{"id":364741,"date":"2021-11-09T19:52:17","date_gmt":"2021-11-09T16:52:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/en.buradabiliyorum.com\/jagmeet-singh-on-relentless-optimism-and-whats-next-for-the-ndp\/"},"modified":"2021-11-09T19:52:17","modified_gmt":"2021-11-09T16:52:17","slug":"jagmeet-singh-on-relentless-optimism-and-whats-next-for-the-ndp","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/jagmeet-singh-on-relentless-optimism-and-whats-next-for-the-ndp\/","title":{"rendered":"#Jagmeet Singh on relentless optimism and what\u2019s next for the NDP"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_85 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-custom ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<label for=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6a3dfcf69b4bb\" class=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-label\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #dd3333;color:#dd3333\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #dd3333;color:#dd3333\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/label><input type=\"checkbox\"  id=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6a3dfcf69b4bb\" checked aria-label=\"Toggle\" \/><nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-4' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/jagmeet-singh-on-relentless-optimism-and-whats-next-for-the-ndp\/#How_do_you_feel_things_are_going_now_that_you_have_two_elections_under_your_belt\" >How do you feel things are going, now that you have two elections under your belt?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/jagmeet-singh-on-relentless-optimism-and-whats-next-for-the-ndp\/#It_seemed_like_conditions_were_ripe_in_this_election_for_NDP_policies_to_shine_Why_didnt_you_gain_more_ground\" >It seemed like conditions were ripe in this election for NDP policies to shine. Why didn\u2019t you gain more ground?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/jagmeet-singh-on-relentless-optimism-and-whats-next-for-the-ndp\/#But_it_looks_like_a_missed_opportunity_What_could_you_have_done_differently\" >But it looks like a missed opportunity. What could you have done differently?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/jagmeet-singh-on-relentless-optimism-and-whats-next-for-the-ndp\/#Have_you_been_ironing_out_that_strategy\" >Have you been ironing out that strategy?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/jagmeet-singh-on-relentless-optimism-and-whats-next-for-the-ndp\/#A_criticism_was_that_the_2021_platform_was_almost_identical_to_the_2019_platform_People_were_asking_Why_hasnt_the_NDP_innovated\" >A criticism was that the 2021 platform was almost identical to the 2019 platform. People were asking: Why hasn\u2019t the NDP innovated?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/jagmeet-singh-on-relentless-optimism-and-whats-next-for-the-ndp\/#What_are_the_major_priorities_you_want_to_concentrate_on\" >What are the major priorities you want to concentrate on?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/jagmeet-singh-on-relentless-optimism-and-whats-next-for-the-ndp\/#Can_you_use_your_leverage_in_the_minority_Parliament_to_work_toward_those_kinds_of_bigger_policy_goals\" >Can you use your leverage in the minority Parliament to work toward those kinds of bigger policy goals?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/jagmeet-singh-on-relentless-optimism-and-whats-next-for-the-ndp\/#Was_that_frustrating\" >Was that frustrating?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/jagmeet-singh-on-relentless-optimism-and-whats-next-for-the-ndp\/#It_seems_like_theres_a_general_leftward_shift_in_Canadian_politics_Conservatives_are_sounding_more_like_Liberals_Liberals_are_sounding_more_like_the_NDP_That_might_be_a_victory_for_progressive_ideas_but_is_it_a_problem_for_your_party_that_everyones_moving_in_on_your_turf\" >It seems like there\u2019s a general leftward shift in Canadian politics. Conservatives are sounding more like Liberals. Liberals are sounding more like the NDP. That might be a victory for progressive ideas, but is it a problem for your party that everyone\u2019s moving in on your turf?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/jagmeet-singh-on-relentless-optimism-and-whats-next-for-the-ndp\/#So_it_doesnt_matter_if_youre_the_prime_minister_whos_doing_it_as_long_as_its_getting_done\" >So it doesn\u2019t matter if you\u2019re the prime minister who\u2019s doing it, as long as it\u2019s getting done?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-11\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/jagmeet-singh-on-relentless-optimism-and-whats-next-for-the-ndp\/#You_disagree_that_everythings_moving_leftward_You_think_its_just_a_facade\" >You disagree that everything\u2019s moving leftward? You think it\u2019s just a facade?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-12\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/jagmeet-singh-on-relentless-optimism-and-whats-next-for-the-ndp\/#You_point_to_examples_of_the_Liberals_sounding_more_progressive_but_not_living_up_to_their_promises_But_theyre_still_winning_elections_Why_is_it_so_hard_for_the_NDP_to_capitalize\" >You point to examples of the Liberals sounding more progressive but not living up to their promises. But they\u2019re still winning elections. Why is it so hard for the NDP to capitalize?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-13\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/jagmeet-singh-on-relentless-optimism-and-whats-next-for-the-ndp\/#Are_you_getting_tired\" >Are you getting tired?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-14\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/jagmeet-singh-on-relentless-optimism-and-whats-next-for-the-ndp\/#You_keep_saying_that_youre_%E2%80%9Cfighting_for_Canadians%E2%80%9D_but_I_wonder_if_the_fight_is_starting_to_feel_a_bit_futile\" >You keep saying that you\u2019re \u201cfighting for Canadians,\u201d but I wonder if the fight is starting to feel a bit futile?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-15\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/jagmeet-singh-on-relentless-optimism-and-whats-next-for-the-ndp\/#Your_leadership_doesnt_seem_to_be_under_any_outside_threat_When_will_you_know_that_its_time_to_let_go_to_pass_the_torch\" >Your leadership doesn\u2019t seem to be under any outside threat. When will you know that it\u2019s time to let go, to pass the torch?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-16\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/jagmeet-singh-on-relentless-optimism-and-whats-next-for-the-ndp\/#Theres_a_narrative_that_says_this_country_is_angrier_and_more_divided_now_than_it_was_before_the_election_Do_you_think_thats_true\" >There\u2019s a narrative that says this country is angrier and more divided now than it was before the election. Do you think that\u2019s true?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-17\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/jagmeet-singh-on-relentless-optimism-and-whats-next-for-the-ndp\/#We_did_see_the_rise_of_the_Peoples_Party_which_welcomed_people_who_are_against_vaccines\" >We did see the rise of the People\u2019s Party, which welcomed people who are against vaccines.<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-18\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/jagmeet-singh-on-relentless-optimism-and-whats-next-for-the-ndp\/#Which_is_not_nothing\" >Which is not nothing.<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-19\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/jagmeet-singh-on-relentless-optimism-and-whats-next-for-the-ndp\/#Beyond_the_pandemic_weve_seen_prominent_women_of_colour_leaving_politics_saying_its_become_more_divisive_and_toxic_and_that_systemic_racism_is_still_a_huge_problem_on_Parliament_Hill_As_someone_who_broke_boundaries_to_be_here_how_do_you_feel_about_that\" >Beyond the pandemic, we\u2019ve seen prominent women of colour leaving politics, saying it\u2019s become more divisive and toxic, and that systemic racism is still a huge problem on Parliament Hill. As someone who broke boundaries to be here, how do you feel about that?<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-20\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/jagmeet-singh-on-relentless-optimism-and-whats-next-for-the-ndp\/#Singhs_tips_for_a_very_good_day\" >Singh\u2019s tips for a very good day<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-4' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-21\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/jagmeet-singh-on-relentless-optimism-and-whats-next-for-the-ndp\/#What_would_you_tell_your_future_child_if_they_wanted_to_become_a_politician\" >What would you tell your future child if they wanted to become a politician?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-22\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/jagmeet-singh-on-relentless-optimism-and-whats-next-for-the-ndp\/#What_is_a_concrete_thing_that_you_can_do_to_make_things_better_for_people_who_want_to_push_past_all_of_that\" >What is a concrete thing that you can do to make things better for people who want to push past all of that?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-23\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/jagmeet-singh-on-relentless-optimism-and-whats-next-for-the-ndp\/#But_words_matter_a_lot_in_certain_contexts_for_example_during_the_election_campaign_the_way_that_Quebec_and_its_secularism_laws_were_discussed_How_does_it_sit_with_you_how_careful_you_seem_to_have_to_be_about_the_way_you_talk_about_that\" >But words matter a lot in certain contexts; for example, during the election campaign, the way that Quebec and its secularism laws were discussed. How does it sit with you, how careful you seem to have to be about the way you talk about that?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-24\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/jagmeet-singh-on-relentless-optimism-and-whats-next-for-the-ndp\/#How_can_you_be_an_ally_in_that_context\" >How can you be an ally in that context?<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<p>&#8220;<strong>#Jagmeet Singh on relentless optimism and what\u2019s next for the NDP<\/strong>&#8221;<\/p>\n<div>\n<p>I caught up with NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh on Parliament Hill on the same day that his new caucus of 25 MPs gathered for their first post-election meeting.<\/p>\n<p>Singh led the New Democrats to a modest increase in the popular vote in September\u2019s election, but the party gained only one additional seat, falling well short of its hope of <a href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/category\/download-scripts-themes-apps\/\" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c=\"9\" title=\"Download Scripts &amp; Themes &amp; Apps\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">app<\/a>ealing to an electorate persuaded by progressive rhetoric but dissatisfied by successive Liberal governments.<\/p>\n<p>The lawyer, former Ontario NDP deputy leader and father-to-be spoke about election disappointments, policy priorities, courageous optimism and what he\u2019ll tell his future child about running for politics.<\/p>\n<p><em>This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.<\/em><\/p>\n<h4><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_do_you_feel_things_are_going_now_that_you_have_two_elections_under_your_belt\"><\/span>How do you feel things are going, now that you have two elections under your belt?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n<p>I feel an immense sense of honour and gratitude that I get to do something I really believe in and love to do, and that I get to hear people\u2019s stories. Things feel good, but it\u2019s still a struggle and there\u2019s a lot of work that needs to be done.<\/p>\n<h4><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"It_seemed_like_conditions_were_ripe_in_this_election_for_NDP_policies_to_shine_Why_didnt_you_gain_more_ground\"><\/span>It seemed like conditions were ripe in this election for NDP policies to shine. Why didn\u2019t you gain more ground?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n<p>In the scheme of things, people didn\u2019t want this election; they were frustrated and basically said they were sending back the exact same Parliament. I think we\u2019re the only party that grew our vote. Everybody else didn\u2019t, so that shows there\u2019s a good trend.<\/p>\n<h4><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"But_it_looks_like_a_missed_opportunity_What_could_you_have_done_differently\"><\/span>But it looks like a missed opportunity. What could you have done differently?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n<p>I\u2019m disappointed. There were a lot of really good [potential] MPs who were so close to winning and would\u2019ve been really good voices in Ottawa. I think that there are 10 or 12 seats where we were a couple of percentage points away. We have to close those gaps.<\/p>\n<blockquote><p><strong>READ:\u00a0Jody Wilson-Raybould on Ottawa\u2019s power problem<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<h4><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Have_you_been_ironing_out_that_strategy\"><\/span>Have you been ironing out that strategy?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n<p>As opposed to [using] the back of a napkin, I like data. I\u2019m very data-driven. We\u2019ve initiated a review with the goal to have a constructive assessment of what worked, what didn\u2019t work and the action items that we need to take to correct some of the things that were just close. In Davenport, we were 76 votes away from winning. In Vancouver Granville, 280ish votes. We\u2019ve got all these seats that were just shy, just a bit, like with Ruth Ellen Brosseau in Berthier-Maskinong\u00e9. These are all very achievable differences.<\/p>\n<h4><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"A_criticism_was_that_the_2021_platform_was_almost_identical_to_the_2019_platform_People_were_asking_Why_hasnt_the_NDP_innovated\"><\/span>A criticism was that the 2021 platform was almost identical to the 2019 platform. People were asking: Why hasn\u2019t the NDP innovated?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n<p>Everything in there is stuff that we still believe in, and we\u2019re not going to abandon stuff we believe in. I think the criticism I heard was that we were too ambitious. We want to do too many things. And I think there might be something there. That people want to believe us and are nervous about whether we have a plan to achieve these things.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_1229651\" style=\"width: 410px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-sizes=\"auto\" class=\"wp-image-1229651 lazyload\" src=\"https:\/\/www.macleans.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/JAGMEET-SINGH-SMITH-OCT20-01.jpg\" alt=\"Canada's New Democratic Party leader Jagmeet Singh in Ottawa October 6, 2021. Photograph by Blair Gable\" width=\"400\" height=\"600\"\/><\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-caption-text\">(Photograph by Blair Gable)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<h4><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_are_the_major_priorities_you_want_to_concentrate_on\"><\/span>What are the major priorities you want to concentrate on?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n<p>I want people to know that we\u2019ve got a plan around pharmacare. It\u2019s a really thorough plan. We\u2019ve studied the New Zealand model. We\u2019ve got clear evidence on how covering those medications will result in fewer cases of extreme illness. We\u2019ve got evidence around outcomes and how it improves health and reduces cost. Even with telecoms, there\u2019s actually a whole bunch of real things we can do. We can start with a price cap. It\u2019s worked in the States; it\u2019s worked in Australia. There\u2019s one clear law that if we changed it overnight, it would open up the ability to have low-cost options, and [the problem] is that low-cost competitors can\u2019t use companies\u2019 existing infrastructure. It\u2019s like building a bunch of roads and no one else can use the roads.<\/p>\n<h4><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Can_you_use_your_leverage_in_the_minority_Parliament_to_work_toward_those_kinds_of_bigger_policy_goals\"><\/span>Can you use your leverage in the minority Parliament to work toward those kinds of bigger policy goals?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n<p>What can I do right now that would im<a href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/category\/social-mediaa\/\" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c=\"1\" title=\"Social Media\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">media<\/a>tely help people, that we can push, that is timely, that we can build enough momentum around? I think the focus would be on getting through the pandemic. One of the most important tools is paid sick leave. I fought to expand it 22 times in Parliament. Trudeau said no, and then in the middle of the campaign he said yes, we\u2019ll do it.<\/p>\n<blockquote><p><strong>READ:\u00a0Mark Messier on leadership, trust and magic mushrooms<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<h4><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Was_that_frustrating\"><\/span>Was that frustrating?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n<p>I was insulted by the fact that they had the gall to say no 22 times, and just cynically present it in the middle of the campaign. I would love to get it done. I don\u2019t care about credit; we\u2019ll sort out credit down the road, whenever people believe who they believe.<\/p>\n<h4><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"It_seems_like_theres_a_general_leftward_shift_in_Canadian_politics_Conservatives_are_sounding_more_like_Liberals_Liberals_are_sounding_more_like_the_NDP_That_might_be_a_victory_for_progressive_ideas_but_is_it_a_problem_for_your_party_that_everyones_moving_in_on_your_turf\"><\/span>It seems like there\u2019s a general leftward shift in Canadian politics. Conservatives are sounding more like Liberals. Liberals are sounding more like the NDP. That might be a victory for progressive ideas, but is it a problem for your party that everyone\u2019s moving in on your turf?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n<p>No, because our goal is to make things better.<\/p>\n<h4><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"So_it_doesnt_matter_if_youre_the_prime_minister_whos_doing_it_as_long_as_its_getting_done\"><\/span>So it doesn\u2019t matter if you\u2019re the prime minister who\u2019s doing it, as long as it\u2019s getting done?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n<p>My dilemma is that I don\u2019t think it\u2019s going to get done. Pharmacare is a really good example. Trudeau campaigned on it in 2019 and promised it in a throne speech. And not only did he not do it, but we actually presented a bill to move forward, and the bill was based on their own report. It recommended a Canada Pharmacare Act that would be one of the key steps to establishing the system. We literally put that in word for word\u2014with no, like, \u201cand the Liberals suck,\u201d so they can\u2019t say, \u201cOh, we voted against it because you added in that the Liberals suck.\u201d They voted against it. The final nail in the coffin is that in their budget they have zero dollars allocated for it. So are they really into pharmacare? No. The evidence doesn\u2019t show that.<\/p>\n<blockquote><p><strong>READ:\u00a0Liberal and NDP officials mull over a potential deal<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<h4><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"You_disagree_that_everythings_moving_leftward_You_think_its_just_a_facade\"><\/span>You disagree that everything\u2019s moving leftward? You think it\u2019s just a facade?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n<p>I think it\u2019s a facade. On taxing billionaires, it seems like a very clear thing. It makes a lot of sense. We put all of that into a motion saying let\u2019s go after pandemic profiteering, offshore tax havens\u2014Pandora Papers type of stuff. And the Liberals voted no. And the Conservatives voted no.<\/p>\n<h4><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"You_point_to_examples_of_the_Liberals_sounding_more_progressive_but_not_living_up_to_their_promises_But_theyre_still_winning_elections_Why_is_it_so_hard_for_the_NDP_to_capitalize\"><\/span>You point to examples of the Liberals sounding more progressive but not living up to their promises. But they\u2019re still winning elections. Why is it so hard for the NDP to capitalize?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n<p>It is hard to dream big. It\u2019s hard to imagine a world outside of what you know. Liberal and Conservative, that\u2019s kind of what folks have known, and it\u2019s hard to break that cycle.<\/p>\n<h4><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Are_you_getting_tired\"><\/span>Are you getting tired?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n<p>[<em>laughs<\/em>] No, do I sound it?<\/p>\n<h4><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"You_keep_saying_that_youre_%E2%80%9Cfighting_for_Canadians%E2%80%9D_but_I_wonder_if_the_fight_is_starting_to_feel_a_bit_futile\"><\/span>You keep saying that you\u2019re \u201cfighting for Canadians,\u201d but I wonder if the fight is starting to feel a bit futile?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n<p>I am a spiritual optimist. I am a relentless optimist. Part of that is my mom\u2019s training. She taught me these philosophical ideals. There\u2019s a phrase that is commonly used in the Sikh tradition that was her response to anything: \u201c<em>chardi kala<\/em>,\u201d which means \u201crising spirits.\u201d When she taught me the phrase as a kid, I thought she just meant she was in a good mood. I said it back once to her. And she said, \u201cWhy?\u201d I said, \u201cWhat do you mean, \u2018why?\u2019 I\u2019m trying to use the language and get better at it.\u201d She\u2019s like, \u201cYou missed the point.\u201d <em>Chardi kala<\/em> means rising spirits specifically in the face of difficult odds. Defiant of those odds, I\u2019m in rising spirits.<\/p>\n<h4><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Your_leadership_doesnt_seem_to_be_under_any_outside_threat_When_will_you_know_that_its_time_to_let_go_to_pass_the_torch\"><\/span>Your leadership doesn\u2019t seem to be under any outside threat. When will you know that it\u2019s time to let go, to pass the torch?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n<p>I would say when you don\u2019t have the energy, you don\u2019t have the fire and you can no longer make a positive contribution. I\u2019ve got lots of energy and lots of fire, and so I don\u2019t see that happening any time soon. I\u2019ve got a good vegetarian lifestyle. I work out a lot and meditate. I\u2019ve got energy for days.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_1229677\" style=\"width: 660px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-sizes=\"auto\" class=\"wp-image-1229677 lazyload\" src=\"https:\/\/www.macleans.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/JAGMEET-SINGH-SMITH-OCT20-03.jpg\" alt=\"Jagmeet Singh, Federal NDP leader candidate, and Ontario NDP provincial MPP of Bramalea-Gore-Malton, works out at the South Fletcher's Sportsplex in Bramtpon, Ontario, Canada. June 2, 2017. (Photograph by Mark Blinch)\" width=\"650\" height=\"407\"\/><\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-caption-text\">Singh, working out during his successful run for the NDP leadership in 2017 (Photograph by Mark Blinch)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<h4><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Theres_a_narrative_that_says_this_country_is_angrier_and_more_divided_now_than_it_was_before_the_election_Do_you_think_thats_true\"><\/span>There\u2019s a narrative that says this country is angrier and more divided now than it was before the election. Do you think that\u2019s true?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n<p>I think that Trudeau and O\u2019Toole both benefit from that and kind of want to create that. They create moments that are not necessarily divisive at all and make them divisive. Trudeau tried to make vaccination a political issue; that is not something you should be wedging. It is going to literally hurt the country if there\u2019s a divide on that.<\/p>\n<h4><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"We_did_see_the_rise_of_the_Peoples_Party_which_welcomed_people_who_are_against_vaccines\"><\/span>We did see the rise of the People\u2019s Party, which welcomed people who are against vaccines.<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n<p>I would say that\u2019s small. Like six per cent?<\/p>\n<h4><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Which_is_not_nothing\"><\/span>Which is not nothing.<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n<p>It\u2019s like, 94 per cent of people don\u2019t agree with that. So I would say that\u2019s a huge consensus. It\u2019s a supermajority of people who are not in that world.<\/p>\n<h4><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Beyond_the_pandemic_weve_seen_prominent_women_of_colour_leaving_politics_saying_its_become_more_divisive_and_toxic_and_that_systemic_racism_is_still_a_huge_problem_on_Parliament_Hill_As_someone_who_broke_boundaries_to_be_here_how_do_you_feel_about_that\"><\/span>Beyond the pandemic, we\u2019ve seen prominent women of colour leaving politics, saying it\u2019s become more divisive and toxic, and that systemic racism is still a huge problem on Parliament Hill. As someone who broke boundaries to be here, how do you feel about that?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n<p>Everyone is here because of the people before them. It\u2019s hard to imagine yourself as a leader when you\u2019ve never seen someone like you as a leader. And spaces that have been predominantly [occupied by] old white men are not going to be very welcoming to women or racialized people. I think about my contribution, what I can do to tackle that, how I can make the space more inclusive. I think about, with my future kid, what I would tell my daughter. And I have a niece\u2014my brother and I are pretty tight, and we have a common living arrangement. When I\u2019m back in Brampton, we all live in a bubble together. I think about her a lot.<\/p>\n<hr\/>\n<div style=\"background-color: #9db0d0; padding: 20px;\">\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Singhs_tips_for_a_very_good_day\"><\/span>Singh\u2019s tips for a very good day<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Jagmeet Singh says an excellent day means supporting local businesses and enjoying quality listening, reading and eating. Here are a few of his recommendations. (Click through this gallery)<\/p>\n<div id=\"longform-carousel-container\" class=\"carousel slide\" data-interval=\"false\" data-ride=\"carousel\">\n<div class=\"carousel-inner\">\n<div class=\"carousel-item active\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-sizes=\"auto\" src=\"https:\/\/www.macleans.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/JAGMEET-SINGH-FAVOURITE-THINGS-SMITH-OCT20-02b.jpg\" alt=\"Good music: Lauryn Hill on vinyl, picked up at Neptoon Records in Vancouver\" class=\"d-block w-100\"\/><\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><strong>Good music:<\/strong> Lauryn Hill on vinyl, picked up at Neptoon Records in Vancouver<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"carousel-item\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-sizes=\"auto\" src=\"https:\/\/www.macleans.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/JAGMEET-SINGH-FAVOURITE-THINGS-SMITH-OCT20-01-1-1.jpg\" alt=\"Good book: Tigana by Canadian author Guy Gavriel Kay\" class=\"d-block w-100\"\/><\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><strong>Good book:<\/strong> Tigana by Canadian author Guy Gavriel Kay<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"carousel-item\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-sizes=\"auto\" src=\"https:\/\/www.macleans.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/JAGMEET-SINGH-FAVOURITE-THINGS-SMITH-OCT20-03-766x431.jpg\" alt=\"Good food: His mom\u2019s Rajma Chawal (a vegan Punjabi chili and rice dish)...or,on the road, food from Sushi Momo in Montreal\" class=\"d-block w-100\"\/><\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><strong>Good food<\/strong>: His mom\u2019s Rajma Chawal (a vegan Punjabi chili and rice dish)&#8230;or, on the road, food from Sushi Momo in Montreal (Jogy Abraham\/iStock)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"carousel-control-prev\" role=\"button\" data-target=\"#longform-carousel-container\" data-slide=\"prev\"><span class=\"carousel-control-prev-icon\" aria-hidden=\"true\"\/><span class=\"sr-only\">Previous<\/span><\/a><a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"carousel-control-next\" role=\"button\" data-target=\"#longform-carousel-container\" data-slide=\"next\"><span class=\"carousel-control-next-icon\" aria-hidden=\"true\"\/><span class=\"sr-only\">Next<\/span><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<hr\/>\n<h4><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_would_you_tell_your_future_child_if_they_wanted_to_become_a_politician\"><\/span>What would you tell your future child if they wanted to become a politician?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n<p>I think there are three things people who are not seen as the traditional person that goes into power are told. One is that they\u2019re not good enough, despite their credentials. I\u2019ve called women to recruit them to run who are more than qualified, and they say, \u201cOh, I can\u2019t do that.\u201d And then the number of times I call, no offence, a dude who\u2019s probably not as qualified, and he\u2019s like, \u201cOh yeah, for sure, I\u2019d do that.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The other thing you\u2019re told is that because you organize in your community, somehow the broader community won\u2019t accept you.<\/p>\n<p>The final thing people are told is that they don\u2019t look right for the role. There\u2019s a lot of focus on appearances and clothing and the look of an Indigenous person, of a racialized person, of a Black person. I think we need to celebrate people for what they are, not make them feel like they don\u2019t belong.<\/p>\n<h4><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_is_a_concrete_thing_that_you_can_do_to_make_things_better_for_people_who_want_to_push_past_all_of_that\"><\/span>What is a concrete thing that you can do to make things better for people who want to push past all of that?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n<p>To flip it, it\u2019s to not take Indigenous kids to court. To deliver clean drinking water. To start building affordable housing. I think there are choices being made that reinforce this feeling of not belonging. My community is going through this pain, and the institution that can fix it is making choices that allow that to continue. I think it\u2019s the outcomes that people want, it\u2019s not that they should get a hug when they walk in the door.<\/p>\n<h4><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"But_words_matter_a_lot_in_certain_contexts_for_example_during_the_election_campaign_the_way_that_Quebec_and_its_secularism_laws_were_discussed_How_does_it_sit_with_you_how_careful_you_seem_to_have_to_be_about_the_way_you_talk_about_that\"><\/span>But words matter a lot in certain contexts; for example, during the election campaign, the way that Quebec and its secularism laws were discussed. How does it sit with you, how careful you seem to have to be about the way you talk about that?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n<p>My goal is that I don\u2019t want to have any discriminatory laws in Canada. Laws that discriminate against people are wrong, period. People on the ground say there\u2019s a way for people outside of Quebec to help and there\u2019s a way for them not to help. I want to be an ally.<\/p>\n<h4><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_can_you_be_an_ally_in_that_context\"><\/span>How can you be an ally in that context?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n<p>Saying that it\u2019s discriminatory is just a fact, so I\u2019m not going to back down from that. But people on the ground are saying that when the rest of Canada isolates Quebec and says Quebec is racist, what happens is that even people who are trying to fight the bill get caught up in the question of Quebec being more racist or less racist than other places, rather than focusing on dealing with this discrimination. Isolating systemic racism or discrimination to one province is not helpful. The worst clean drinking water problems are in Ontario. That\u2019s systemic racism writ large, the fact that Indigenous people can\u2019t get clean drinking water. That\u2019s happening everywhere. Policing that is discriminatory based on people\u2019s race is happening across Canada. That\u2019s a Canada-wide problem.<br \/>\n<span class=\"ctx-article-root\"><!-- --><\/span>\n                            <\/div>\n<p><script async defer crossorigin=\"anonymous\" src=\"https:\/\/connect.facebook.net\/en_US\/sdk.js\"><\/script><\/p>\n<blockquote><p><strong><span style=\"color: #ff6600;\">If you liked the article, do not forget to share it with your friends. Follow us on\u00a0<span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><a style=\"color: #ff0000;\" href=\"https:\/\/news.google.com\/publications\/CAAqBwgKMLG0nwswvr63Aw\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\">Google News<\/a><\/span>\u00a0too, click on the star and choose us from your favorites.<\/span><\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<blockquote>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">For forums sites go to <span style=\"color: #ff9900;\"><a style=\"color: #ff9900;\" href=\"https:\/\/forum.buradabiliyorum.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Forum.BuradaBiliyorum.Com<\/a><\/span><\/strong>\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<blockquote>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>If you want to read more <a href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/category\/news\/\" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c=\"2\" title=\"News\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">News<\/a> articles, you can visit our <span style=\"color: #ff9900;\"><a style=\"color: #ff9900;\" href=\"https:\/\/en.buradabiliyorum.com\/general\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">General category.<\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><span style=\"color: black;\"><a style=\"color: #ff9900;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.macleans.ca\/longforms\/jagmeet-singh-interview-2021\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Source<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>&#8220;#Jagmeet Singh on relentless optimism and what\u2019s next for the NDP&#8221; I caught up with NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh on Parliament Hill on the same day that his new caucus of 25 MPs gathered for their first post-election meeting. Singh led the New Democrats to a modest increase in the popular vote in September\u2019s election,&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":364742,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.macleans.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/JAGMEET-SINGH-SMITH-OCT20-02-a-766x431.jpg","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[67806,72374,72538,103541],"class_list":["post-364741","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-general","tag-editors-picks","tag-jagmeet-singh","tag-ndp","tag-the-interview"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/364741","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=364741"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/364741\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/364742"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=364741"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=364741"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=364741"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}