New Democratic Party (NDP) Leader Jagmeet Singh expressed continued confidence in his campaign as he addressed reporters in Vancouver, standing firm in his belief that New Democrats remain a vital force in Canadian politics despite polling that suggests significant challenges ahead in British Columbia.
Singh, who is seeking re-election in the newly renamed riding of Burnaby Central, said he’s confident in his seat and in the NDP’s appeal to voters across the country.
“I’m confident that I’ll be able to serve the people of Burnaby Central, and I’m also confident people in this country need New Democrats,” Singh told reporters Tuesday.
Recent projections from polling aggregator 338Canada suggest the NDP may only hold on to one seat in B.C.—Vancouver East, currently represented by veteran MP Jenny Kwan.
Despite the odds, Singh and his team are doubling down on a grassroots approach to the campaign.
“What people are doing on the ground is door-knocking, they’re phoning, they’re canvassing, they’re busy actually bringing home the vote,” Kwan said. “To have a rally, yeah, it feels nice, but that doesn’t necessarily bring you the vote home.”
While Liberal and Conservative campaigns have focused on high-profile rallies, the NDP is targeting voter outreach in urban centres most affected by affordability issues. The party has recently made housing affordability a key plank of its platform, with announcements in Halifax, Toronto, and Vancouver.
Singh reiterated his commitment to combatting housing speculation and ensuring Canadians can afford homes in the communities they live in. An NDP government, he said, would make the current foreign homebuyer ban permanent and close loopholes by restricting numbered companies and corporate proxies from purchasing residential properties.
“This is about making sure homes are for people, not for profit,” Singh said.
The policy would exclude recreational properties such as cottages and cabins. Additionally, the NDP would implement a measure to tax profits from homes sold within five years of purchase—unless it’s a seller’s principal residence—in an effort to curb real estate flipping.
The Liberals, led by Mark Carney, have also focused on housing in recent days, pledging to directly build affordable homes as part of their national housing plan.
Singh also responded to endorsements by former B.C. NDP MP and MLA Murray Rankin, who has publicly backed Liberal candidates Jonathan Wilkinson and Taleeb Noormohamed. Singh respectfully disagreed, saying the need for a strong NDP presence in Parliament is more critical than ever.
“I think it’s wrong to suggest that in this time … that we need less New Democrats. We need more New Democrats,” Singh said.
Rankin has also offered support to Vancouver Kingsway NDP candidate Don Davies, who confirmed the endorsement on social media.
As the federal election campaign hits the halfway mark, Singh remains steadfast in his belief that the NDP’s policies on health care, housing, and affordability will resonate with voters looking for bold, people-first solutions.