As the sun set on April 28, 2025, NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh found himself in a precarious position, anxiously awaiting the election results in his home riding of Burnaby Central. The stakes couldn't be higher, as Singh was not only fighting to maintain his seat in the House of Commons but also to uphold the integrity of his party amidst a troubling decline in support.
By 9 p.m. local time, Singh was trailing in third place, behind Liberal candidate Wade Chang and Conservative candidate James Yan. The new Burnaby Central riding, which replaced the former electoral district of Burnaby South, had become a focal point in the election, reflecting the shifting political landscape in British Columbia. Burnaby South, once a bastion of NDP strength, had been redrawn and was now at risk of being lost to competing parties.
According to a poll published by Research Co. just a day before the election, support for the NDP had plummeted to a mere 7 percent nationally. This alarming statistic highlighted the party's struggle to retain its voter base, with only 39 percent of those who supported the NDP in 2021 indicating they would vote for Singh's party again. In stark contrast, the Conservatives boasted an impressive voter retention rate of 89 percent, while the Liberals maintained a rate of 79 percent.
Singh's campaign had shifted dramatically in the weeks leading up to the election, focusing on a message of strategic voting as polls indicated a bleak outlook for the NDP. In an interview with OMNI News, Singh downplayed the significance of the polls, suggesting they were not reliable indicators of voter sentiment. "We were said to lose all support, and the leader was going to lose their seat, but the party was able to win Official Opposition status in Ontario just a couple months ago," he remarked, referring to Ontario NDP Leader Marit Stiles' recent success.
As the election unfolded, Singh's party was faced with the grim possibility of losing official party status, a scenario that would not only jeopardize Singh's leadership but also reshape the NDP's future in Canadian politics. Observers noted that the NDP's traditional base appeared to be splintering, with many left-leaning voters gravitating towards the Liberals.
Despite these challenges, NDP officials expressed optimism about their get-out-the-vote efforts, reporting internal polling that suggested late momentum gains in both Ontario and British Columbia. However, concerns about inclement weather loomed large, as rain in Metro Vancouver could deter potential voters from heading to the polls.
Throughout the campaign, Singh and his party had reminded voters of their role in introducing significant healthcare initiatives, including dental care and pharmacare programs, during the previous minority government. Yet, Singh's support for Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's administration allowed Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre to effectively tie him to an unpopular government, further complicating Singh's bid for re-election.
The atmosphere at Singh's election-night event, held in a hotel ballroom in Burnaby Central, was a mix of anticipation and anxiety. Guests were not expected to fill the room until around 11 p.m. ET, as volunteers and campaign staff worked diligently right up until the polls closed in British Columbia at 10 p.m. ET. Singh was accompanied by his wife, Gurkiran Kaur, their two young children, and his parents, all gathered in a hotel suite to watch the unfolding election results. A photographer and TV camera operator described the mood as jovial, despite the underlying tension.
As the evening progressed, Singh concluded his campaign on a somber note, urging Canadians to recognize the importance of electing New Democrats to ensure that the next government remains honest and accountable. His message resonated with some, but it remained to be seen whether it would be enough to sway voters in a race that had increasingly appeared to be a two-party contest.
As the clock ticked down to the closing of the polls, Singh's fate hung in the balance. Would he be able to defy the odds and retain his seat, or would the NDP's decline continue, marking a significant turning point in Canadian politics? The results were imminent, and all eyes were on Burnaby Central.
