NDP leadership candidates, from left, Rob Ashton, Tanille Johnston, Avi Lewis, Heather McPherson and Tony McQuail after the NDP French language leadership debate in Montreal in November.Christopher Katsarov/The Canadian Press
New Democratic Party leadership candidates will have a chance to prove they are the one that can rebuild the federal party Thursday, as they take to the stage in a second 90-minute debate.
Rebuilding the party will be a key challenge facing the next leader, after the NDP was reduced to just seven seats and lost official status in the last election.
Hannah Thibedeau, a former journalist who is moderating the in-person debate in Vancouver, said the leadership candidates will discuss five topics chosen from a list of seven that party members voted on. They include: economic insecurity and national sovereignty; the future and role of the party; rebuilding the party; foreign affairs and humanitarian aid; energy and the environment; health care; and public services and fighting austerity.
Among other issues, “I think that what members and Canadians want to hear is: How are you going to rebuild that party, and what types of tools are you comfortable with using?” Ms. Thibedeau said, using the previous confidence-and-supply agreement with the Liberals as an example.
That deal involved the NDP supporting the Liberal minority government in confidence votes in exchange for progress on shared priorities, such as the creation of the Canadian Dental Care Plan.
Ms. Thibedeau said each candidate – Rob Ashton, Tanille Johnston, Avi Lewis, Heather McPherson and Tony McQuail – will have 45-second opening and closing statements. While the debate will primarily be in English, it will also have a French section.
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Every topic will include 45 seconds from each candidate, she said, along with time for follow-up questions and about eight minutes of open debate.
Ms. Thibedeau said there will also be a section where she will ask each candidate an individually tailored, more personal question.
Mr. Ashton, the International Longshore Workers Union Canada national president, said he has been undertaking debate prep sessions twice a day, nearly every day.
Some of the practice has centred on logistics, he said, including keeping to the 45-second limits, while other times he and his team focus on the content of the message.
Mr. Ashton has argued the party needs to return to its labour roots and he said he would bring a different leadership style to the party as someone who has come from rank-and-file “membership-driven” union.
He said he will point out differences between himself and the others, but will not attack them.
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Ms. McPherson, who has been an MP since 2019, said she plans to highlight her experience as an elected official during the debates. She is the only MP of the leadership candidates.
New Democrats have the same values, she said, including the need to protect the climate and fight for workers.
“We all believe in those things, but unless you’re able to win, unless you’re able to win a seat, unless you’re able to get elected, unless you’re able to grow our party, we can’t achieve those things,” she said.
Ms. McPherson said she and her team have been thinking through her messaging, including working within the 45-second limits. However, she said she is used to 35-second Question Period questions.
Mr. Lewis, who is an activist and filmmaker, said in a statement that he has been “hard at work” preparing for the debate. His message will be about the opportunity to rebuild the party by “advancing bold ideas as big as the crises we face” such as publicly run grocery stores, a Green New Deal to build the renewable energy economy, and a wealth tax.
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These ideas, he said, “amount to a clear offer that cannot be confused with other parties.”
Mr. McQuail, a farmer, said he prepared for the debate in part by working to ensure he can get his message across in 45 seconds and practising his French. He said in an interview he will speak about the need to protect and regenerate the environment, as well as create a more equitable society.
Ms. Johnston, a social worker, said her preparation has included touring Canada and speaking with members. Those conversations “are what shapes my debate answers,” she said in a statement.
While she will draw “real contrasts where we differ” she says she will do it respectfully and keep the focus on her vision.
The winner of the leadership contest will be announced on March 29 at the NDP’s convention in Winnipeg.