Lori Idlout not running for NDP leadership
While not officially endorsing anyone, Nunavut MP says candidate Avi Lewis has spoken strongly for Indigenous rights
Nunavut NDP MP Lori Idlout says she will not be running for leadership of the federal NDP at the leadership convention scheduled for the end of March in Winnipeg. (File photo)
As the deadline for entry into the NDP leadership race approaches, Nunavut MP Lori Idlout does not plan to put her name on the ballot.
“I’m not,” Idlout said Monday in response to a question about whether she plans to run.
Former NDP leader Jagmeet Singh resigned after losing his seat during the last federal election in April. Vancouver Kingsway MP Don Davies was chosen as interim NDP leader soon after but is not running in the leadership race to replace Singh.
Over the past several months leading up to the Jan. 31 deadline for entry into the leadership race, five contenders have appeared. Information on their backgrounds is listed on the federal NDP’s leadership website.
Candidate Rob Ashton is described by the NDP as a dockworker who has been a union member for more than 30 years. He is also president of the International Longshore Workers Union Canada.
Tanille Johnston is described as a “proud” Indigenous woman from the WeWaiKai First Nation. She is a social worker and mother from Campbell River, B.C.
Avi Lewis is a longtime journalist and activist from Vancouver. He is the grandson of former federal NDP leader David Lewis, and son of former Ontario NDP leader Stephen Lewis.
Edmonton Strathcona MP Heather McPherson is the only sitting parliamentarian running to lead the NDP. She was first elected in 2019.
Tony McQuail emigrated to Canada from Pennsylvania in 1971 where he had been active in the anti-Vietnam war movement. He is an organic farmer from Huron County, Ont.
NDP Winnipeg Centre MP Leah Gazan officially endorsed Lewis on Jan. 15. Thus far, no other members of the seven-person NDP caucus have endorsed a candidate for leadership.
Idlout said she will not be endorsing any potential candidates, but said she appreciated Gazan’s decision to share an endorsement.
Lewis has “been strongest in talking about what he would do as a leader regarding Indigenous rights,” Idlout said. “He has been the strongest out of all the other leadership candidates.”
The NDP leadership convention is scheduled to be held at the end of March in Winnipeg.
Yay!!!!
Fireworks time and square dance.🎵❤️😂
Thanks Lori. Thanks for the good news.
The NDP just dodged a bullet.
This endorsement makes a lot of sense, Lewis is the candidate whose policy ideas offer the most to people in the territories, whether they’re Inuit or not.
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Better quality telecommunications and grocery options, at cheaper prices! Proper housing support, the list goes on!