OTTAWA — Prospective federal NDP leadership candidates will have to raise $100,000 and amass 500 signatures from members — most of which cannot come from cisgender men — to be officially in the running, according to rules that were released on Tuesday. Article content

With the NDP leadership race now underway, candidates who are hoping to succeed Jagmeet Singh should be making themselves known in short order. The winner will be announced in Winnipeg as part of the party’s national convention on March 29, 2026.

For the moment, Edmonton MP Heather McPherson as well as left-wing activists Avi Lewis and Yves Engler are expected to throw their hats in the ring, but others could follow.

In a press release, the NDP said there was “strong interest” in the contest after application packages for prospective candidates were released on August 20, reflecting “members’ enthusiasm for a dynamic and engaging race that will shape the future of the NDP.” Article content

“This leadership race is an exciting opportunity for our members and for people across the country who share progressive values,” said party president Mary Shortall.

“It will spark important conversations about the kind of future we want to build together, rooted in fairness, justice, and hope. I know our members are eager to take part in a contest that is democratic, inclusive, and inspiring for the entire movement,” she added.

Prospective candidates will need to collect at least 500 signatures from party members, including a minimum of 50 from each of five regions — the Atlantic, Quebec, Ontario, the Prairies as well as British Columbia and the territories.

Rules indicate that at least 50 per cent of the total required signatures must be from NDP members who do not identify as a cisgender man — meaning a male whose reported gender corresponds to their reported sex at birth.