NDP House leader mulls party leadership bid
• NDP House leader Peter Julian is stepping down from his position to focus on a potential leadership bid.
The B.C. MP announced Wednesday that he’s taking time to “explore” running for the federal NDP leadership, saying he was inspired by Canadians who are disappointed at not seeing the “real change” they expected after the federal election exactly a year ago.
“This will mean lots of conversations … in the coming period,” he said.
“I’m going to take the time that is necessary.”
The announcement makes Julian the first person to overtly plan for a campaign.
Only one candidate, Toronto MPP Cheri DiNovo, announced early in the race, but she backed out due to health reasons.
While other members of caucus, including Guy Caron, MP for the Quebec riding of Rimouski-Neigette — Témiscouata — Les Basques, have indicated they’re thinking about a bid, and others, including Niki Ashton (Churchill — Keewatinook Aski), are expected to run, nobody has yet officially announced, more than three months since the race officially began.
Current leader Tom Mulcair will step down when a new head is chosen in fall 2017. The leadership race was triggered when he failed to secure majority support from his caucus during the party’s annual convention in April.
Mulcair said he’s happy to see “high-quality” candidates stepping up to the plate, including Julian and others who will present themselves.
“I know that it’s going to be an exciting race,” he said, adding he’s determined to hand over the party in the best shape possible and will stay neutral about possible candidates.
Meanwhile, Mulcair announced Tuesday that Murray Rankin will serve as the NDP’s new House leader.
Rankin, who’s not considering a leadership bid himself, said he wants to hold the government to account in the House and called Julian’s tenure “a hard act to follow.”