‘An exciting time': Interim NDP leader says review a chance to strengthen party
This interview has been edited for clarity and length
Michael Higgins: We saw you at the Calgary Stampede. What did the experience open your eyes to from a political standpoint?
Don Davies: I'm an Edmonton boy and I was a Klondike Days person, so that was my first visit ever to the Calgary Stampede. It was a fabulous event. The spirit in that town, the ability to connect with people, meet them where they're at in a very fun environment, was great. It was an exciting time to be in Calgary and a good chance to learn about what people are thinking and saying in Alberta.
MH: I have to think a lot of the conversation revolved around the federal election, the reduction of your caucus to seven MPs and loss of official party status. There's a lot to reflect on in the wake of the election. What's your approach to finding answers, and finding a way forward?
DD: There's no question it was a tough election for the federal NDP. There's no sugar coating it, but there's a lot of great opportunity in front of us. There's a real chance for us to connect with Canadians from coast to coast to coast, and reimagine what a progressive federal option looks like for Canadians.
That entails looking backwards and figuring out what caused us to get to the point we're at, but more importantly, it allows us to enter into a discussion about what ideas we have for the path forward. In that, I'm really looking forward to engaging with people across the country and building a really strong NDP.
One thing I heard during the election is Canadians don't want a U.S.-style two-party system. One of the strengths of our democracy is we have a multiplicity of parties, a diversity of views. I think that makes our governance stronger. People want a strong NDP and we look forward to engaging with people to help determine what that looks like.
MH: Jagmeet Singh announced his resignation on election night. You're filling the gap in the interim. So where does that leave the timeline for finding a new leader?
DD: Our federal council is meeting right now. They started meetings a few weeks ago, and they're engaging in the process now. They will set the rules for the new leadership race. I anticipate it will start sometime in the fall, and I know there's already several candidates who are starting to organize.
It's going to be an exciting time for the NDP to do that rebuilding process and see where we want to take our party in the 21st Century.
MH: You touched on your Edmonton roots a moment ago. What do you make of grassroots support pushing Edmonton MP Heather McPherson to make a run for leadership?
DD: I was with Heather at Stampede and I've worked with her for a number of years now. She's an excellent parliamentarian. She's a great representative and champion of Alberta and our country, and if she does decide to run, I think she's going to be an excellent candidate.
MH: Given your role in fronting the party the past several weeks, what do you feel will be needed most in your next leader, if your party is to recover beyond the blow of the last election?
DD: We've just started a review and renewal process. I don't really want to prejudge all of the ideas and thoughts that are going to come from our membership, from progressive allies, from stakeholders, but I think one thing that I've identified that I think is clear to everybody, is that we want to strengthen our relationship with working people in this country.
That means meeting working people where they're at, listening to them. For instance, at Stampede, I got a got a real chance to do that and talk to a lot of different people from a lot of different occupations and professions in Alberta and hear how their lives are, and understand what their aspirations are, and what their thoughts are.
I think that that's critical for the NDP moving forward, that we reconnect with our roots. We're a party that began in 1961, started by working people, for working people. I think returning to that fundamental route is really important for the path forward.
MH: Pierre Poilievre, the federal Conservative leader, is pursuing a return to Parliament through our province. How much effort will your party put into the fight for Battle River- Crowfoot?
DD: We have an excellent candidate nominated; Katherine Swampy. She's an Indigenous leader, she's a community activist and she's up and running already. Every election, whether it's a byelection or general election, is a chance for Canadians to have their say. I think it's really important that they always have a choice.
We're a proud, long-standing democracy and people get to choose who governs them. It's a chance to have a debate about different policies and pass forward.
I very much respect Mr. Poilievre, and I know the kinds of policies he's going to champion. We're going to be bringing forth some different ideas for the people of Battle River-Crowfoot, and we look forward to a rigorous campaign.
MH: Where do things stand with your counterparts here in Alberta, the Alberta NDP? What does the conversation with Naheed Nenshi look like on the contentious issue of the Alberta NDP severing its ties with your party?
DD: I had a chance to meet with Mr. Nenshi, and I had a chance to meet with a lot of NDP MLAs when I was in Calgary, and I can tell you I think it's very healthy to have a discussion about the relationship between the provincial and the federal sections.
I understand that they resolved that at their convention. What I think is really important is that we share the same general goals. We want to build a strong Canada, we want to build strong, family-sustaining jobs, we want a good health-care system, we want to have a united, strong response to the threats coming from south of the border.
Mr. Nenshi, and my colleagues in the Alberta NDP, share those. We're looking forward to working together to build a stronger Alberta in a stronger Canada, and one that works better for all Canadians.
The NDP is about fairness. We're a wealthy country. We have a lot to be proud of, and we want to make sure that all Canadians have a chance to share in that.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
CBC
2 hours ago
- CBC
Canadian targeted by Hong Kong arrest warrant decries Beijing's 'tyranny'
The Canadian government is condemning new arrest warrants issued by Hong Kong for activists based overseas, including in Canada. Canadian Victor Ho, who is among those named in the warrants, sees it as the latest example of 'transnational repression by the Communist government in China,' and says he's not afraid to be targeted.
CTV News
4 hours ago
- CTV News
Anand counting on Israel to allow Ottawa's trucks of humanitarian aid into Gaza
Minister of Foreign Affairs Anita Anand speaks to reporters in The Hague, Netherlands on Tuesday, June 24, 2025. OTTAWA — Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand says Ottawa has trucks of aid ready to reach desperate Palestinians in Gaza, and is counting on Israel to allow them through. Anand says Jordan, which borders Israel and the West Bank, has allowed Canada to pre-position aid, until Israel allows it to enter the Gaza Strip. She says she spoke with her Israeli counterpart Friday 'to seek assurances that trucks carrying Canadian aid would be allowed to enter Gaza.' Please see my statement on the announcement of temporary humanitarian corridors in Gaza: — Anita Anand (@AnitaAnandMP) July 27, 2025 Since then, Israel has said it would allow for some humanitarian corridors to be established, so that United Nations groups can deliver aid, as well as possible airdrops. The decision came after months of experts warning that Israel's tight restrictions on aid risk creating a famine, and after hundreds of Palestinians have been killed while trying to seek food at sites established by Israel. Israel has downplayed reports by numerous humanitarian groups operating on the ground of starvation deaths, and claims the UN has failed to distribute aid, though UN agencies say Israel still isn't allowing in enough food and fuel. This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 27, 2025. Dylan Robertson, The Canadian Press
CBC
5 hours ago
- CBC
True sovereignty
Amidst all the buzz about the future of the Canadian Arctic, some Nunavummiut believe there's one voice missing — the young generation of Inuit who call this land home. Your browser does not support the video tag. Pause By Samuel Wat Jul. 27, 2025 Gazing at the land and water surrounding Apex Beach, Iqaluit's Manu Kunuk reflects on how his home in the Arctic has become a focal point for geopolitical tensions. There's a lot of uncertainty around the world right now, but if there's one thing he's sure about, that's the need for Inuit — and especially youth — to be at the heart of Arctic policy. 'We're the future of the land — we're going to be the next leaders,' he said. Like many Nunavummiut, Kunuk is still trying to learn about the true meaning of Arctic sovereignty, but he believes it starts with protecting the land and the people living on it. From a colonial perspective, sovereignty in Canada's North is often tied to military exercises, major infrastructure projects and defence spending — actions the government takes to show its control of the vast region. Less commonly explored is how Nunavut's communities and the people who live there are already at the heart of Arctic sovereignty. Nolan Qamanirq, from Arctic Bay, doesn't believe there is a word in Inuktitut that truly describes sovereignty, and it's hard to talk about land ownership because his ancestors didn't believe in that. 'The way the term is used today, especially in Ottawa and in places in Iqaluit, it really feels hollow. It's about military presence, mining approvals, transportation corridors. It's really not about what Inuit and communities prioritize,' he said. images expandAlassua Hanson set out on a Students on Ice expedition in the Arctic in 2016. This is one of several avenues she believes helps empower youth to become future leaders. The way the Canadian government is currently trying to reaffirm its borders in the Arctic makes Iqaluit's Alassua Hanson think back to the country's colonial history. 'I find the federal government does control Arctic sovereignty, in a way, because they did try to claim Nunavut before with the missionaries. And Inuit in general were trying to stay on their own land,' she said. These days, Hanson sees an increasing number of meetings, forums and summits about Arctic sovereignty. She believes some of those discussions should also happen inside the classroom and in youth groups. 'I think a lot of youth should be present or should be knowledgeable about ongoing things for Arctic sovereignty. And I don't think a lot of it is taught in school at all,' she said. Giving back to the community Three of Canada's main parties made military announcements in Iqaluit as part of their election campaign blitz earlier this year, but not all of those pledges involved consultation with local leaders. Nunavut's Premier, P.J. Akeeagok said he only learned about the Conservatives' Arctic announcement the day of, and he stressed the importance of consultations. Part of the Liberal government's own announcement in March was to establish three new military hubs in the North, with Iqaluit set to be home to one of them. At the time, the Department of National Defence said the hubs will consist of airstrips, logistics facilities and equipment and are intended to support military aircraft operations and also serve as storage for equipment and spare parts. 'Sovereignty isn't proven by planting a flag or opening a port. It's proven by a community's ability to feed itself, govern itself, and pass on knowledge without interference.' Nolan Qamanirq To many Canadian leaders, Iqaluit is a strategic location for missions in the Arctic. It has a functional airport and seaport that can accommodate both the navy and air force, for example, and it is also home to one of Canada's forward operating locations, which supports temporary missions. Yet Kunuk says he often struggles to find information about Arctic sovereignty and updates to what's happening in the territory. If the Canadian government is serious about sovereignty initiatives, he would like to see more information publicly shared about security developments. 'Hopefully community consultations, maybe even more training [if there is] supposed to be a military base here,' he said. Bringing Inuit into the conversation Despite all the talk, Hanson doesn't see much of a military presence in Nunavut. And when there is, she said she often doesn't see Inuit involved. She said she knows very little about what happens up in Alert, Nunavut, for example — the location of Canada's northernmost military outpost. She knows of a few people who head up there occasionally for work, but very few of them are Inuit. When there are members of the military in town, or people visiting for some Arctic security conference, she hasn't seen those visitors engaging much with the community. 'They could be more involved. They could provide food hampers, they could do a workshop on the meeting and what they're doing here. They could be present in the community rather than holding five day long meetings or get an opportunity to hear from the locals,' she said. She adds that youth should get the opportunity to hear about the results of the work these travellers are doing in the community. Creating global citizens Empowering Canada's future leaders has been a lifelong passion for Geoff Green. He founded Students on Ice (SOI) 25 years ago, which organizes educational expeditions — combining science and traditional knowledge — for youth to learn more about the Arctic. Talking about military spending and nation-building infrastructure projects is all well and good, he said, but he wonders where the investment is for youth. 'You're building a house of cards if you're not also investing in youth … they're going to be the ones we need for an upskilled workforce, and the leadership that's needed,' he said. In his view, a big part of youth empowerment comes from investments in education, plus programs to connect with the land and other youth around the world. He said there are more opportunities for youth nowadays compared to when he first founded SOI, but it's imperative that Canada builds on that. 'So engaging with youth from other parts of the world, seeing their worldviews, their knowledge bases, and having those friendships and relationships formed [early] are critical. We need global youth addressing global issues together,' he said. 'It's an investment in experiential education, which is truly one of the most proven and most powerful forms of education.' Kunuk echoes that sentiment, having been a delegate to international forums in the past, including to the Arctic Circle Assembly in Iceland last year. 'It really opens the doors for me, especially being here in Nunavut, in an isolated community and territory,' he said. images expandFor Manu Kunuk, Arctic sovereignty means ensuring the people living in the region are healthy and well. No flag or port can replace true sovereignty Ultimately, Qamanirq believes Arctic sovereignty can only exist if Canada recognizes the true priorities of northern communities. 'Sovereignty isn't proven by planting a flag or opening a port," he said. 'It's proven by a community's ability to feed itself, govern itself, and pass on knowledge without interference.' 'I don't think we need more youth leadership programs that teach us how to behave like bureaucrats. We need more programs that teach us our rights in our language, that explain what was negotiated in the land claims and what was left out," he added. Qamanirq also calls on Canada to be more open to partnerships with other countries in the circumpolar world, who share similar interests and challenges. 'If there was a serious attitude about sovereignty in the Arctic, [Canada] would let Inuit strengthen ties across the Arctic without forcing national policy filters. These connections are older than the borders and we shouldn't have to ask permission to remember them.' About the Author Footer Links My Account Profile CBC Gem Newsletters Connect with CBC Facebook Twitter YouTube Instagram Mobile RSS Podcasts Contact CBC Submit Feedback Help Centre Audience Relations, CBC P.O. Box 500 Station A Toronto, ON Canada, M5W 1E6 Toll-free (Canada only): 1-866-306-4636 TTY/Teletype writer: 1-866-220-6045 About CBC Corporate Info Sitemap Reuse & Permission Terms of Use Privacy Jobs Our Unions Independent Producers Political Ads Registry AdChoices Services Ombudsman Public Appearances Commercial Services CBC Shop Doing Business with Us Renting Facilities Accessibility It is a priority for CBC to create a website that is accessible to all Canadians including people with visual, hearing, motor and cognitive challenges. Closed Captioning and Described Video is available for many CBC shows offered on CBC Gem. About CBC Accessibility Accessibility Feedback © 2025 CBC/Radio-Canada. All rights reserved. Visitez
