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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INSIGHT

Value of Tough Conversations

The NDP caucus is committed to democratic dialogue despite challenges.
Difficult conversations within the party are essential for growth.

INSIGHT

Criticism of Party Direction

Criticism claims NDP's strategy mimics past failures causing electoral collapse.
McPherson prefers these issues be addressed privately inside party and caucus.

ADVICE

Rebuild by Listening

The NDP must listen carefully to Canadians and learn why they weren't chosen.
Rebuilding requires grassroots engagement and relearning from voters’ feedback.

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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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