Endangered Species – an Interview with an NDP MP

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May 27, 2025

Heather McPherson, NDP MP for Edmonton Strathcona, shares her insights on the party's dramatic downturn after significant electoral losses. She discusses the urgent need for strategic reevaluation and grassroots engagement to rebuild NDP's support. The conversation also touches on King Charles' Canadian tour and humorous moments in Parliament, including who might keep rowdy MPs in check. McPherson emphasizes the personal and emotional weight of leadership questions in these challenging times.

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ANECDOTE

MP's Bittersweet Return

Heather McPherson felt bittersweet returning as MP after the NDP's historic losses.
She mourned the absence of strong colleagues she valued in Parliament.

INSIGHT

Strange Election Dynamics

The scale of the NDP's election loss shocked many, including McPherson.
The election was strange, with some voters' strategic choices backfiring.

INSIGHT

NDP Internal Strains Revealed

Internal NDP conflicts surfaced publicly with leadership appointment disputes.
McPherson values caucus democracy but acknowledges differing perceptions among MPs.

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Earlier this year, Jagmeet Singh laughed off the idea of losing. Now, he’s out and the NDP is in free fall. They lost official party status. They lost ground with key voters, organized labor, and their traditional strongholds in B.C. and the GTA. So, did the NDP learn anything from this catastrophic loss? To answer that question, host Noor Azrieh asks Heather McPherson, one of the 7 NDP MPs left.

And, the latest on King Charles Canadian tour, who’s gonna babysit rowdy MPs in the House of Commons, and maybe it's time to break up with Jenni Byrne…for good this time.

Host: Noor Azrieh

Credits: Aviva Lessard (Senior Producer), Sam Konnert (Producer), Noor Azrieh (Host/Producer), Caleb Thompson (Audio Editor and Technical Producer), Max Collins (Director of Audio) Jesse Brown (Editor), Tony Wang (Artwork)

Guests: Heather McPherson

Background reading:

NDP caucus members dispute appointment of interim leader Don Davies – The Globe and Mail
NDP faces 'Parliament from hell' without official party status, says former MP – CBC News
Is it R.I.P. for the federal NDP? Not quite, experts say – CBC News
New Democrats say they want leadership race rules to ensure multiple serious candidates, shorter contest – The Globe and Mail
King Charles and Queen Camilla begin royal visit to Canada – CBC News
Pressure mounting on Poilievre to fire Jenni Byrne: sources – CBC News

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