Key challenges ahead for Jagmeet Singh, federal New Democratic Party leader
OTTAWA — The federal NDP can now turn its focus to some more immediate challenges now that it has settled on Ontario provincial politician Jagmeet Singh as its newest leader. Here’s what tops the list, according to long-time party members:
1. Party unity
One of the most pressing issues for a political party after a leadership race is the issue of party unity and the NDP is no exception, said former party national director Karl Belanger. While the lengthy race to replace Tom Mulcair was not as “divisive and spectacularly aggressive” as the Conservative leadership competition, he still believes the candidates and their campaigns need to heal their divisions now the race is complete. “It is a difficult thing to do,” Belanger said. “It doesn’t come necessarily automatically.”
2. A byelection in Quebec