The Ontario NDP is heading towards a confirmation vote for MPP Marit Stiles to become the next leader. .“Marit Stiles will work tirelessly to end the era of Conservative cuts and privatization by running to form a government that puts working people at the heart of everything we do,” said Ontario NDP President Janelle Brady in a Tuesday press release. .“Together with Marit, we will work to build a party and a 2026 election campaign with space for working people and labour, progressives, racialized and equity-deserving Ontarians, and young people.”.The Ontario NDP caucus suggested MPP Peter Tabuns serve as interim party leader in June, which made him the temporary official opposition leader..READ MORE: Ontario NDP caucus recommends Peter Tabuns as interim leader.The NDP aimed to have a short campaign period for the leadership. It wanted to have the leadership convention in four to six months. .Former Ontario NDP leader Andrea Horwath served in the role from 2009 to 2022. Horwath announced she would resign from her position in June after the Ontario Progressive Conservatives won the last provincial election. .Brady said Stiles can “give people hope and unite the province to defeat Doug Ford — to make life affordable and rebuild and improve healthcare and education.”.Canada has a long tradition of unopposed leadership candidates going on to become premier the following election. These include former premiers Dave Barrett, Mike Harcourt, Roy Romanow, Brad Wall, Danny Williams, and John Horgan..The release said Stiles was the one candidate meeting all of the requirements for the NDP leadership race. It said among the requirements she met was gathering 100 nominating signatures from four of six geographic regions in the province, 50% from women, and 25% from marginalized communities such as non-white people and those with disabilities. .Per the Ontario NDP constitution, the confirmation vote will be a simple majority, conducted in a one-member-one-vote system weighted to 75% and those from affiliate organizations valued at 25%. .Brady said the party is “stronger than ever.”.“With Marit as our new leader, we will be able to expand our reach,” she said.
