The four declared NDP leadership candidates square off in first debate

By Sarah Kazak

Four candidates running for the leadership of the federal NDP had their first debate on March 12 at a downtown Ottawa hotel.

Speaking to an overflowing audience in a ballroom at the Delta on Lyon Street, each of the candidates — MPs Guy Caron, Charlie Angus, Niki Ashton and Peter Julian — took questions pertaining to various subjects including free trade negotiations, the rise of U.S. President Donald Trump, as well as more mundane topics such as favourite foods and winter sports.

The MPs agreed that income inequality is among the biggest problems facing Canadians and that the party must be the voice of workers, immigrants and Indigenous people.

There was also a consensus among the candidates for a need for the party to better connect to Canadians.
While all the candidates supported the idea of better protecting Canada’s environment and taking action to prevent climate change, they expressed concerns on how to reconcile environmental and economic issues.

The candidates also focused on the importance of restoring the party’s spirit after it lost its official opposition status in the 2015 federal election.

In preparation for the 2019 election, there was talk of crafting and communicating a bold, progressive vision that highlights how the Liberal government is not delivering on its campaign promises.

Caron joked about the upcoming federal election, stating that Prime Minister Justin Trudeau “will be quoting another famous Canadian named Justin. He will tell progressives, ‘Is it too late now to say sorry?’ ” ─ a reference to Ontario-born singer Justin Bieber’s 2015 hit single Sorry.

Although they do have similar views, the MPs were seeking ways to set themselves apart. Julian focused on his long history of party involvement and activism and Angus on his connections and conversations with ordinary people. Ashton identified herself as a “democratic socialist and intersectional eco-feminist,” while Caron’s objective, being relatively unfamiliar to Canadians, was for people to get to know him.

The candidates debate again on March 26 in Montreal.

Party members will vote for a new leader in October.