I'm a new member of the NDP and I'm having some trouble deciding on my rankings for the leadership race... I definitely want to vote for Jagmeet Singh and Niki Ashton as my first and second choices but I'm not sure which order to rank them in to have the best chance of one of them winning. i was wondering if you might be able to share your thoughts on each candidate in terms of who would be the strongest candidate for prime minister and your opinion re my current dilemma? thanks!
If you want a candidate to win, they should be your first choice. Can’t say much more than that.
Why do I support Niki Ashton over Jagmeet Singh. Here’s why:
-She has pledged to change our electoral system from First Past the Post to a Mixed Member Proportional Representation system (this is not on Jagmeet Singh’s policy page):
Niki Ashton: Make Every Vote Count
-She has released a comprehensive platform on increasing accessability for people with disabilities:
Niki Ashton: A Vision for an Accessible and Inclusive Canada for Persons with Disabilities
-She has released a suite of policies in regards to harm reduction, which includes support for individuals with HIV, supporting safe consumption sites and standing up for sex worker’s human rights:
Niki Ashton: My Commitment to Harm Reduction
-She has released a comprehensive set of policies on LGBTQ rights which includes an end to the blood ban for gay men, and things like a focus on Transgender Health:
Niki Ashton: Justice for LGBTQ2+ Persons
-She has a dedicated platform on Indigenous Rights (something Jagmeet Singh does not have):
Niki Ashton: Justice for Indigenous Peoples
-She has released impressive policies on post secondary education, including free tuition, eliminating interest on Student Loans and not having to repay student debt until you’re making $50,000 or more (again missing from Jagmeet Singh’s policy page):
Niki Ashton: Eliminating Tuition Fees and Strengthening Public Post-Secondary Education
-She has released a strong suite of policies on Racial Justice, which includes repealing Bill C-51 and ending the practice of Carding for Federal Police forces:
Niki Ashton: Racial Justice: Dignity and Respect
-She has released strong policies around renewable energy and Climate Change:
Niki Ashton: Environmental Justice.
-She is the ONLY candidate to release a platform on Feminism and Gender Based violence (including towards the LGBTQ community):
Niki Ashton: Ending Gender Violence and Discrimination.
-She has released strong economic policies including more fair taxation, public ownership (reversing privatization) and fair job policies:
Niki Ashton: Economic Justice.
Niki Ashton: Fair Taxes for a Just Society.
-She has been vocally supportive of Palestinian Human Rights and for peace in the Middle East:
Niki Ashton: A Just Peace in the Middle East.
-She has stood up against Kinder Morgan’s Trans Mountain Pipeline and other oil pipelines from the start. Jagmeet Singh has to be pressured by Niki Ashton and Peter Julian to take a position:
Niki Ashton: Against Kinder Morgan.
-She is the only candidate promising to expand Canada’s healthcare system to completely cover the costs of prescription drugs and dental. She has also said she would expand mental health funding, accessibility and tackle the root causes of addiction:
Niki Ashton: Access to Universal Health Care.