United Food and Commercial Workers endorses Singh for NDP leader

OTTAWA -- The United Food and Commercial Workers union is endorsing Ontario legislator Jagmeet Singh for federal NDP leader.

Union national president Paul Meinema says Singh is the candidate who best represents the interests of his members and says Singh will help expand the party "to new heights with a new generation."

Singh is among four candidates seeking the party's top job.

The other contenders are Ontario MP Charlie Angus, Manitoba MP Niki Ashton and Quebec MP Guy Caron.

Later today, the NDP is expected to release new membership figures.

Membership is a key issue for the party that had about 45,000 members late last year -- a far cry from the 120,000 members the NDP had following the 2012 leadership race won by Tom Mulcair.