Marit Stiles officially elected as new leader of the Ontario NDP

Feb 9, 2023 | Canadian News, News

The Ontario New Democrats (ONDP) announced and celebrated the official election of Marit Stiles as its new leader on Feb. 4 at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre in downtown Toronto.

Stiles ran uncontested in the race to become the new leader of the party, which remains the official opposition at Queen’s Park.

She will take over from interim party leader Peter Tabuns on March 23.

The voting period was shortened by a month because of the lack of opposition, but the ONDP said it was still important to hold a vote and practice the democratic process their party is built on.

Reverend Eric Hébert Daly, the chief electoral officer, said the vote should be faithfully represented.

“Democracy is key,” he said. “It’s in our name.”

During her speech, Stiles thanked both Tabuns and previous ONDP leader Andrea Horwath for their strong and committed leadership.

“We’re starting on a strong foundation,” she said. “We have Andrea Horwath to thank for that.”

The party holds 30 of the legislature’s 124 seats, with 23.7 per cent of the ballots cast, a drop from 40 seats following the provincial election last year.

Stiles also outlined in her speech legislation that she aims to focus on as leader of the ONDP. Among her top priorities she mentioned her intention to create real change for workers.

Marit Stiles and Sol Mamakwa celebrating Stiles' vistory
Marit Stiles and Sol Mamakwa celebrating Stiles’ vistory Photo credit: Scott Mclaughlin

“I want them to know that they deserve a government who’s not afraid to talk about labour issues, who’s not just going to put on a hard hat and safety vest when it’s election time and make a lot of promises,” she said.

Stiles also condemned the Ford government for its proposed development plans on the Ontario Greenbelt.

The sentiment was echoed by Jagmeet Singh, the leader of the federal NDP.

“The Greenbelt grows our food, cleans our water and protects our homes from flooding,” Singh said. “Doug Ford wants to let his millionaire friends run a bulldozer through it so his millionaire friends can become billionaires.”

Stiles and Singh were not the only speakers at the event to comment on Ford’s Greenbelt plan.

Sol Mamakwa, MPP for Kiietinoong and ONDP Deputy Leader, also spoke out against the Greenbelt plan.

“Our ways of life must be protected,” Mamakwa said. “We can do better, we must do better.”

The ceremony also hosted speakers from various labour groups.

Leaders from CUPE and other labour unions across Ontario were present at the inauguration and emphasized the need for the ONDP’s commitment to working toward the best interests of working people.

Kevon Stewart, a staff representative with United Steelworkers, also voiced his discontent with the Ford government’s treatment of workers across the province.

“The Ford government has clearly shown us that they do not care about the working class,” Stewart said.

Singh agreed that the Ford government’s policies had led to “greedflation.”

He enthusiastically introduced Stiles as the new leader of the ONDP.

“She’s a force for change,” Singh said.