Martin Singh, a Nova Scotia businessman with four degrees, will announce his bid Sunday morning, at a hotel in Mississauga, Ont., west of Toronto, a source close to his campaign confirmed Thursday, reported Postmedia.
OTTAWA — A little-known but long-time New Democrat – a white turbaned Sikh – with few ties to the Ottawa political scene is expected to officially announce his bid for leadership of the federal NDP. Martin Singh, a Nova Scotia businessman with four degrees, will announce his bid Sunday morning, at a hotel in Mississauga, Ont., west of Toronto, a source close to his campaign confirmed Thursday, reported Postmedia.
Singh was in Surrey on Friday drumming up support ahead of his announcement on Sunday. He met with local Indo-Canadian community members at a meeting held at the Grand Taj Banquet Hall at 2 p.m.
The announcement would come just hours before NDP MP Paul Dewar, the party’s foreign affairs critic, is expected to announce his candidacy in Ottawa.
“The cat seems to be out of the bag,” the source said reluctantly, after a short story first appeared online in the Sikh Press.
“The outpouring of support is such that I think it’s pointed in a positive direction and we’re going to make that announcement.”
The 38-year-old married father of three young children resides in Musquodoboit Harbour, N.S. — part of the Sackville-Eastern Shore riding currently held by New Democrat Peter Stoffer.
He’s also very active in the Sikh community which is particularly strong in Mississauga and in nearby Brampton.
The pharmacist and businessman is described in a brief biographical sketch provided to Postmedia News as a “pro-business” member of the NDP who currently serves as president of the party’s faith and social justice commission.
He holds degrees in chemistry, chemical engineering and pharmacy from Dalhousie University, as well as an MBA from Saint Mary’s University and serves as a reservist in the Canadian Armed Forces.
He’s been an active member of the party for more than 15 years but has never run for public office at any level.
Singh plans to base his leadership bid on four policy areas: entrepreneurship and engaging the business community, health care and the promotion of a national pharmacare plan, the environment and the issue of leadership, itself.
So far, only backroom strategist Brian Topp and Quebec MP Romeo Saganash have officially declared their intention to run. MPs Thomas Mulcair, Peggy Nash and Robert Chisholm also have said they’re mulling over their options.
News Source: the Link Paper
