Heather McPherson has officially joined the NDP leadership contest, aiming to unite the party and steer them out of their recent poor performance in the federal election. Following the resignation of former leader Jagmeet Singh in the wake of the April election, McPherson becomes the second prominent figure to announce her candidacy. Activist and renowned journalist Avi Lewis, who launched his bid over a week ago, is also in the race.
While McPherson may not have the same level of fame as Lewis, she stands out as the leading contender as the sole candidate currently holding a seat in the House of Commons. The list of leadership candidates on the Elections Canada website includes Rob Ashton, and political activist Yves Engler has expressed his intention to run as well.
Launching her campaign in her electoral district of Edmonton-Strathcona, McPherson has put forward a fresh vision for the federal New Democratic Party, envisioning it as a cohesive political family.
In her speech, which CBC News obtained an early copy of, McPherson touched upon the theme of inclusion. She reminisced about her family background, emphasizing the importance of bringing people together in a time of fractured communities and divisive politics.
Although she did not outline specific policy directions, McPherson reiterated her commitment to advocating for fair wages linked to the cost of living, affordable housing, reduced grocery prices, and improved public healthcare and education.
Former Alberta premier Rachel Notley showed her support for McPherson, praising her track record as the NDP’s foreign policy critic and highlighting her dedication to championing justice globally.
McPherson also addressed political divisions, calling out Conservative leaders for fostering discord and stressing the importance of unity and collaboration over division.
In conclusion, McPherson emphasized the need for the NDP to evolve and connect with a broader audience by embracing big ideas and engaging with grassroots communities. She urged the party to invest in its members and prepare for a potential upcoming election campaign.