NDP Leader Singh to host free public meeting on Wednesday in Burnaby

NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh will host a meet-and-greet of sorts in Burnaby on Wednesday.

According to a Facebook invitation shared online, Singh will speak on “how New Democrats are pushing the government for solutions people urgently need now.” Among the topics Singh will touch on are jobs, health care costs and affordable housing.

In recent days, Singh has stirred up chatter about whether he’ll put his name forward in the federal riding of Burnaby South in an upcoming byelection. The riding will be vacated by MP Kennedy Stewart, after Stewart announced he planned to take a run at becoming mayor of Vancouver in this fall’s municipal election.

Many have speculated about whether Singh will make this announcement at the event on Wednesday.

“I can tell you that a lot of people in Burnaby have been encouraging Mr. Singh to run in the upcoming byelection because they want a strong voice to represent them and their issues,” said NDP spokesman Guillaume Francoeur in an email on Monday.

“Jagmeet has said he is very moved by the support and will make a decision in the near future.”

Singh was elected leader of the NDP last October but does not hold a parliamentary seat. If Singh runs in Burnaby South, it would place him near the epicentre of the ongoing Kinder Morgan issue.

Doors for Wednesday’s free, public event open at 11:30 a.m., with speakers set to begin at 12:30 p.m.

The event is being hosted at 5784 Byrne Rd. in Burnaby.