Multicultural icon Singh breaks out in Canadian election
MONTREAL: “Hello, I am Jagmeet.” A few days before Canada’s general election, with a warm handshake or a touch of humour, the first non-white leader of a national political party is looking to consolidate his position as likely kingmaker.
A leftist former criminal defence lawyer, Jagmeet Singh was elected in 2017 to lead the New Democratic Party (NDP), and is backed by voters disenchanted with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Conservative Andrew Scheer, the frontrunners for the Oct 21 ballot.
Born in Ontario to Indian immigrant parents, the 40-yearold observant Sikh who recently married fashion designer Gurkiran Kaur, speaks English and French, but also Punjabi.
On the campaign trail his orange, yellow, pink, purple and baby blue turbans have become a sensation.
The NDP’s support has climbed as high as 20 per cent, according to the latest polls, placing it third behind the Liberals and Conservatives, which each enjoy 30 to 33 per cent backing.
The party is promising free dental care and prescription drugs for all, to be financed by raising taxes on ‘multimillionaires and billionaires.’
In recent weeks, Singh has had harsh words for Trudeau, accusing him of signaling a ‘turn to the left’ during the campaign and then ‘turning right’ when it comes to decision-making.
“Progressive voting is us,” Singh said this week on the campaign trail on Montreal.
He accused Trudeau of protecting big business instead of helping families and called for support from Canadians who “want someone who will really fight climate change, cancel oil subsidies and deal with social inequities.”
Singh has vowed not to prop up Scheer if the Tories win on Monday.
Liberal and NDP policies are closely aligned, making them natural partners in any coalition, but the NDP has also revived abandoned Liberal promises such as election reform.
But not everyone is as keen to see Singh’s emergence on the national stage, and he has faced many derogatory, even racist remarks.
To reassure cynics, he regularly reiterates that although he wears a turban, he shares the same values as most Canadians. — AFP