‘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.
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