Sikh Jagmeet Singh voted leader of Canada’s New Democratic Party, issues challenge to Trudeau
Singh became a social media star for his handling of a heckler who accused him of wanting to impose Muslim sharia law
Jagmeet Singh, an Ontario provincial lawmaker and practising Sikh, was elected on Sunday as leader of Canada’s left-leaning New Democrats, becoming the first non-white politician to head a major Canadian political party.
The 38-year-old lawyer, whose penchant for colourful turbans and tailor-made three-piece suits made him a social media star, was elected on the first ballot to lead the New Democratic Party into the 2019 federal election against Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s Liberals.
“Thank you, New Democrats. The run for Prime Minister begins now,” Singh tweeted.
Singh secured 54 per cent of the vote, defeating three rivals to become the new head of the NDP, succeeding Thomas Mulcair. The results of the vote, conducted online and by mail, were announced at a party meeting in Toronto.
The Toronto-area politician, who led in fundraising since joining the race last May, had been touted by supporters as someone who could bring new life to the party, which has struggled since the death of charismatic former leader Jack Layton in 2011.
