OTTAWA — The federal New Democratic Party (NDP) has announced the rules for its upcoming leadership race. Prospective candidates must raise $100,000 and gather 500 signatures from party members, with specific requirements regarding gender identity. The leadership contest is now officially underway, and candidates are expected to announce their intentions soon. The new leader will be revealed during the party's national convention in Winnipeg on March 29, 2026.

Edmonton MP Heather McPherson, along with activists Avi Lewis and Yves Engler, are anticipated to enter the race, although more candidates may emerge. The NDP stated there is “strong interest” in the leadership position, following the release of application packages on August 20. Party president Mary Shortall expressed enthusiasm, saying, “This leadership race is an exciting opportunity for our members and for people across the country who share progressive values.” She emphasized the importance of the race in fostering discussions about the party's future.

To qualify, candidates must collect at least 500 signatures from NDP members, including a minimum of 50 from each of five regions: Atlantic, Quebec, Ontario, the Prairies, and British Columbia and the territories. Notably, at least 50% of the signatures must come from members who do not identify as cisgender men. Additionally, candidates must secure at least 100 signatures from “equity-seeking groups,” which include racialized individuals, Indigenous members, LGBTQ+ community members, and people with disabilities. The party has not clarified how it will verify the identities of members in these categories.

Candidates are also required to gather at least 10% of their signatures from young New Democrats. The entry fee for the leadership race is set at $100,000, payable in four installments of $25,000. The first payment is due upon submission of nomination signatures, with the final payment due by January 28, 2026. A non-refundable vetting fee of $1,500 is also required.

The NDP encourages candidates to sign up new members online, limiting the distribution of paper membership forms to 50 at a time. The party noted that while paper memberships can help address access issues, they are also prone to misuse and can slow down the membership process.

Leadership debates are expected to take place in November 2025 and February 2026, with the exact dates yet to be determined. If only one debate occurs, it will be conducted in both English and French. Members will vote for the new leader using a preferential ballot system, requiring a simple majority to win. If no candidate achieves a majority on the first count, the candidate with the fewest votes will be eliminated, and the process will continue until a majority is reached.

The new leader will face the challenge of revitalizing the party after its historically poor election performance. In a recent podcast, NDP interim leader Don Davies acknowledged the party's struggles, stating it had its “worst result” ever. He suggested that the NDP should refocus on issues affecting working people rather than concentrating too heavily on identity politics. “Are we talking about the right issues that are affecting kitchen tables in Oshawa or Trois-Rivières or Kamloops?” he asked. Davies also recognized the need to balance the diverse interests of party members, stating that the experiences of different groups must be acknowledged.