On September 9, 2011, the federal council of the New Democratic Party met to map out the leadership campaign that will end with the election of a successor to Jack Layton who passed away on August 22. The party is currently led by Quebec MP Nycole Turmel. Turmel was chosen as interim leader by Layton last July when he announced he was temporarily stepping down to concentrate on his cancer treatment.
The rookie MP is not expected to seek the permanent leadership.
Next NDP Leader to be Chosen on March 24
The leadership convention will be held at the Canadian National Exhibition (CNE) grounds in March with the vote taking place on March 24. The voting will be conducted on a one member - one vote basis.
The official campaign is set to begin on September 15 and candidates have 60 days from that date to formally register for a leadership run. Those wishing to succeed Layton will be required to pay $15,000 to register.
During the 192 day campaign, registered candidates will be subject to a spending limit of $50,000.
Although no one has said they are definitely running , several high profile party members have indicated they are considering running for the leadership post that will include becoming leader of the Official Opposition.
Thomas Mulcair
Thomas Mulcair, a lawyer and former university professor, is a former member of the Quebec Liberal Party. He was the MNA for the riding of Chomedy between 1994 and 2007 and between 2003 and 2006, he was the Minister of Sustainable Development, Environment and Parks in the cabinet of Premier Jean Charest.
Mulcair left provincial politics in 2007 to run federally for the NDP in a by-election. He won that contest and became the federal Member of Parliament for the riding of Outremont. During the previous Parliament, he was the only NDP MP from the province of Quebec.
Mulcair was later made one of the two deputy leaders of the party, BC MP Libby Davies being the other one. In the current Parliament, he serves as House Leader for the Official Opposition.
To successfully win the leadership, Muclair will have to overcome the fact that he is not well known outside of the province of Quebec.
Pat Martin
Martin was first elected to Parliament in 1997 and has held his Winnipeg Centre seat ever since. His past work experience includes work as a carpenter and he has been employed in mines, done construction work and was employed with the forest service.
Martin has also held executive positions in trade unions and trade union councils. His interests include workers' rights and fighting government corruption.
The Manitoba MP is in favour of a merger between the NDP and the Liberals. In an article in the Winnipeg Free Press that is posted on his website ,Martin is quoted as saying, " I firmly believe we have the ability to stop the Harper agenda. I'm serving notice that that's what I want to hear from a leadership candidate. And I'm not alone."
Martin further added if no one runs on the platform of merging the two parties, he will throw his hat into the ring.
Paul Dewar
Dewar was first elected as the MP for Ottawa Centre in 2006. The son of Marion Dewar, a former mayor of Ottawa and NDP MP, he was a teacher prior to entering politics.
Last week, Dewar told Postmedia News of the possibility of his entering the race to succeed Layton. Dewar said, "I'm at the point where I'm seriously considering it." He added that he is encouraged by all the support he has received, both in and out of caucus.
Brian Topp
Brian Topp is the only one of the present potential leadership contenders who has never held elective office and who is not now a sitting member of Parliament. According to the Globe and Mail, the name of the current president of the party had been bantered around by party officials even prior to Layton's death.
Like Layton and Mulcair, Topp is a Quebecker and fluently bilingual. As the NDP now forms the Official Opposition and feel they can defeat the Tories to form a government, it is thought that a bilingual leader is essential.
Besides his work in the labour movement, Topp played a major role in all of Layton's national campaigns for the NDP. He is also recognized for playing a big part in the 2008 coalition that was comprised of the NDP, the Liberals and the Bloc.
A difficulty Topp will face is that he is virtually unknown out of New Democrat party circles.
As the formal race heats up, other candidates are likely to join the contest to become the next leader of the Official Opposition.
Arthur Weinreb - Weinreb is an author, associate editor and columnist with Canada Free Press and the Canadian Affairs Feature Writer for Suite 101.
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