Jagmeet Singh addresses reporters during a campaign event at a windy Maffeo Sutton Park on Monday morning. (Ian Holmes/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Ian Holmes

stretch drive

Federal NDP leader focuses on healthcare during Nanaimo visit

Apr 21, 2025 | 12:04 PM

NANAIMO — With polls widely suggesting support for the NDP is fading, its leader is on Vancouver Island with one week to go in the election campaign.

Jagmeet Singh, flanked by Nanaimo-Ladysmith incumbent Lisa Marie Barron, attended a news conference at Nanaimo’s Maffeo Sutton Park on the morning of Monday, April 21.

Singh focused his remarks on healthcare, pledging his support to include the most prescribed, essential medications to be included in the country’s expanded pharmacare program.

“In America if you get sick you go bankrupt, in Canada if you get sick you get healthcare. That’s one of the first things people talk about,” Singh said. “I was the only one that stage that fighting with passion to defend our healthcare against cuts.”

Singh, who shrugged off suggestions his messaging is being drowned out by the Liberal and Conservative leaders, said he was the only one defending healthcare at last week’s nationally televised debates.

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Polling prior to and during the start of the election campaign suggests the Mark Carney-led Liberals are leading nationally.

According to polling aggregator 338 Canada, as of April 21 the Liberals are projected to win 184 electoral districts, well beyond the 172 required for a majority government.

Locally, 338 Canada calculates the NDP is at risk of losing six of the seven Vancouver Island ridings, including Nanaimo-Ladysmith.

Regarding strategic voting and concerns about vote-splitting, Singh had a common message.

“Vote New Democrat, New Democrats beat Conservatives,” he said during a cold morning address near the Nanaimo Lions Pavillion.

When asked about what he believes are the most important issues in Nanaimo-Ladysmith, Singh mentioned the cost of living and healthcare.

“A lot of people are saying ‘How do I afford everything?’ The cost of groceries are so high, homes are so expensive with rent and mortgage, and then healthcare I think ties in with that.”

Lisa Marie Barron and Jagmeet Singh arrive at Maffeo Sutton Park on Monday, April 21. (Ian Holmes/NanaimoNewsNOW)

Barron is in a battle for her job in a unique four-way race for Nanaimo-Ladysmith, with the Green Party of Canada and Liberals also factoring into who the next MP for the riding will be.

She downed the Conservative’s Tamara Kronis by about 1,300 votes in 2021 to secure her first term as an MP.

Barron pointed out polls prior to the 2021 vote suggested Kronis was the frontrunner.

“There’s tons of support out there, we just need everybody to get out to the polls to vote. And I can assure you, I beat the Conservatives last time, I can certainly do it again,” Barron said.

Singh has mid-day events scheduled in the Comox Valley, before making a Monday evening appearance in Port Moody.

Monday also marks the final day of advance voting, which goes until 9 p.m.

General election day is Monday, April 28.

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