OTTAWA — Rob Ashton, president of the International Longshore and Warehouse Union, has officially entered the race for the federal NDP leadership, positioning himself as the “first working-class labour candidate” and a champion for Canadian workers.
Speaking in Toronto on Wednesday alongside supporters, Ashton, a 30-year dockworker, said the NDP must return to its roots and reconnect with its union base if it hopes to regain the trust of Canadians.
“I decided that workers needed a voice in Canada,” Ashton told The Canadian Press. “The Conservatives say they have our back, the Liberals stand right beside us, allegedly. But when an election happens, they disappear, the rich get richer, and workers are left in the dust.”
The launch comes after the party’s devastating losses in the April 28 election, when the NDP was reduced from 24 to seven seats in the House of Commons, losing its recognized party status. Former leader Jagmeet Singh lost his own Vancouver-area seat and resigned that night.
Ashton argued that Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre and Ontario Premier Doug Ford have successfully courted private-sector union members by tapping into frustrations over the cost of living — a strategy the NDP should reclaim.
“Workers are angry right now. Me, I’m friggin’ furious because of what’s been going on,” Ashton said. “We want something to believe in. We want to be able to say, ‘I’ve got a good job, and the NDP knows how to provide us good jobs.’ We’re getting tired of slogans.”
If elected leader, Ashton said his priorities would include job creation through major investments in home construction and shipbuilding. He acknowledged his French-language skills are still developing but said he is committed to learning in order to represent all Canadians.
Ashton joins Alberta MP Heather McPherson and documentarian Avi Lewis as the first official entrants in the race. McPherson said Wednesday the party must broaden its appeal: “We’ve often been too precious, too narrow, too small, and too closed. The majority of Canadians are New Democrats — they just don’t know it yet.”
Montreal activist Yves Engler and Campbell River, B.C., city councillor Tanille Johnston are also expected to declare their candidacies.
The first candidate forum is expected later this month, with two formal debates scheduled for November. Candidates must collect 500 signatures meeting demographic and regional requirements and pay a $100,000 entry fee to qualify for the ballot.
New Democrats will select their next leader on March 29, 2026, at the party’s annual convention in Winnipeg.