Jagmeet Singh is the new leader of the Federal NDP. 

 

The MPP From Brampton, Ontario defeated Niki Ashton, Charlie Angus and Guy Caron in a surprise first-ballot victory. His message, which won him the landslide victoy, was simple; love and courage. 

 

The the UWO and York University educated lawyer from Scarborough, Ontario was originally considered to have an outside shot at the leadership, but gained considerable momentum as the leadership race went on. His popularity sky-rocketd (both in Canada and around the world) after a video went viral from one of his campaign events. The video shows Singh being interupted by a protestor, to whom he responds by saying that she is both loved and welcomed. 

Singh captured just over 53% of the over 60,000 votes to come away with the victory. Northern Ontario MP Charlie Angus came in second with just under 20%. Niki Ashton finished third with just over 17% while Quebec MP Guy Caron came last with under 10%. 

 

Niki Ashton had a better showing in the 2017 race than the 2012 race, but it was not enough. She was eliminated in the 2012 leadership race in the first ballot, only receiving 3,737 votes (5.7%). Ashton lead a strong campaign this time around, garnering more than double the votes cast in her name five years ago. The loss comes less than a month after her father, Steve Ashton, lost the Manitoba NDP leadership race to Fort Rouge MLA Wab Kinew.

 

Ashton had the following message on Facebook for her supporters following the results of the election.

Ashton released a new, longer statement Monday morning which can be found here.

 

 

Full Results:

Jagmeet Singh, MPP - Bramalea—Gore—Malton

35,266 (53.8%)

 

Charlie Angus, MP - Timmins—James Bay

12,705 (19.4%)

 

Niki Ashton, MP - Churchill—Keewatinook Aski

11,374 (17.4%)

 

Guy Caron, MP - Rimouski—Neigette—Témiscouata—Les Basques

6,164 (9.4%)