NDP Faces Challenges as Workers Shift Support to Conservatives

OTTAWA – Canada’s political landscape is changing as traditional voting patterns among union members and workers shift. The New Democratic Party (NDP) has seen a decline in support from labor unions, previously considered a stronghold for the party. This shift became particularly evident during the last federal election, culminating in disappointing results for the NDP, which failed to secure seats in key union-heavy regions such as Windsor and Hamilton.

Former NDP leader Jagmeet Singh had emphasized his party’s commitment to workers during a Labour Day address in September 2024. He positioned the NDP as the sole defender of workers’ rights and union interests. Yet, his appeal fell flat when he encountered auto workers in Windsor during the election campaign. Many workers ignored him, some even expressing support for the Conservative Party and its leader, Pierre Poilievre. This moment marked a significant warning sign for the NDP, indicating a fracture in its relationship with organized labor.

The election results confirmed these concerns. The NDP was completely shut out of Ontario, highlighting a dramatic shift in voter allegiance. According to Hassan Yussuff, former president of the Canadian Labour Congress, there are approximately four million unionized workers in Canada, and political parties are increasingly aware of their influence. Yussuff noted, “The labour movement plays an important role in the fabric of the country, and political parties are going to have to be far more attentive around some of the issues that workers are thinking about.”

Both the Liberal Party and the Conservatives have adjusted their policies towards organized labor in recent years, with many acknowledging that the NDP has lost touch with its foundational values. Current interim NDP leader Don Davies admitted that the party must reconnect with its roots, emphasizing its original mission to amplify workers’ voices in federal politics.

Despite receiving endorsements from major labor organizations, the NDP has struggled to translate this support into votes. The Conservatives have successfully garnered backing from union members in industrial towns, demonstrating that unions are not monolithic. Yussuff pointed out that historically, about 25 percent of union members have consistently voted Conservative, debunking the notion that labor unions uniformly support the NDP.

Political strategist Amanda Galbraith highlighted the evolving landscape, noting how Ontario Premier Doug Ford has effectively appealed to working-class voters. She explained that while the Conservatives have been viewed as the party of big business, they have been working to reshape this image to attract a broader voter base. Conversely, Justin Trudeau has faced criticism for focusing on progressive issues that some working-class Canadians perceive as disconnected from their concerns, thus allowing room for Conservative advances.

The changing dynamics reflect a broader trend, according to Steven High, a history professor at Concordia University. He pointed to exit polling from recent elections in Canada, the U.S., and Germany, which indicate a shift of lower-educated voters toward right-wing populism. High remarked that the Conservatives have successfully captured seats in historically strong labor regions, and the impact of these changes could have been more pronounced if not for external factors like trade tariffs.

As the NDP grapples with its shifting support base, longstanding party members like Charlie Angus see the recent election results as a wake-up call. He stated that the connection between organized labor and the NDP has been strained, suggesting that party organizers have become less attuned to grassroots concerns, often prioritizing data over direct engagement with union members.

Reflecting on the party’s historical mission, Angus noted, “We were probably both taking each other for granted. I think we strayed from that mission.” As political parties recalibrate their approaches to labor issues, the future of the NDP depends on its ability to regain the trust and support of workers across Canada.