Jagmeet Singh visits Waterloo region to show support for provincial NDP candidates

Jagmeet Singh, leader of the federal New Democratic Party, was in Waterloo region Monday in support of local NDP provincial candidates ahead of the June 2 election. His first stop was Laura Mae Lindo's campaign office in downtown Kitchener.  

"I was provincial member of parliament before," he told CBC Kichener-Waterloo. "I had the honour of serving with Andrea Horwath as my leader at the time and there's a lot of unfinished business, I feel."

Singh added that he wants "to be here to help bring in a New Democratic government that's going to be focused on people, on their needs on healthcare, on housing, on all the crises that people are dealing with."

"I think affordability has been a really big concern," Singh said. "Lots of people are worried about it. Healthcare has been in a crisis and we've seen the results of a government that doesn't prioritize healthcare."

After the news conference, Singh took photos with voters and heard their concerns.

Barry Challice, of Kitchener, happened to be passing by and spoke with both Singh and Lindo. He told CBC that seeing Singh in his community will impact who he supports on election day.

"To me it says he's willing to be visible and willing to meet with the people and listen to what they have to say," Challice said. "I think that's very important."  

In Waterloo region, the two of five provincial ridings — Waterloo and Kitchener Centre — have NDP incumbents.   

Of the three others — Kitchener-Conestoga, Kitchener South-Hespeler and Cambridge — all were initially won by the Progressive Conservatives, Belinda Karahalios was ousted from the PC caucus. She is now running under the New Blue Party banner.

Singh visited all campaign offices during his May 9 visit except for the office of Catherine Fife, who is NDP's Waterloo candidate.