Caron mulling possible bid for NDP leadership
THERE’S ‘ENTHUSIASM’ FOR HIS VISION, MP SAYS
THE ECONOMY ITSELF NEVER REALLY PLAYED A LARGE PART IN OUR DEBATES. ... BEING ABLE TO HAVE AN ECONOMIC CANDIDACY, OR ECONOMIC PLATFORM, IS ACTUALLY INTRIGUING TO MANY PEOPLE I’VE SPOKEN TO. — GUY CARON, NDP MP WHAT I COULD OFFER SEEMS TO BE VERY DIFFERENT THAN WHAT’S BEEN OFFERED IN THE PAST.
Quebec MP Guy Caron is setting his sights on a possible leadership bid, and says there is “enthusiasm” around his economy-based vision for the party.
Caron told the National Post Tuesday he is “considering what type of team I would have, what type of fundraising I could actually amass, and trying to see what kind of support I could get either from caucus or from longtime NDP activists.”
He said he’s “quite pleased with the level of interest” and the “level of commitment” he’s getting from supporters. “I’m an economist, I love talking about issues. And I had a chance to sit down with people to actually give them a taste of the vision I would like to bring forth. And I can tell you there is enthusiasm around this.”
Over the past few months, party insiders have repeatedly named Caron as a potential contender for leadership. Although he is not as well-known as some of his colleagues, he is generally seen as smart and well-liked.
Caron has represented the Rimouski region in parliament since 2011. Before that, he was an economist for the Communications, Energy and Paperworkers Union of Canada, and worked as a campaigner for the Council of Canadians, which he said gave him exposure to issues facing all regions of Canada, including in urban and rural areas. He’s also a former journalist.
“What I could offer seems to be very different than what’s been offered in the past,” he said. “The economy itself never really played a large part in our debates. It’s usually about social programs, it’s usually about trying to fight against various problems in society such as racism, discrimination, poverty, income inequality. But being able to have an economic candidacy, or economic platform, is actually intriguing to many people I’ve spoken to.”
Caron said he sees opportunities for the NDP to make inroads with disenchanted Liberals and Conservatives.
While many people in central Canada found a home with the Reform Party and later the Conserva- tives, Caron noted New Democrats originally rose up out of the prairies. The NDP can bring them back, he said, especially if the Tories end up with a leader who causes a disconnect with their traditional base.
The NDP could also capitalize on the sense that many progressives are disappointed by the Trudeau government’s handling of a few major policies — pipelines and electoral reform, for example.
Caron said he expects to announce a decision in February. He has two young children — 5 and 8 — so prospective work-life balance will play a big role in the decision, he said.
Before making an announcement, he also wants to see his private member’s bill — an amendment to the Income Tax Act he says would help small business owners transfer holdings to their children — pass second reading, which is currently scheduled for Feb. 8.
Other candidates are expected to emerge in February ahead of a first leadership debate in Ottawa March 12.
Those considering running include Ontario MP Charlie Angus, Ontario deputy NDP leader Jagmeet Singh, Manitoba MP Niki Ashton and B.C. MP Peter Julian, the only person so far who has registered with Elections Canada.