Nunavik MP expected to say no to NDP leadership bid

The race for leadership of the New Democratic Party is officially on.

And, according to the L’Actualite magazine website on Thursday, high-profile former Cree leader Roméo Saganash — now the NDP MP for Abitibi-Baie-James-Nunavik-Eeyou — was backing Brian Topp, the only one to publicly declare his candidacy for the NDP leadership so far.

Saganash is expected to confirm the report Sept. 16 in a speech to the chamber of commerce in Val-d’Or.

Saganash had been urged by many to seek the leadership, and said earlier this month that he was considering his options.

Topp is the only one to publicly declare his candidacy, though his team confirmed he has not yet submitted his paperwork even though Thursday was the earliest candidates could do so. He’s expected to resign as NDP party president once he has registered.

Candidates have until Jan. 24, 2012 to enter the race. New Democrats will vote on a new leader on March 24, 2012.

Participants must pay a $15,000 registration fee and gather 500 signatures from supporters in five regions across the country, at least half of them from women.

Topp has already won the support of former leader Ed Broadbent and Gatineau MP Francoise Boivin.

with files from Postmedia News