Jagmeet Singh, once a rising star in Canadian politics, faced a major defeat in the latest federal election. The New Democratic Party (NDP) leader not only lost his seat in Burnaby Central but also stepped down as party chief. This dramatic exit came as Mark Carney’s Liberal Party surged to victory, fueled by a wave of nationalism sparked by tensions with the United States.
Singh, who had held his seat for two terms, received just 27% of the vote this time. He was beaten by Liberal candidate Wade Chang, who took a strong lead with 40%. It was a clear sign that Singh's popularity had dropped sharply. Voters appeared to turn away from the NDP, which now holds fewer than 12 seats and will lose its national party status in Parliament.
Jagmeet Singh has often been in the spotlight for his support of the Khalistan movement, a controversial push for an independent Sikh homeland. His outspoken stance put him at odds with India and drew criticism at home. Singh had also been seen at several pro-Khalistan rallies over the years.
Even last year, when he pulled NDP support from then-Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, he still backed Trudeau's aggressive diplomatic approach against India. But this time, Singh’s message didn’t seem to connect with voters. Many shifted their support to the Liberals, especially as the campaign focused on protecting Canada’s sovereignty from growing threats across the border.
Prime Minister Mark Carney’s win was a comeback story. Just months ago, the Liberals trailed badly in the polls. But after US President Donald Trump made headlines by threatening to annex Canada and ramping up trade tensions, Canadian voters rallied behind Carney. His promise to stand up to Trump and protect Canada’s economy hit the right note.
Some voters, like Duncan Garrow in Toronto, were torn between the Liberals and the NDP. “I voted NDP, but I’d be perfectly happy if the Liberals won,” he said. In the end, that’s exactly what happened.
The Liberals are now set to form the next government, though it’s not yet clear if they will have a majority in Parliament.
