A year ago, Jagmeet Singh, the former leader of the New Democratic Party (NDP), emphasized in his Labor Day address the party’s commitment to supporting Canadian workers and unions. Later during the federal election campaign, Singh visited an auto plant in Windsor, Ontario, to offer solidarity to workers affected by new auto tariffs imposed by U.S. President Donald Trump. However, his reception was lukewarm, with many workers showing little interest and some expressing support for the Conservative Party and its leader, Pierre Poilievre. This signaled a shift in union voter allegiance away from the NDP.
The election results confirmed this shift, as the NDP failed to secure any seats in Ontario, including in union-strong areas like Hamilton and Windsor. This outcome underscored a changing political landscape where the NDP could no longer rely on union support as it had in the past.
Hassan Yussuff, former president of the Canadian Labour Congress, highlighted the growing influence of unionized workers in Canadian politics. Both the Liberals and Conservatives have adjusted their policies towards organized labor over the past decade, while the NDP acknowledges the need to reconnect with its roots and prioritize worker representation.
While the NDP received endorsements from major labor groups, this did not always translate into member support, leading many union voters in manufacturing towns to back the Conservatives. Yussuff emphasized that unions are not a monolithic voting bloc, with a significant portion historically supporting the Conservative Party.
Amanda Galbraith, a Conservative strategist, cited Ontario Premier Doug Ford and former Conservative leader Erin O’Toole as examples of right-leaning politicians appealing to working-class voters. She noted that the Conservatives aimed to broaden their voter base beyond a reputation as a party favoring big business.
Steven High, a history professor, highlighted a shift towards right-wing populism in Canada and other countries, affecting voter demographics. He noted that the Conservatives made gains in working-class areas, attributing potential further shifts to Trump’s tariff policies.
High also pointed out that right-wing populist parties are adapting their messaging to appeal to organized labor, as the traditional support for the NDP weakens. The NDP, according to longtime MP Charlie Angus, received a “wake-up call” from the election results, indicating a need to re-establish its connection with organized labor and focus on its original mission of representing the working class.
