Leading the way
Federal NDP leader advocates for proportional representation, high-speed internet and eliminating EI dual zones during P.E.I. visit
The head of the federal NDP says P.E.I. is a leader when it comes to fighting for electoral reform in Canada.
During his visit to P.E.I. Saturday, NDP leader Jagmeet Singh told supporters the “fight has already been won once” in reference to the 2016 plebiscite in which Islanders chose proportional representation.
Singh said he’s sure Islanders will win that fight again during an upcoming election referendum on the issue.
“P.E.I. will lead the country in terms of giving a voice and the power to the people. I salute you for that, that’s incredible,” said Singh, who hosted meet and greets at the NDP P.E.I. leadership convention and Timothy’s World Coffee.
“People across the country are looking to you and saying, ‘Wow, you’ve done it.’ This is the dream… and you’re leading the way on this.”
Singh also had some veiled criticism for Premier Wade MacLauchlan on the government’s handling of the plebiscite’s results.
“We won’t name who, (but) someone in power is a little too arrogant and thinks that he knows what’s right,” said Singh. “We’re going to tell him, he’s wrong. The people know what’s right.”
Singh pledged to fight for the elimination of dual zones for employment insurance, and also advocated for public infrastructure such as high-speed internet across the province.
“These are things that matter to Islanders, and to me,” said Singh, who also spoke of issues like having a basic guaranteed income, universal child care, eliminating tuition fees and closing tax loopholes.
The message resonated with supporters.
UPEI student Kari Kruse said she recently signed up as a NDP P.E.I. member to support Joe Byrne’s leadership bid.
However, Kruse left the convention also impressed by Singh.
“I really have some great hopes for him. He’s very downto-earth and he seems quite passionate about moving social justice issues forward more progressively than the Liberals,” said Kari, adding that she had voted for the Liberals during the last federal election but was disappointed when the government back-tracked on its campaign promise for electoral reform. “It’s really important to me because (proportional representation) is the way you can get a fair representation of what your constituents actually want.”
Long-time NDP member Virginia McGowan said she let her membership expire after becoming disillusioned with the federal party in the past few years.
She said she has since signed back up because of Singh and his increased focus on social justice.
“I like what I’m hearing, his message and the inclusiveness of his approach,” she said. “I’m really impressed.”
Singh’s final stop in an Atlantic tour was in St. John’s for the N.L. NDP leadership convention Sunday.
Having lived in St. John’s as a child, Singh said Atlantic Canada has a “special place” in his heart and described P.E.I. as a “hidden gem.”
“There’s just something special about the region to me,” said Singh.
“I want to make sure there’s a strong voice that’s representing the concerns of folks here and fighting hard for the concerns that people have.”