It's not official yet, but the Ontario NDP has a new leader.
Members of the party still need to hold a confirmation vote, but with Marit Stiles being the only candidate, you could say she's a shoo-in.
The Davenport MPP met all the requirements to enter the leadership contest. She had 100 nominating signatures from four of six geographic regions in the province. Half the signatures were from women, and a quarter was from members who were Black, Indigenous, racialized, or disabled.
Let’s do this! I’m running to lead Ontario’s NDP, so we can kick out Ford’s Conservatives and start delivering more for working people – more opportunity, more equity, more access, more hope. #onpoli Join us! https://t.co/v1WB2PmvEM pic.twitter.com/bK7kPw8MUg
— Marit Stiles (@maritstiles) September 22, 2022
The party will hold its confirmation vote in the first week of March.
Former Leader Andrea Horwath resigned on Election Night after losing the race for premier to Doug Ford. Since then, Toronto-Danforth MPP Peter Tabuns has served as interim leader.
"Together with Marit, we will work to build a party and a 2026 election campaign with space for working people and labour, progressives, racialized and equity-deserving Ontarians, and young people," said Ontario NDP President Janelle Brady.
The party said the country has a long tradition of unopposed leadership candidates who won the premier's office, including Dave Barrett, Mike Harcourt, Ray Romanow, Brad Wall, Danny Williams, and John Horgan.
Ontario has only had one NDP Premier, Bob Rae.