With finish line in sight, NDP leadership candidates try to win over voters

The fivesome candidates vying for the NDP's leaders into the next election gave unity net invoke to members before the party chooses its next leader.

Each candidate was given time at the party's convention in Winnipeg on Saturday to sway any voters who are still undecided.

The contenders are: MP Heather McPherson, activist and filmmaker Avi Lewis, union leader Rob Ashton, farmer Tony McQuail and social worker and municipal councillor Tanille Johnston.

Lewis, largely considered to be the front-runner, was already looking past the leadership nomination when he opened his speech. 

"We're so close to the finish line and the start of a much bigger race — to bring our party back from the wilderness and into the heart of Canadian political life once again," he said.

"Canadians don't want a two-party system. But we in the NDP need a political offer that cannot be confused with or co-opted by either the Liberals or Conservatives."

Could Avi Lewis divide or unite the NDP?

Lewis touched on some of his key platform promises, including pushing for the expansion of renewable energy sources while moving away from the "boom and bust rollercoaster of oil and gas."

The activist and filmmaker also touted his commitment to creating public options for home construction, telecoms and groceries — saying the party needs to focus on the cost of living.

"We are the only party that criticizes capitalism, so we're the only party that can tell the Canadians the truth about why everything is so expensive," he said.

McPherson, considered Lewis's main rival in the race, touted the policies the NDP have pushed for in the past — like health care and pensions — and accused Conservatives of trying to strip away at those programs.

"So many of the things that make this country great, New Democrats built — that's why it's on us to defend them," she said.

McPherson promised to push for a "head-to-toe" health care, calling for expansion of pharmacare, mental health care and dental care. 

As the only MP in the race, McPherson has argued that she is the only one ready to hold Prime Minister Mark Carney to account in the House on "Day 1." Her campaign played a video before her remarks that featured clips of her questioning the government in the House chamber.

Only MP running for NDP leadership says she would 'get to work on day one'

The MP also touted the successes of the provincial wings of the party, invoking the B.C. And Manitoba governments and a number of Official Opposition parties in other provinces.

"Across the country our values are winning, and we can choose to ignore or even oppose that success or we can build from it together," she said.

McPherson's remarks appeared to be aimed at contrasting herself from Lewis, who critics have said could create a rift with provincial wings of the party.

Lewis championed the Leap Manifesto at the party's 2016 convention, which clashed with then NDP Alberta premier Rachel Notley.

Notley herself introduced McPherson, a fellow Albertan, at the convention on Saturday.

"Heather understands we can only grow through addition, not division — and we can only win for the people who are counting on us when we build and we win together," the former premier said.

Ashton opened his slot in a question-and-answer format with three party members joining him on stage before giving an address to the crowd.

The national president of the International Longshore and Warehouse Union has focused his campaign on winning back union and blue-collar voters who have turned to the Conservatives.

But during the questions portion of his remarks, Ashton said the labour part of the party needs the environmental and social movements in the NDP.

"The beauty of the NDP is we are a vast array of society. We got workers, we got environmentalists, we got people that want to fight for social justice causes around the world," he said.

"We're still working today because we can have open and hard conversations with each other."

B.C. Labour leader Rob Ashton joins NDP race to 'focus on workers' | Power & Politics

The union leader focused his direct remarks to the crowd on his pro-labour message.

"This party was built by the working class for the working class — and that's not just our history it has to be our future," he said during his fiery remarks.

"Let's rebuild [this party] together, bring it back to the people, back to the communities we're meant to serve, back to being a movement of the people who keep this country running every day. If you're ready to meet the moment, if you're ready to take the challenge head on, if you're ready to move forward, then join me and let's get to work!"

Johnston, member of the We Wai Kai First Nation, is the first Indigenous person to run for the leadership of a major federal party.

"I am so incredibly grateful that that piece of political history now lives with the NDP," she said to open her remarks.

Johnston framed herself as an underdog and shot back at those she said have written off her campaign and the NDP in general after the party's dismal showing in the last election.

 "They underestimated exactly who we are and the strength of the grassroots. I love being able to say, 'Hey! Still here!'" she said.

NDP leadership hopeful Tanille Johnston talks child care and affordability ahead of final debate

Johnston said her vision for the party is one that has an "unapologetic dedication to our own path on the left."

She rhymed off a number of her platform planks, including a guaranteed basic income, a wealth tax, investment in public housing, a four-day work week and free post-secondary education.

"[The] old establishment wants you to believe that things can't change … they use fear and power to make us settle for the status quo," she said.

"We now have a chance to write a brand new chapter for our New Democratic Party, a new era — an era where we lead with courage, integrity and moral clarity."

McQuail kicked off his speech with a stark anti-war message, tacitly criticizing the Liberal government's increased military spending.

"Military spending creates scarcity in the face of abundance. It means not investing in health care, education, housing, transportation," he said.

"Earth's greatest enemy is war."

Tony McQuail runs through his platform ahead of the final NDP leadership debate

The farmer also focused much of his message on climate change, arguing that the NDP is the only party that can protect the environment by invoking one of the party's past leaders.

"Ed Broadbent and the NDP were the only party addressing the root cause of the problem and calling for investment in conservation, efficiency and renewable energy," he said.

"If our electoral system had been proportional in 1980, the NDP led by Ed Broadbent would have held the balance of power and I believe we could have begun the transition to a greener and progressive society." 

McQuail ended his remarks by encouraging the candidates to unite regardless of who comes out of the convention with the top job.

"To all the teams, if you do not win tomorrow, grieve that loss, shed some tears and then think about how we can come together to bring all that talent and energy into a bigger, broader team," he said.

"My friends, it's not too late to build a better world — but we need bold, brave and beautiful alternatives to a world being burned and blown apart by greed … its time for a green progressive movement."

Whoever takes over for former leader Jagmeet Singh will be tasked with pulling the party back from a historically devastating election result which saw only a handful of MPs elected.

Voting officially began a few weeks ago with members able to vote online or by mail, but Saturday is the final day to cast a ballot. The new leader will be announced Sunday morning.

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