NDP leadership candidates outline plans to rebuild party at second debate

Five NDP leadership candidates will meet in a 90-minute debate in Vancouver to present plans for rebuilding the federal party after it was reduced to seven seats and lost official status; the leadership winner will be announced March 29 at the party convention in Winnipeg.

Five candidates for the federal New Democratic Party will take part in a 90-minute leadership debate in Vancouver on Thursday. The contest follows an election that reduced the NDP to seven seats and cost the party official status, making rebuilding a central focus. Moderator Hannah Thibedeau said candidates will address member-selected topics and each will have 45-second opening and closing statements, plus time for follow-up and open discussion. The leadership winner will be announced March 29 at the NDP convention in Winnipeg. What is known: - The Vancouver debate is scheduled as a 90-minute in-person event on Thursday. - Five candidates — Rob Ashton, Tanille Johnston, Avi Lewis, Heather McPherson and Tony McQuail — are participating. - The NDP holds seven seats after the last election and no longer has official party status. - The leadership contest will conclude with a winner announced at the party convention on March 29 in Winnipeg. Summary: The debate gives candidates a structured opportunity to present how they would rebuild the federal party following recent electoral losses. They will cover member-selected topics with brief timed answers and some open discussion. The next major date is the March 29 convention when a winner will be announced.