondary education, dental care and pharmacare and "livable" social assistance rates.^[23]
DiNovo announced on August 2, 2016 that she would no longer be a candidate due to health reasons, having recently suffered two small strokes.^[25]

Prospective candidates

The following people have been named as potential leadership candidates by one or more media outlets:

• 

  Niki Ashton, MP for Churchill—Keewatinook Aski (2015–present) and Churchill (2008–2015). Placed seventh in the 2012 leadership race.^[1][2][3]

• 

  Daniel Blaikie, MP for Elmwood—Transcona (2015–present).^[4]

• 

  Rebecca Blaikie, President of the NDP (2011–2016), Treasurer of the NDP (2009–2011).^[4]

• 

  Ruth Ellen Brosseau, MP for Berthier—Maskinongé (2011–present)^[5]

• 

  Guy Caron, MP for Rimouski-Neigette—Témiscouata—Les Basques (2011–present).^[2][6]

• 

  Robert Chisholm, MP for Dartmouth—Cole Harbour (2011–2015), Leader of the Nova Scotia New Democratic Party (1996–2000), Leader of the Opposition in Nova Scotia (1998–1999). Ran in the 2012 leadership race though withdrew before the vote.^[4]

• 

  Olivia Chow, MP for Trinity—Spadina (2006–2014), widow of former leader Jack Layton. Placed third in the 2014 Toronto mayoral election.^[4][7]

• 

  Gary Doer, Canadian Ambassador to the United States (2009–2016), Premier of Manitoba (1999–2009), Leader of the Manitoba New Democratic Party (1988–2009), Manitoba MLA for Concordia (1986–2009).^[4]

• 

  Howard Hampton, Leader of the Ontario New Democratic Party (1996–2009), Attorney General of Ontario (1990–1993), Ontario Minister of Natural Resources and Minister Responsible for Native Affairs (both 1993–1995), Ontario MPP for Rainy River (1987–1999) and Kenora—Rainy River (1999-2011).^[8]

• 

  Mike Layton, Toronto City Councillor (2010–present), son of former leader Jack Layton^[2]

• 

  Peggy Nash, Former MP for Parkdale—High Park (2006–2008, 2011–2015). Placed fourth in the 2012 leadership race.^[2]

• 

  Sid Ryan, President of the Ontario Federation of Labour (2009-2015), President of CUPE Ontario (1992-2009), unsuccessful Ontario provincial NDP candidate in 1999 in Scarborough Centre, and in Oshawa in 2003 and 2007, and unsuccessful federal NDP candidate in Oshawa in 2004 and 2006.^[9]

• 

  Romeo Saganash, MP for Abitibi—Baie-James—Nunavik—Eeyou (2011–present). Ran in the 2012 leadership race though withdrew before the vote.^[4]

• 

  Jagmeet Singh, Ontario MPP for Bramalea—Gore—Malton (2011–present) and deputy leader of the Ontario New Democratic Party^[3]

• 

  Hassan Yussuff, President of the Canadian Labour Congress (2014–present)^[3]

1. ^ Raj, Althia (April 9, 2016). "Inside Thomas Mulcair's Battle To Stay On As NDP Leader". The Huffington Post. Retrieved April 11, 2016. 
2. ^ ^{a b c d} "NDP aftermath: An early look at potential candidates to replace Tom Mulcair". CBC News. April 10, 2016. Retrieved April 11, 2016. 
3. ^ ^{a b c} "Eight possible candidates for the NDP leadership, from an ex-deputy leader to a documentary filmmaker". National Post. April 10, 2016. Retrieved April 11, 2016. 
4. ^ ^{a b c d e f} Nielsen, Kevin (April 10, 2016). "Who will replace Tom Mulcair as NDP leader? It could be a crowded field". Global News. Retrieved April 11, 2016. 
5. ^ "Ruth Ellen Brosseau mulling over run for NDP leadership". CJAD. Canadian Press. Retrieved 21 April 2016. 
6. ^ Tremblay, Julie (June 10, 2016). "Chefferie du NPD : Guy Caron annoncera s'il se présente cet automne" (in French). Radio-Canada. Retrieved June 11, 2016. 
7. ^ Wilson, Codi (April 10, 2016). "Possible NDP leadership candidates from the GTA". CP24.com. Retrieved April 11, 2016. 
8. ^ Cite error: The named reference FC was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
9. ^ http://www.cjnews.com/perspectives/opinions/will-ndp-buck-lefts-anti-israel-trend

Declined

• Cindy Blackstock, executive director of First Nations Child and Family Caring Society of Canada^[27]
• Alexandre Boulerice, MP for Rosemont—La Petite-Patrie (2011–present) and NDP Quebec lieutenant.^[28]
• Nathan Cullen, MP for Skeena—Bulkley Valley (2004–present). Placed third in the 2012 leadership race.^[18][29][30]
• Paul Dewar, MP for Ottawa Centre (2006–2015). Placed fifth in the 2012 leadership race.^[31][32][33]
• Naomi Klein - author, journalist, and documentary filmmaker. Co-author of the Leap Manifesto.^[34]
• Megan Leslie – MP for Halifax (2008–2015) and NDP deputy leader (2012–2015).^{[18][19][35][36]}
• Avi Lewis – documentary filmmaker, broadcaster, and co-author of the Leap Manifesto, son of former Ontario NDP leader Stephen Lewis and grandson of former federal NDP leader David Lewis.^{[18][19][34][37]}
• Anne McGrath – Deputy Chief of Staff to Alberta Premier Rachel Notley (2015–present), National Director of the NDP (2014–2015), President of the NDP (2006–2009)^[38]
• Tom Mulcair – Leader of the Opposition (2012–2015), Leader of the NDP (2012–present), MP for Outremont (2007–present)^{[2][3][4][10]}
• Rachel Notley – Premier of Alberta (2015–present), leader of the Alberta New Democratic Party (2014–present), Alberta MLA for Edmonton-Strathcona (2008–present).^[38]
• Peter Stoffer – MP for Sackville—Eastern Shore (2004–2015) and Sackville—Musquodoboit Valley—Eastern Shore (1997–2004).^[39]
• Brian Topp – Chief of Staff to Alberta Premier Rachel Notley (2015–present), President of the NDP (2011). Placed second in the 2012 leadership race.^[18][19][38]

Opinion polling

The polls below were conducted before nominations for the leadership closed and therefore include potential candidates for the leadership race.

New Democratic Party voters / supporters

References

New Democratic Party
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