WINNIPEG — Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew urged the NDP faithful to stay united and focused on bread-and-butter issues Friday as New Democrats gathered for an existential party convention and leadership vote.
In a rousing speech, Kinew said that while “it’s important to be the conscience of Parliament” and a “progressive voice on the national political scene,” his provincial NDP government has shown “why winning matters.”
“Take care of the basics for people, look after the cost of living and health care, and then you can do the big things in government that you dream of in progressive movements like the one animated by the room that we’re in here,” said Kinew, one of the most popular politicians in Canada, as he touted his government’s work.
It was a direct appeal to a pool of leadership candidates dominated by the contrasting visions of Avi Lewis, the democratic socialist and fundraising front-runner, and Heather McPherson, the Edmonton MP who has trailed despite her pitch for the party to prioritize winning.
“So to leadership candidates, my best piece of advice? Win,” Kinew said to cheers from the crowd at the RBC Convention Centre.
“It’s way better than the alternative.”
The NDP’s new leader will be announced Sunday after a seven-month race in which tensions over the party’s identity and future direction have played out despite little public attention. The prospect of a victory for Lewis, now widely seen as the front-runner, has attracted attacks over his climate activism that has angered provincial wings of the NDP.
McPherson framed her leadership pitch, in part, around fixing the federal party’s frayed relationship with its provincial wings, which share members and some resources.
Provincial NDP leaders have, however, stayed out of the race. Only Kinew and Ontario’s Marit Stiles were confirmed to appear at the weekend convention. Premier David Eby of B.C. and opposition leaders Carla Beck of Saskatchewan and Naheed Nenshi of Alberta have all said they will not attend.
Kinew, appearing as standard-bearer for the New Democrats, opened his speech with a declaration that “not a single Canadian should ever be put in harm’s way to try and defend Donald Trump’s foolish Iranian war,” adding that “no American child from the blue collar or the middle class should have to die in Iran” either.
“Let the Epstein class fight the Epstein war,” Kinew shouted to loud cheers, referring to speculation that the U.S. president authorized attacks on Iran to distract from the Jeffrey Epstein scandal.
Lamenting the federal party’s state in comparison to the star power of Kinew, New Democrat organizer James Adair told the Star the Manitoba premier’s speech was “probably the most prime ministerial speech that we’ll hear all weekend.”
Still, Kinew was “setting a good example for the leadership contenders” by preaching unity, Adair said, making him “hopeful about the party’s future” despite its current state.
A new Abacus Data poll released Friday suggested that only 34 per cent of Canadians would consider voting for the party now — on par with its level of support a year ago but a big drop from the 50 per cent support it had a decade ago.
The poll suggested Canadians have mixed views on the NDP’s role, with 52 per cent of respondents saying it’s not currently relevant in Canadian politics and a third saying they wouldn’t vote for the party because it “feels like a wasted vote” or that the New Democrats are not “ready to govern.”
However, Abacus CEO David Coletto told the Star he believes it’s too early to write the NDP’s eulogy and that Canadians have not yet completely soured on the progressive party.
Canadian Labour Congress president Bea Bruske said the next NDP leader must prioritize the basic economic issues facing “vulnerable” workers amid the global instability brought on by Trump.
“The NDP has always focused on those issues as well, but it is getting swallowed up amongst a great amount of really important issues,” Bruske told the Star in a recent interview.
“You know, Indigenous rights issues are important, environmental issues are important. All of these issues are critically important,” Bruske said. “But if we don’t get the basics that are front and centre in people’s minds right now, we can’t fight for those other things either.”
Bruske emphasized Kinew’s message in an address to New Democrats, urging them not to leave the convention in “factions,” because doing so would be “abdicating our responsibility to the very people who need us.”
“Are you prepared to leave the social media debating club and actually talk to people about our shared values as progressives?” Bruske asked.
Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request.
There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again.
You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply.
Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page.
