The New Democratic Party is currently at the third place in Canada’s Parliament, with 44 of 338 seats. The party has never held power.
In the 2011 general election, the party made historic gains only to lose almost a million votes – mostly to Trudeau’s Liberals – four years later.
Singh said he would focus on issues of climate change, reconciliation with indigenous peoples, and electoral reform, The Globe and Mail reported. He has received attention for his sharp style.
Earlier this year, he told the American magazine how his personal style, which includes brightly coloured turbans and well-cut suits, became part of his political brand.
During the leadership campaign, he raised far more money than his competitors did and he said he believes he can continue that success as Leader.
Born in 1979 in Scarborough, Ontario, to immigrant parents from Punjab, Singh grew up in St John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador and Windsor, Ontario.
He obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in biology from the University of Western Ontario in 2001 and a Bachelor of Laws degree from York University’s Osgoode Hall Law School in 2005.
He worked as a criminal defence lawyer in the Greater Toronto Area before entering politics. Sikhs account for roughly 1.4 per cent of Canada’s population. The country’s defence minister is also from the community.
