New Democrats Confirm Five Contestants for Party Leadership

The NDP is announcing today that five individuals have met the requirements under the Leadership Rules related to the entry fee and nomination signatures, and will appear on the ballot for the leadership vote. The nomination period is now closed.

Those five individuals are:

Rob Ashton Tanille Johnston Avi Lewis Heather McPherson Tony McQuail

"Party members are hopeful about the future of our movement, and thankful to see these five individuals step up and offer their visions for its future," said Mary Shortall, President of Canada's NDP. "With the close of the nomination period and the cut-off

for the sale of new memberships, the contestants and their campaigns can now shift into the next phase of this exciting leadership race."

The party will host an official leadership debate on Thursday, February 19 at 5 p.m. PT in BC's lower mainland. It will be hosted by award-winning journalist Hannah Thibedeau. The new Leader will be announced at the national convention in Winnipeg on Sunday, March 29, 2026.