Longtime Vancouver MP Don Davies has been selected to replace outgoing NDP leader Jagmeet Singh, on an interim basis. The decision was made by the NDP’s Federal Council, in consultation with the party caucus, after Singh announced his resignation on election night. Davies, who has represented the riding of Vancouver Kingsway since 2008, was one of only seven NDP candidates elected or re-elected to Parliament. That was short of the 12-seat threshold required to retain official party status. “While the recent election results were not what we hoped for, our commitment to building a better Canada has never been stronger,” said NDP president Mary Shortall, in a statement announcing Davies’ appointment. “With a renewed sense of purpose, we will hold the government to account and keep fighting for the issues we heard about on doorsteps across the country – public health care, affordable homes, good jobs, and making the ultra-rich finally pay their fair share.”While the final count from last month’s election has not been announced, Davies beat Liberal challenger Amy K. Gill by just 310 votes in the preliminary count. Singh was also defeated, coming in third in his Burnaby Central riding. Following the vote, B.C.’s NDP Premier David Eby said he didn’t have “any interest” in replacing Singh, but congratulated the federal party leader for his legislative achievements, particularly for helping to enact national dental care and pharmacare. “Jagmeet and his colleagues delivered that for Canadians and made a real difference for them, and I want to thank him for his service.”
