The Paikin Podcast Why Longshoreman Rob Ashton Wants the NDP to Return to Its Roots
Feb 9, 2026
Rob Ashton, a longshoreman and national leader in Canada's ILWU running for NDP leadership, argues for a return to working-class roots. He discusses housing built as public and co-op stock, stronger unionization and worker seats on corporate boards. He also covers sovereignty and defence, support for Ukraine, and reviving grassroots left populism.
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Rank‑And‑File Leadership Background
- Ashton draws on 32 years as a longshoreman and 10 years as national ILWU president to describe his leadership.
- He frames his leadership as bottom-up, driven by rank-and-file membership direction.
Build Public And Co‑op Housing
- Build publicly owned and co‑op housing instead of relying on corporate developers.
- Use Canadian materials and workers, pair builds with rent control and eviction protections to make housing a right.
Daughter's Housing Fear Fueled Campaign
- Ashton shares his 21‑year‑old daughter's despair about ever affording a home as a vivid personal motivator.
- He says that reaction hardened his commitment to fight for housing solutions for younger generations.