Jagmeet Singh leads NDP facing challenges in 2025 election

Jagmeet Singh is the leader of the New Democratic Party (NDP) in Canada. He is notable for being the first ethnic minority politician to lead a major federal party in the country. As he prepares for the 2025 election, Singh faces significant challenges. Recent polls show that support for his party is at some of its lowest levels in recent years. The upcoming federal election will be held on April 28. Prime Minister Mark Carney called the election shortly after taking office. In his campaign launch, Singh criticized both Carney and U.S. President Donald Trump. He emphasized that only the NDP could be trusted to represent the interests of ordinary Canadians. Singh, a practising Sikh, is a former lawyer and provincial legislator from Ontario. He became NDP leader in 2017, despite his limited experience in federal politics. His party has worked with Trudeau's Liberal government on several issues, including healthcare initiatives. However, the relationship soured last September when Singh accused Trudeau of giving in to corporate interests. Singh is also known for his confrontational style, having recently addressed hecklers directly. He has faced some harsh comments but often responds calmly and with poise. He was born in Scarborough, Ontario, to Indian immigrants. Singh has spoken about his difficult childhood, including experiences of abuse. He later earned degrees in biology and law before moving into politics. In 2019, he won a seat in Parliament. Singh’s campaign promises focus on issues like student loan forgiveness and climate change. He has gained popularity on social media platforms like TikTok. Known for his stylish appearance, Singh stands out in the political scene. He is married to fashion designer Gurkiran Kaur Sidhu, and they have two children together.