The NDP is trying to boost the profile of its new leader Jagmeet Singh, launching an introductory tour in Ottawa on Sunday that is expected to take the partyB次元官网网址檚 new leader into every province and territory before a policy convention in February.
One of SinghB次元官网网址檚 main goals is to unlock the partyB次元官网网址檚 potential in suburban ridings around Toronto and Vancouver B次元官网网址� a growth plan that could represent a significant shift for the party that has not been witnessed since it made a historic breakthrough in Quebec, said former NDP national director Karl Belanger.
B次元官网网址淚 am talking about a geopolitical shift in the NDP universe on a scale that was seen in 2011 when the Orange Wave was created by Jack Layton and the NDP,B次元官网网址� he said in an interview.
B次元官网网址淭hose areas are, in this country, key to form government and thatB次元官网网址檚 what JagmeetB次元官网网址檚 leadership brings to the table and it does have some Liberal organizers worried.B次元官网网址�
There are no guarantees, however, that Singh can deliver in competitive suburban ridings, noting the party must also stay connected with supporters in Quebec, where it has 16 seats.
B次元官网网址淭he realities of these voters are quite different than those from the 905 and the greater Vancouver area,B次元官网网址� he said.
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B次元官网网址淚n that sense, it will be a challenge for the NDP to be able to connect with both pools of voters. ThatB次元官网网址檚 a big challenge. If you are unable to make the inroads in the region you are seeking as growth B次元官网网址� but at the same time you lose the base that you have, you donB次元官网网址檛 end up with very much at the end.B次元官网网址�
NDP strategist Robin MacLachlan, also the vice-president of the public affairs firm Summa Strategies, said it will be key for Singh and the party to visit the province early and often.
Singh and his parliamentary leader Guy Caron recently paid a visit to the Quebec riding of Lac-Saint-Jean, where a byelection will be held on Oct. 23 B次元官网网址� a competition sparked by the departure of Conservative MP Denis Lebel.
MacLachlan said the campaign-style national leaderB次元官网网址檚 tour in the weeks ahead will allow the party to tap into SinghB次元官网网址檚 strengths.
B次元官网网址淛agmeetB次元官网网址檚 greatest challenge is of course his greatest opportunity: a great many Canadians havenB次元官网网址檛 had the chance to get to know him yet,B次元官网网址� he said.
B次元官网网址淭hatB次元官网网址檚 not surprising for a new federal leader but it is an incredible opportunity.B次元官网网址�
The more people get to know Singh, the more they like him, MacLachlan said, noting this was evident throughout the NDP leadership race and in the recent stop in Lac-Saint-Jean.
Singh is not a B次元官网网址渜uick fixB次元官网网址� leader, he added, pointing to the organizational abilities that his team demonstrated during his leadership campaign through fundraising and signing up new members to the party.
B次元官网网址淵ou are going to see him and his team bring that same energy to the NDP,B次元官网网址� he said.
B次元官网网址淚t is badly needed. The organization has been in a rut since the last election B次元官网网址� it needs that rejuvenation, it needs the new tools and energy that comes from a team like JagmeetB次元官网网址檚.B次元官网网址�
Kristy Kirkup, The Canadian Press
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