OTTAWA — Sporting a bright yellow turban, NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh entered the House of Commons for the first time as an MP Monday to loud cheers.
Singh is the first racialized leader in the Commons in Canadian history.
The leader of the New Democrats had been left out of the political theatre of question period and he wasn't able to have an office on Parliament Hill.
Sworn in & officially in this. Now we double down on fighting for the help that Canadians need – from ensuring everyone has a place to call home to making sure healthcare covers us the way it should – I'm determined & ready to make life easier for people. Let's get it. #cdnpoli pic.twitter.com/nNjrBKt7nl
— Jagmeet Singh (@theJagmeetSingh) March 17, 2019
Singh won his new Burnaby South seat in a February byelection sparked by the departure of former NDP MP Kennedy Stewart, who ran for mayor of Vancouver.
NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh uses his first ever question in the House of Commons to ask about housing #cdnpoli pic.twitter.com/RLWomF1aea
— Mackenzie Gray (@Gray_Mackenzie) March 18, 2019
New Democrats are hoping Singh's presence in the House of Commons will help the party turn the page on a difficult period, marked by challenges with morale and fundraising.
Singh's prolonged lack of a seat contributed to internal battles within his own caucus following his leadership win in October 2017.
Cheers and applause erupt as NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh enters the House of Commons for the first time as a sitting MP.
— CTV News (@CTVNews) March 18, 2019
Watch question period LIVE here: https://t.co/K1M7SapzWm #cdnpoli pic.twitter.com/oIKl2sjLFJ
