Jagmeet Singh has announced he will step down as leader of the New Democratic Party following a devastating election night that saw him lose his seat and the NDP fall below the threshold for official party status.
Speaking to a somber room of supporters at his campaign headquarters in Burnaby, B.C., Singh fought back tears as he conceded defeat and acknowledged the deep disappointment within the party. “Choosing to commit your life to politics obviously comes with some sacrifice,” he said. “But we choose this life because of the chance to change the country you love for the better. We may lose sometimes, and those losses hurt.”
Singh, who has represented the Burnaby South riding since 2019, came in third in the newly redistributed Burnaby Central riding, marking the end of his time in the House of Commons. The result also contributed to a historic low for the NDP, which failed to secure the 12 seats required to maintain official party status in Parliament.
“I know this night is a disappointing night for New Democrats,” Singh said, addressing both candidates and volunteers. “I spent time with you. You’re amazing. I’m so sorry you’re not going to be able to represent your communities. I know you’re going to continue to fight for them.”
Singh’s leadership faced increasing scrutiny throughout the campaign as the NDP struggled to gain traction in an election dominated by the battle between Liberal leader Mark Carney and Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre. While affordability and healthcare had long been key NDP issues, they were overshadowed by concerns about national sovereignty and the aggressive posture of U.S. President Donald Trump—issues that turned the election into a largely two-way contest.
Despite polling that consistently showed the NDP lagging, Singh had remained optimistic in the final days of the campaign. Speaking to CTV’s George Stroumboulopoulos on Friday, Singh expressed confidence in his party’s internal numbers and predicted stronger results than national forecasts suggested.
Hours before delivering his resignation speech, Singh addressed volunteers in Port Moody with one final push. “Even when we don’t form a majority, we get stuff done, like dental care,” he reminded them. “We’re able to stand up to any government that wants to cut the things that you value. So remind people—vote NDP to defend our kind of Canada.”
Singh, a former Ontario MPP and lawyer, first made history in 2017 as the first person of colour to lead a major federal party in Canada. Initially leading the party from outside Parliament, he secured his federal seat in a 2019 byelection. Over the course of his leadership, he built a national profile as a human rights advocate, progressive voice, and cultural figurehead.
Outside politics, Singh is known for his openness about his personal life. He married entrepreneur Gurkiran Kaur in 2018 in a ceremony that attracted national media attention and welcomed their daughters Anhad in 2022 and Dani in 2023.
Reflecting on his journey and the struggles that defined both his life and political career, Singh struck a philosophical tone in his final address. “In all those struggles, I found that you can either laugh or cry,” he said. “I’ve learned to have joy in the struggle.”
Singh’s departure signals the end of an era for the NDP. His successor—once chosen—will inherit a party without official standing in Parliament, but with a passionate, if diminished, base. As Singh exits the political spotlight, he leaves behind a legacy defined by optimism, resilience, and a relentless belief in a more compassionate Canada.