NDP ranks swell ahead of leader vote
OTTAWA — The number of NDP members has increased by about 50 per cent in the past few months, as interest rises in the party’s leadership vote.
In all, there are 128,351 members voting next month for the party’s new leader, up from 83,824 in October.
The numbers are staggering in Quebec, which went from 1,600 members to more than 12,000 by February, surpassing all but B.C. and Ontario.
The support from Quebec could be a sign that leadership candidate Thomas Mulcair — who is a Quebecer — could have an edge heading into the vote.
David Mcgrane, a University of Saskatchewan expert on the NDP, said the numbers in Quebec represent just 10 per cent of the voting membership.
With B.C. and Ontario leading the way with 38,735 and 36,750 members, respectively, Quebec may not even be the battleground that will determine the next leader, he said.
“It appears the race will not be won in Quebec,” he said. “This thing appears to be coming down to the wire.”
The NDP has taken the numbers as welcome news, calling the figures “historic.”
“Canadians are really engaged in our leadership race, as these historic numbers show,” said New Democrat national director Chantal Vallerandt.
“Canadians are turning to New Democrats in record numbers.”
Mcgrane said the numbers show the leadership race isn’t in the least routine for the average member.
“This is the first time they’ve ever had to choose a prime minister in waiting. That’s exciting,” Mcgrane said.
As well as Mulcair, seven candidates are vying to replace the late Jack Layton as leader. They include fellow MPS Paul Dewar, Peggy Nash, Nathan Cullen and former party organizer Brian Topp.