Canada elections: Jagmeet Singh, once Trudeau's kingmaker, quits as NDP leader after rout
Fighting back tears on stage at his Burnaby, British Columbia headquarters, Singh conceded not only personal defeat in his own riding of Burnaby Central, where he was trailing in third place, but also a broader rout for the party he had once hoped to lead to power.
'Obviously I know tonight is a disappointing night for New Democrats,' Singh said in his concession speech. 'We had really good candidates that lost tonight. I know how hard you worked. I spent time with you. You're amazing. I am so sorry you are not going to be able to represent your communities.'
The 46-year-old Sikh leader confirmed that he would step down as soon as an interim head is appointed. 'It's been the honour of my life to represent the people of Burnaby Central,' he said. 'Tonight they chose a new member of Parliament and I wish them well.'
In a tweet later, Singh reiterated his commitment to optimism despite the loss. 'I know this night is disappointing for New Democrats. But we are only defeated when we believe those that tell us we can never dream of a better Canada,' he posted, invoking 'Chardi Kala', the Sikh concept of maintaining high spirits in adversity.
I am disappointed that we could not win more seats.
But I am not disappointed in our movement.
I am hopeful for our Party.
I KNOW that we will always choose hope over fear.
— Jagmeet Singh (@theJagmeetSingh) April 29, 2025
Just two years ago, Singh was the powerbroker in Canadian politics — the kingmaker propping up former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's minority government. But his decision to pull support from the Liberals in September 2024, amid a rising Conservative tide, failed to translate into electoral gains. Instead, it left the NDP exposed and adrift.
'They cannot be change, they cannot restore the hope, they cannot stop the Conservatives. But we can,' Singh had declared in a dramatic video message when ending the alliance. But that confidence was quickly overtaken by plunging poll numbers.
The New Democrats began the year polling at 19 per cent, but by the time the campaign launched in March, support had halved. Singh's early pledge to become Canada's next prime minister faded within weeks, as he publicly admitted that voters were turning elsewhere.
By Tuesday morning, the NDP was projected to hold just a handful of seats — far short of the 12 required to maintain official party status in the House of Commons.
In Ontario, the party was poised to be wiped out entirely, losing all five of its seats. In Manitoba, only one candidate was projected to retain the seat, while high-profile MPs trailed behind. Only three ridings showed signs of life, who were leading in their respective constituencies.
Singh first entered Parliament via a 2019 byelection in Burnaby South and was re-elected twice before the riding was redrawn as Burnaby Central.
New Democrats built this country.
We have built the best of Canada.
And we aren't going anywhere.
— Jagmeet Singh (@theJagmeetSingh) April 29, 2025
Despite the crushing loss, Singh closed his tweet with defiance and hope: 'New Democrats built this country. We have built the best of Canada. And we aren't going anywhere.'
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