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.
