OTTAWA — Jagmeet Singh says he feels the weight of being NDP leader, but isn’t worried — at least publicly — about the state of his party or its financial troubles as he looks toward the 2019 election. Singh, who is marking one year on the job, acknowledges he has faced “challenges” in his new role, but believes the party will be able to turn itself around. He also says he knew what he was getting himself into after two years of poor fundraising following the 2015 election, adding he is confident now the numbers are “trending up.”In recent months, Singh has found himself facing questions from longtime New Democrats concerned about the future of the party, pointing to slumping fundraising figures and poor morale. The New Democrats pulled in $4.86 million from 39,053 donors in 2017, a decline from the $5.39 million collected in 2016, and a steep drop from the $18.59 million in 2015. Former NDP leadership candidate Peggy Nash says Singh has the potential to grow into the role and generate excitement, but says there is “no question” that things seem to be much tougher for him than expected.

Source: National Post September 30, 2018 16:52 UTC