Interim NDP leader outlines plan to reconnect with working people after election loss

The NDP have chosen Don Davies to replace Jagmeet Singh as leader on an interim basis, here’s why he was chosen.

Jagmeet Singh’s interim successor Don Davies says rebuilding the New Democratic Party after the federal party’s worst-ever election result will start with reconnecting with working people.

“This party was built by and for working people to fight for fairness, dignity, and opportunity,” Davies said in a statement issued by the party. “That’s the foundation we will rebuild together.”

After weeks of asserting national polling wasn’t fully capturing the party’s regional support, and downplaying concerns about a collapse of NDP support, Singh announced his resignation on election night after losing most of the seats the party entered the 2025 race with, including his own.

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Outlining Davies’ initial plans to rebuild and renew the NDP, the party says it is now conducting a “thorough review” of the election results, and Davies will be engaging in an “open, grassroots process” that will involve listening to the communities that make up the party’s base.

“We need to take a hard look at how we got to where we are, and we need a clear view of where we’re going,” Davies said. “We need to reconnect with working people and show them that the NDP is their party, the one that fights and delivers for them.”

Davies is now one of just seven NDP MPs that will have a seat in the House of Commons when the new Parliament kicks off later this month.

According to the party, the caucus has started to map out its approach in the new session and how they intend to “strategically use the balance of power it holds to push the government to deliver real results for people.”

Doing so, though, will be more challenging than it has been for the party in three decades.

Without official party status – a position the party last found themselves in, in 1993 – the New Democrats will be losing parliamentary funding for research offices and staffers and will have fewer opportunities to hold the Liberals accountable during question period.

Plus, Prime Minister Mark Carney has already stated outright that he has no interest in pursuing a formal governing agreement with the NDP, limiting Davies’ leverage to a vote-by-vote basis.

Nevertheless, Davies says the NDP will be prioritizing a few key policy areas in the months ahead: tackling housing affordability, expanding public health care, and pushing for better wages.

“The strength of the NDP has always come from our members, activists, labour and supporters,” Davies said. “I look forward to working with our caucus, our party, progressive allies and everyone ready to build a stronger, better, fairer Canada for everyone.”

Davies has represented his Vancouver Kingsway, B.C. riding since 2008, and played a prominent role in the negotiations with the Liberals to secure dental and pharmacare during the last Parliament.

He will be leading the party’s rebuilding efforts, until New Democrats elect a permanent leader. Details and timelines for the NDP’s leadership election contest have yet to be established.