Bryan McAllister’s personal reference notebook
August 1, 2026Short & citedBlog
Civic Viewpoint.
A quiet encyclopedia with a personal desk
Kept by Bryan McAllister — short guides, clear facts, and the Canadian angle when it matters.
Civic Brief • Political Party

New Democratic Party

The New Democratic Party (NDP) is a Canadian federal political party founded in 1961.

Updated August 1, 20261 min readCited sources

The New Democratic Party (NDP) is a Canadian federal political party founded in 1961, generally positioned on the left with social democratic and democratic socialist policies. Since March 2026, it has been led by Avi Lewis.

What it is

The NDP was formed on August 3, 1961, through the merger of the Co-operative Commonwealth Federation, the Canadian Labour Congress, and the New Party. It is one of Canada’s major federal parties, with a youth wing called Canada's Young New Democrats and a membership of 100,542 as of 2026.

Why it matters

The NDP’s policies—public healthcare, workers’ rights, affordability, climate action, and social programs—shape federal opposition debates. After the 2025 election, the party fell to 6 seats and lost official party status, affecting its parliamentary influence and role in Canadian politics.

Key details

Jagmeet Singh led the party from 2017 until his resignation in 2025, with Don Davies serving as interim leader until Avi Lewis won the leadership in March 2026. The party’s seat count has fluctuated; it currently holds 6 seats in the House of Commons.

In short

  • Founded in 1961 from the CCF and labour movement.
  • Led by Avi Lewis since March 2026.
  • Holds 6 seats after the 2025 federal election.
  • Advocates for social democratic policies like public healthcare and climate action.
Canadian angle

The NDP is a major Canadian federal party, and its policies and seat count directly affect Canadian parliamentary politics and federal opposition debates.

Quick questions

Who is the leader of the NDP?
The current leader of the federal NDP is Avi Lewis, elected in March 2026.
What does NDP stand for?
NDP stands for New Democratic Party.
How many seats does the NDP have?
Following the 2025 federal election, the NDP held 6 seats in the House of Commons.

Sources

  1. New Democratic Party of Canada — https://www.ndp.ca/news/avi-lewis-elected-leader-ndp
    Supports: Avi Lewis elected leader in March 2026.
  2. New Democratic Party of Canada — https://www.ndp.ca/news/new-democrats-select-don-davies-interim-leader
    Supports: Don Davies served as interim leader after Jagmeet Singh's resignation.
  3. Encyclopaedia Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/topic/New-Democratic-Party-political-party
    Supports: Party ideology and historical overview of the NDP as a Canadian social democratic party.
  4. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Democratic_Party
    Supports: Founded date, merger origins, headquarters, membership, and 2025 seat count.
  5. BBC News — https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/czd74q2nqp0o
    Supports: Avi Lewis elected leader and the NDP's reduced seat count after the 2025 election.
  6. The Canadian Encyclopedia — https://thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/new-democratic-party
    Supports: Leadership transition from Jagmeet Singh and general party background.