The New Democratic Party (NDP) will not regain official party status in the House of Commons after a devastating election result that saw the party reduced to just seven seats, falling well short of the 12-seat threshold required under parliamentary rules.
Government House Leader Steven MacKinnon confirmed the decision on Monday, stating, “The law requires 12 members.”
Interim NDP Leader Don Davies expressed disappointment but said discussions are ongoing with the Prime Minister’s Office and the Board of Internal Economy to secure limited parliamentary privileges and resources for the diminished caucus.
“We’ve already made some progress,” Davies told reporters. “These ‘little privileges’ are wins for a national party that earned the votes of 1.2 million Canadians.”
Without official party status, the NDP loses its ability to pose daily questions in Question Period, guaranteed representation on standing committees, and access to essential funding granted to recognised parties. Davies emphasised the importance of ensuring the NDP can still function effectively in Parliament, even in reduced form.
The party has previously lost official status in 1993 but bounced back by the 1997 election. This year’s result, however, was the worst in NDP history, marking a stunning reversal of fortunes.
A major factor in the party’s downfall was the resignation of long-time leader Jagmeet Singh, who failed to retain his Burnaby Central seat. Singh came in third in the newly redistributed riding, ending his federal political career after leading the party since 2017.
Speaking to supporters on election night, a tearful Singh said, “We may lose sometimes, and those losses hurt… but we are only defeated if we stop fighting.” He thanked his family, supporters, and campaigners, while expressing pride in the party’s achievements such as dental care and pharmacare.
During the campaign, Singh had defended his decision not to trigger an election earlier, warning against a potential Conservative majority under Pierre Poilievre. But once the campaign began, the Liberals regained ground under new leader Mark Carney, whose focus on the economy and sovereignty concerns related to U.S. President Donald Trump resonated with voters.
While Prime Minister Carney has ruled out a formal governing arrangement with the NDP like the one struck by his predecessor Justin Trudeau in 2022, Davies said the Liberals will need to collaborate with other parties in a minority parliament.
The NDP has yet to announce its leadership race plans, and Singh’s resignation speech marked the end of a significant chapter for the party. A former Ontario MPP and lawyer, Singh made history as the first person of a visible minority to lead a major federal party in Canada. His departure leaves the party searching for both a new leader and a renewed identity.
In the meantime, Davies said the NDP will continue to advocate for working Canadians on key issues such as affordability, housing, and health care. But without official party status, their fight just got harder.
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