With support slipping and endorsements crossing party lines, the NDP leader hits the streets — and the picket lines — in a bid to reconnect with B.C. voters

As federal election day looms, NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh is doubling down on his home turf — but the numbers suggest a tough road ahead.

Touring Burnaby Central, the riding he hopes to retain, Singh struck a confident tone Tuesday despite polls showing his party may be left with just one seat in all of British Columbia. That projected stronghold? Vancouver East, held by veteran NDP MP Jenny Kwan.

“I’m confident I’ll continue serving Burnaby Central,” Singh told reporters in Vancouver. “But more than that, I believe Canada needs New Democrats right now.”

Polls Show Tough Terrain for NDP

According to 338Canada, current projections show the NDP winning only one B.C. seat, a sharp drop from previous years. A recent Leger poll suggests the NDP holds just 11% of committed support in the province, trailing far behind the Liberals at 45% and the Conservatives at 37%.

It’s a sobering statistic for a party that, at the start of the campaign, held nearly half its national caucus in B.C.

On the Ground, Not the Stage

While other parties draw thousands to high-energy rallies, the NDP appears focused on grassroots momentum. Singh spent part of Tuesday marching in the rain with striking LifeLabs workers, joining a modest picket line to show solidarity.

“If you want us to keep fighting for you, you’ve got to vote for us,” Singh said, pointing to NDP-backed initiatives like dental care and pharmacare, secured through the party’s now-ended agreement with the Liberals.

Housing Crisis Front and Centre

Singh used his Vancouver stop to spotlight housing policy — one of the most urgent concerns among B.C. voters.

A New Democrat government, Singh said, would:

• Permanently ban foreign homebuyers
• Close loopholes that allow numbered companies and corporate proxies to skirt restrictions

• Tax home sale profits as income if the property is flipped within five years (excluding primary residences)

The NDP’s proposal comes as housing affordability dominates campaign stops across Toronto, Halifax, and Vancouver. Singh argued that the current system fuels speculation while locking out everyday Canadians.

“This isn’t about cottages or cabins,” he said. “It’s about protecting family homes from being treated like stock market assets.”

Endorsements — And Cross-Currents

Despite Singh’s campaign push, the NDP is facing challenges not just from opponents — but from within its former ranks.

Murray Rankin, once an NDP MP and MLA, has thrown his support behind Liberal candidates Jonathan Wilkinson and Taleeb Noormohamed in B.C.

Singh addressed the defection head-on:

“To suggest we need fewer New Democrats at a time like this is just wrong. We need more voices standing up for workers, families, and our environment.”

Still, some within the NDP remain loyal. Both Don Davies (Vancouver Kingsway) and Laurel Collins (Victoria) posted on social media that they, too, have been endorsed by Rankin, adding a layer of complexity to the narrative.

Community Over Crowds

As Singh wrapped up the day with a private meeting with Grand Chief Stewart Philip of the Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs — who endorsed him on the spot — it was clear that Singh is banking on personal connection and principled policy over mass appeal.

“Jagmeet understands people,” said Philip. “Family, community, rights — that’s what drives him. And that’s why I support him.”

What’s Next?

With the election just weeks away, Singh’s task is clear: turn dwindling poll numbers into real votes — one door knock, picket line, and policy pitch at a time.

Whether his strategy will break through remains to be seen, but one thing’s certain: the NDP isn’t giving up the West without a fight.

Blanchet pushes back on federal criticism, says Section 33 is key to provincial sovereignty — even before courts weigh in

In a bold move that took the campaign trail beyond Quebec’s borders, Bloc Québécois Leader Yves-François Blanchet made a rare appearance in Ottawa Tuesday — standing on the steps of the Supreme Court of Canada to deliver a constitutional message loud and clear: hands off the notwithstanding clause.

Blanchet’s remarks come amid renewed national debate over Section 33 of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, which allows provincial governments to shield legislation from court challenges — even when that legislation potentially infringes on fundamental rights such as freedom of religion, expression, or assembly.

“The legislatures of Quebec and the provinces are sovereign,” Blanchet said. “They should not be undermined by premature legal battles.”

What’s at Stake: Section 33 and the Limits of Federal Power

Known formally as the notwithstanding clause, Section 33 empowers legislatures to override certain Charter protections for renewable five-year terms. While rarely used in much of Canada, Quebec has made pre-emptive use of the clause central to major legislation.

Examples include:

• Bill 21, Quebec’s secularism law restricting public servants from wearing religious symbols
  
• Recent reforms to language legislation aimed at strengthening protections for French in Quebec
  Blanchet defended these moves, saying they reflect the will of Quebecers and fall within provincial jurisdiction.

Carney, Courts, and Clashing Visions

Blanchet’s comments come in response to recent remarks by Liberal Leader Mark Carney, who said a Liberal government would support a legal challenge to Quebec’s latest language law if it reaches the Supreme Court — arguing that the courts should assess Charter violations before the clause is invoked.

The clash reveals a deeper tension: Should provinces be allowed to pre-emptively shield laws from judicial review? Or should courts get first say?

“We should not resort to legal challenges to prevent a legislature from exercising its rights,” Blanchet asserted. “Especially when those measures have strong public support.”

Supreme Court Selection: A New Bloc Proposal

Blanchet went a step further, proposing that Quebec — not the federal cabinet — should select its own three justices to sit on the Supreme Court of Canada.

The move, he argued, would further safeguard Quebec’s distinct legal culture and political autonomy in matters involving the Charter.

A National Debate with Local Roots

While the Bloc leader’s Ottawa stop is unusual, the message is aimed squarely at Quebec voters who see the federal government as overreaching into provincial affairs.

The timing also underscores how debates over secularism, language, and legal autonomy continue to define not only Quebec politics, but the contours of national unity and Canadian constitutional law.

As the federal election campaign unfolds, expect the future of the notwithstanding clause — and who gets to decide when it’s used — to be a flashpoint in the battle between provincial rights and federal oversight.

Mayor Canniff says essential services will stay intact — but senior government support is crucial for the plan to work

In a move that signals both fiscal restraint and community commitment, Chatham-Kent Mayor Darrin Canniff has set a 3% property tax increase target for 2026 — aiming to maintain vital services without slashing community assets.

Using newly granted strong mayor powers, Canniff introduced the directive during a budget presentation to council Monday, emphasizing that the approach relies heavily on financial backing from senior levels of government.

“We Can’t Stand Still”

Mayor Canniff framed the discussion with a question:

“Do we stand still? Do we stagnate? Or do we invest now to see a better Chatham-Kent in the future?”

With affordability top of mind, Canniff stressed that residents shouldn’t have to worry about losing access to libraries, museums, recreational centres, or fire services.

“I’m not asking for cuts — period,” he said. “We are a community of communities, and we need to support both our largest and smallest.”

Learning from the Past, Planning for the Future

Last year’s 4.99% tax increase, passed in November as part of Chatham-Kent’s multi-year budget plan, sparked concern among residents — particularly around fears of service reductions. This time, Canniff is signaling a more balanced approach.

He called on councillors to offer cost-saving suggestions that maintain services, while also urging the municipality to think 5, 10, and 20 years ahead when it comes to infrastructure investment.

“The worst thing we can do is wait,” he said. “Delays only drive costs up.”

Infrastructure and Tariffs: A Tough Balancing Act

Amid ongoing uncertainty tied to U.S. tariffs, Canniff made it clear that now is not the time to scale back municipal investment.

“When I hear people say, ‘We can’t invest — the tariffs are up and times are tough,’ I point to both provincial and federal governments. They’re doing the opposite. They’re stimulating the economy.”

Lobbying for a Fairer Deal

Alongside the tax plan, council approved a motion to ramp up advocacy efforts for more provincial and federal funding. Municipal CFO Gord Quinton didn’t mince words:

“The property tax system is broken in Ontario,” he said. “We need new revenue tools.”

Among the staff’s top funding requests:

• 75% provincial funding for homelessness and supportive housing initiatives

• Matching funds to meet Chatham-Kent’s 10-year asset management plan

• Removing the $10M cap on the Ontario Community Infrastructure Fund (OCIF)

• Doubling and indexing the Canada Community Building Fund post-election

CAO Michael Duben added that Chatham-Kent is underfunded compared to other municipalities, and based on the province’s own formulas, the city should receive at least $25.5 million in OCIF allocations.

“That’s one of the things we really need to advocate,” Duben emphasized. “We’d be having a very different conversation if that funding came through.”

What’s Next?

Council and staff will now work collaboratively to lobby senior governments for one-time grants tied to approved capital projects, while keeping community needs and long-term growth in sharp focus.

As Canniff puts it:

“We can be responsible without being regressive. Now is the time to invest in the Chatham-Kent we want tomorrow — not just maintain the one we have today.”