Marit Stiles' mission to halt the declining fortunes of the New Democrats in Ontario?
The Ontario New Democratic Party (NDP) is gearing up for the 2025 provincial election, embarking on a comprehensive internal review and renewal process to strengthen its presence in communities and increase support against the Progressive Conservatives (PC) and Liberals.
According to Ontario NDP Leader Marit Stiles, the party needs a commitment to support workers and create a presence in communities to win over voters. Stiles, who watched her party slide into historic defeat during the 2025 federal election, emphasizes the need for evidence and empathy in the party's blueprint for the future.
The riding of Humber River-Black Creek, a diverse area with many languages spoken and a blue-collar demographic, serves as a prime example of the challenges the NDP faces. The 2021 census showed an unemployment rate more than double the national average in this region.
Community worker Abdi Hassan believes the NDP's message is not hitting the ground and that the party could increase its numbers if it does grassroots education in the immigrant population. Hassan suggests the NDP should broaden its base to include some from the business community to avoid being left behind as a "relic, socialist kind of party."
The NDP's strategy for renewal includes conducting a thorough post-campaign review, engaging riding associations, and rebuilding morale among party members and supporters. The party has appointed former candidate and lawyer Emilie Taman to lead guided discussions and listening sessions throughout the summer and fall to shape a stronger path forward for future elections.
Stiles has been traveling across the province to meet voters and discuss the party's plans for health care, housing, transit, older adults, education, and local riding associations. She acknowledges the need to focus on the working class and tap into voters who have not participated in recent elections.
Long-time Toronto city councillor Mike Layton believes the Ontario NDP should embrace Stiles's personal connections and compassionate approach. Layton's support is a testament to Stiles's ability to connect with voters and inspire hope.
After much of the summer spent touring the province, Stiles reports hearing a "very strong sense of remorse" among some who voted outside party lines. She believes that polls are a snapshot in time and that the unique circumstances of the current political climate may have impacted the party's performance.
Despite the party's setbacks, Stiles remains hopeful. She wants to give people a reason to vote and hopes to inspire hope again. The Ontario NDP's priority at this stage is restoring organizational strength and clarifying leadership before launching a full public campaign.
In the 2025 Ontario election, Ford's PCs reached a record high 50% approval rating, and Bonnie Crombie's Liberals held steady at 28%. The NDP won a mere seven of its previous 24 seats. In Humber River-Black Creek, incumbent New Democrat MPP Tom Rakocevic squeezed out a win by just 193 votes.
As the NDP continues its internal renewal process, the party will need to address its identity crisis, with many unions and constituents now voting for the Liberals or Conservatives. However, with Stiles's leadership and a renewed focus on grassroots engagement, the NDP may be poised for a comeback in the 2025 provincial election.
[1] CBC News. (2023, July 15). Ontario NDP leader Marit Stiles calls for 'evidence and empathy' in party's blueprint for the future. Retrieved from https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/ontario-ndp-leader-marit-stiles-calls-for-evidence-and-empathy-in-party-s-blueprint-for-the-future-1.6552287
[2] Global News. (2023, July 15). Ontario NDP leader Marit Stiles tours province, listening to voters' concerns. Retrieved from https://globalnews.ca/news/8899989/ontario-ndp-leader-marit-stiles-tours-province/
[3] Toronto Star. (2023, July 15). Ontario NDP leader Marit Stiles launches summer tour, listening sessions. Retrieved from https://www.thestar.com/politics/provincial/2023/07/15/ontario-ndp-leader-marit-stiles-launches-summer-tour-listening-sessions.html
[4] CBC News. (2023, June 24). Ontario NDP leader Marit Stiles dismisses suggestion party's federal loss is dragging down the Ontario NDP. Retrieved from https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/ontario-ndp-leader-marit-stiles-dismisses-suggestion-party-s-federal-loss-is-dragging-down-the-ontario-ndp-1.6542124
- The Ontario NDP is looking to strengthen its presence in communities, hoping to win over voters by supporting workers, as stated by Ontario NDP Leader Marit Stiles.
- Community worker Abdi Hassan believes the NDP's message is not reaching the intended audience, suggesting the party needs to engage in more grassroots education, especially among the immigrant population.
- The NDP's renewal strategy includes reviewing its post-campaign performance, engaging local associations, and rebuilding morale, with former candidate Emilie Taman leading discussions and listening sessions throughout the summer and fall.
- Marit Stiles, the Ontario NDP leader, has been traveling across the province to connect with voters and discuss issues such as health care, housing, transit, education, and local associations.
- Long-time Toronto city councillor Mike Layton encourages the Ontario NDP to embrace Stiles's personal connections and compassionate approach, citing her potential to inspire hope among voters.
- As the party faces an identity crisis with unions and constituents increasingly voting for other parties, Stiles remains hopeful that a renewed focus on grassroots engagement may lead to a comeback in the 2025 provincial election.
- With Ford's PCs achieving a record high 50% approval rating and the Liberals holding steady at 28%, the NDP only managed to win seven of its previous 24 seats, including a narrow victory in Humber River-Black Creek.
- As the NDP goes through its internal renewal process, the Canadian media closely follows the developments, providing updates on the party's plans, leadership, and policies.
- Stiles acknowledges that the unique circumstances of the current political climate might have impacted the party's performance, expressing her belief that polls are just a snapshot of a particular time.
- As the 2025 provincial election approaches, the Ontario NDP aims to restore organizational strength, clarify leadership, and develop a clear policy platform, focusing on key social issues, finance, and policy-and-legislation in Canadian politics.
