Jagmeet Singh and the NDP Represent Canada’s Opportunity to Resist Far-Right Extremism

Across the globe, right-wing populism is on the rise. Whether it be Donald Trump’s election in the United States, the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) gaining momentum in Europe, or the recent election of Javier Milei in Argentina, to name a few, the world is witnessing a wave of populist leaders who have capitalized on fears, frustrations, and division. These leaders are often backed by wealthy elites, who benefit from policies that cut taxes for the rich, dismantle social programs, and scapegoat marginalized communities or the so-called "deep state" as the enemy.

However, Canada faces a unique opportunity in the 2025 federal election to chart a different course — one that contrasts sharply with the global right-wing populist wave. The New Democratic Party (NDP), led by Jagmeet Singh, offers an alternative vision grounded in social justice, wealth redistribution, and economic fairness. While right-wing populists portray the enemy as immigrants and liberal elites, Singh and the NDP focus their ire on the true source of inequality: billionaires and corporate greed.

The Global Rise of Right-Wing Populism

The past decade has seen a dramatic surge in right-wing populism, with leaders around the world riding waves of discontent to power. In the United States, Donald Trump’s presidency was characterized by an “us versus them” mentality, focusing on immigrants, the media, and the so-called “deep state” as the enemies of ordinary Americans. His tax cuts for the rich, coupled with attacks on social programs and healthcare, disproportionately benefitted the wealthy while leaving marginalized communities to bear the brunt of the fallout.

In Germany, the AfD has capitalized on economic insecurity and a growing sense of nationalism to gain political traction. The party has thrived on anti-immigrant rhetoric and a desire to preserve what it sees as a traditional, ethnonational German identity. This populist rhetoric has been echoed in other European countries, from Hungary and Poland to Italy, where far-right parties have gained significant ground.

Meanwhile, in Argentina, Javier Milei’s meteoric rise to power reflects a broader trend in Latin America. Milei, a self-described libertarian and economic outsider, has built his platform on a promise to dismantle the country’s economic order, slashing state spending and cracking down on what he perceives as the entrenched power of Argentina’s political elites. While he frames himself as an outsider fighting the status quo, his policies are deeply aligned with the interests of the wealthy and multinational corporations.

These leaders and their movements tend to thrive on fear and division, often blaming immigrants, marginalized communities, or even progressive elites for the problems faced by working-class citizens. The unifying message is clear: the establishment is corrupt, and only through radical change can society be saved. But beneath the surface, these populist leaders often serve the interests of the rich, pushing through policies that exacerbate inequality and undermine social safety nets.

Justin Trudeau: A Strong Leader, But Canada Needs a Change

For Canada, the 2025 election will mark a significant turning point. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has been a dominant figure in Canadian politics for the past two terms, ushering in progressive policies on issues like gender equality, climate change, and reconciliation with Indigenous peoples. Under Trudeau’s leadership, Canada has made important strides forward — particularly in areas of social justice and environmental protection. His government has expanded public health services, legalized marijuana, and taken steps to address income inequality. Trudeau has been widely recognized for his diplomatic efforts on the global stage and for maintaining Canada’s reputation as a progressive and inclusive country.

However, after two terms in power, polling suggests that Canada is ready for a change. While Trudeau's leadership has been marked by many achievements, it’s clear that his government has faced challenges in maintaining momentum on key issues. Concerns about the affordability of housing, rising costs of living, and the ongoing struggle to tackle climate change are among the issues that have dominated Canadian political discourse in recent years. Trudeau’s handling of these challenges has prompted some Canadians to question whether his government is truly addressing the concerns of ordinary citizens, or whether it is increasingly out of touch with the realities faced by working families.

While Trudeau's leadership has been strong, the political climate has shifted. Canadians are looking for a new direction — one that emphasizes not just incremental progress, but bold, transformative change. In this context, the 2025 election offers a pivotal opportunity for a new leadership to emerge.

The Election in the United States: A Lesson for Canada

Recent political events in the United States offer a crucial lesson for Canada. The 2024 election and its aftermath demonstrated that fighting right-wing, fascist populism with centrist, establishment politics is a losing strategy. Despite Donald Trump’s blatant disregard for democratic norms and his encouragement of divisive rhetoric, many of the policies enacted under President Biden have struggled to meet the pressing needs of working-class Americans.

While Biden’s administration has made progress on issues like COVID-19 relief and infrastructure, it has been unable to fully break from the grip of corporate interests and big-money donors, leading to frustration and apathy among many voters. This has created space for more radical populist voices on both the right and left. However, while the Democratic Party, at times, has struggled to energize its base, left-wing populism — championed by figures like Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren — has shown that offering a direct challenge to corporate power and inequality can draw immense support from the working class. In fact, the success of Sanders' campaign and the rise of progressive policies among younger Americans underscore the truth: right-wing populism cannot be defeated by simply playing the centrist game or trying to appeal to a mythical "middle ground." It can only be effectively challenged by a bold, left-wing populism that calls out the economic elites, challenges corporate power, and addresses the systemic inequalities that right-wing populists exploit.

Jagmeet Singh and the NDP offer just that kind of vision for Canada. Rather than merely treading water with incremental changes, Singh and the NDP propose a full-throttle, left-wing populist agenda aimed at redistributing wealth, reforming the economic system, and tackling the root causes of inequality. Singh’s vision of progressive taxation, universal healthcare, affordable housing, and climate justice offers an alternative that can unite Canadians from all walks of life in the fight for a fairer, more just society.

The NDP and Jagmeet Singh: A Progressive Alternative

Amid this global shift, Canada finds itself at a crossroads. With an election coming up in 2025, Canadians have a critical choice before them. The rise of populist rhetoric — with its focus on dividing communities and scapegoating immigrants — presents a stark contrast to the progressive vision offered by the NDP and its leader Jagmeet Singh.

Where right-wing populists castigate immigrants and liberal elites as the enemies of the people, Singh and the NDP have consistently focused on addressing the real power dynamics that shape economic inequality: the dominance of billionaires and corporate greed. The NDP’s platform aims to dismantle the systemic forces that perpetuate wealth inequality and put the interests of ordinary Canadians ahead of the ultra-rich.

One of the NDP’s core principles is the idea of wealth redistribution through progressive taxation. Unlike the right-wing populists who cut taxes for the rich — often at the expense of marginalized communities and essential public services — the NDP’s policies seek to tax the wealthy and corporations in order to fund universal healthcare, affordable housing, and social programs that benefit all Canadians. The NDP argues that the concentration of wealth and power in the hands of a few billionaires is the root cause of social and economic problems in Canada, from rising housing prices to deepening income inequality.

Canada’s Opportunity in 2025

The global rise of right-wing populism presents Canada with a choice: to follow the path of fear, division, and the enrichment of the few, or to embrace a more inclusive, progressive future that puts people before profits. With the 2025 federal election on the horizon, Canadians have the opportunity to choose a government that prioritizes social justice, wealth redistribution, and fairness.

Jagmeet Singh and the NDP represent the antithesis of the global populist wave. Instead of dividing people and stoking fear, they focus on building a society where the wealthiest pay their fair share, social programs are expanded, and everyone has access to the basic necessities of life — healthcare, housing, and a livable planet.

While the right-wing populists around the world continue to cater to the needs of the ultra-wealthy and blame marginalized communities for society’s problems, the NDP offers a bold, progressive vision for the future. In 2025, Canadians can vote for a government that will not only challenge the power of billionaires, but will also work to ensure that every citizen has a chance to thrive. The world is changing, but Canada has the opportunity to go in a different direction — one that values solidarity over division, and fairness over corporate greed. The time is ripe for new leadership, and the NDP offers a clear and bold path forward.