B.C.’s NDP premier says he’s not interested in Jagmeet Singh’s job

NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh says that despite his loss, and the loss of NDP seats across the country, the party will 'continue to fight for Canada.'

Months after winning his first election as provincial NDP leader, B.C. Premier David Eby says he has no intention of replacing Jagmeet Singh.

Speaking to reporters Tuesday, Eby congratulated Singh on his eight-year tenure as federal NDP leader, particularly for helping enact national dental care and pharmacare.

“If you can’t afford medicine, if you can’t get your teeth fixed, it makes it really challenging to have any kind of quality of life,” said Eby, speaking outside the B.C. legislature.

“Jagmeet and his colleagues delivered that for Canadians and made a real difference for them, and I want to thank him for his service.”

Singh faced a challenging election campaign that ultimately saw many NDP supporters rally behind Mark Carney’s Liberals in the face of daunting threats to Canada’s economy and sovereignty from U.S. President Donald Trump.

At a speech late on election night, Singh announced he will step down once an interim federal NDP leader is appointed.

“We choose this life because of the chance to change the country you love for the better,” Singh said, often pausing to hold back tears. “It’s tough, but we are only defeated if we stop fighting.”

Asked whether he would seek Singh’s role on Tuesday, Eby gave an unequivocal “No.”

“I don’t have any interest in that job,” the premier said.

“I do hope that someone steps up to run for the federal party that has a commitment to bringing Canadians together, a commitment to rebuilding the party and ensuring that the federal NDP can play an important role in the future of Canada.”

Eby first became premier through a B.C. NDP leadership convention in 2022, after his predecessor John Horgan stepped aside in the midst of a third battle with cancer.

He was elected to return to the role in a provincial general election last October, narrowly defeating Conservative rival John Rustad.

With files from CTV News Ottawa’s Spencer Van Dyk