Endorsements

Chris O’Halloran

UFCW staff, Former President – Alberta NDP

I really believe the NDP needs to do a better job of talking to and listening to working Canadians. That’s why I’m supporting Heather McPherson. She stands up for us, she listens to our concerns, and she understands what working Canadians want from our government. I know she can bring the NDP back to Jack Layton levels of support – and that’s why I’m voting for her.

Joanne Moody

Labour relations representative and former Secretary Treasurer of UNITE HERE Local 47

Heather McPherson is a principled, dedicated leader with a strong record of standing up for workers and being a true ally of the labour movement. Her integrity, collaborative approach, and deep commitment to building a fairer, more inclusive Canada make her the right choice for leader. I'm proud to support Heather.

Hon. Douglas Roche, O.C.

Former Senator, MP and Canadian Ambassador for Disarmament. Visiting Professor at the University of Alberta. Author of Keep Hope Alive: Essays for a War-free World

I strongly support Heather McPherson for Leader of the NDP. Heather has the knowledge, vision, integrity and courage to make a great leader. She is already lifting up the NDP. Canada needs Heather McPherson.

Amna Shah

MLA Surrey-City Centre

I am proud to endorse my friend, Heather McPherson. There is no bigger ally to the people of Surrey, running for federal leadership, than Heather. She has been consistent in her support for the people of Gaza, and in building a Canada that works for everyone. She's a rare combination of pragmatic solutions and bold answers to the problems everyday working people face. I've seen the difference our BC NDP government is making for Surrey, and with Heather rebuilding the federal party, I see the future as extremely bright for my community.

Hon. Danielle Larivee

Former MLA and Cabinet Minister (Lesser Slave Lake, Alberta), Nursing union leader

We need a builder as leader. We need someone who can win over Liberal and Conservative supporters, non voters and previous NDP supporters. We need someone who will connect with Canada's working people. Heather McPherson is that candidate.

Jack Harris

Former Leader of NL NDP and MP for St. John's East

I have worked closely with Heather in Parliament and have seen her skill, judgment, and ability firsthand. She is an experienced leader who can bring our party together and strongly focus on our values and on delivering for Canadians. She is the leader we need.

Mandy Lamoureux

President CUPE 3550, Edmonton Public School support staff

In the coldest months of winter, 6,000 education workers in Alberta went on strike for three months. Heather McPherson walked that brutally cold picket line with us, lifted our spirits, and made us feel like what we were doing mattered.

Of course I support Heather McPherson for leader of the NDP. We need more people like her in politics. When Heather sets her mind to something – good things happen.

Glynnis Lieb

Long time CUPE member, union and 2SLGBTQI+ activist

Heather McPherson is always there for the 2SLGBTQI+ community, especially when it comes to the rights of young trans people. Her support is rock solid and steadfast.

And as a union activist, I know she's always there for workers too. I've seen her on the picket lines, at the meetings, and in the trenches. She's there for us on the issues working people care about. she has my enthusiastic support.

Amanda Freistadt

Labour activist and staff member, treasurer, Sask NDP

Working people get results when more NDPers are elected. That's why we need Heather McPherson to rebuild our party. She works hard, she understands working families, and she gets results. I know with Heather as leader, we're going to increase the power working Canadians have in the House of commons.

Shannon Phillips

Former Minister of Environment and Parks and Minister Responsible for the Climate Change Office for Alberta

I support Heather McPherson because I believe Canada needs the NDP. Heather is the Leader we need to rebuild to a place where our shared values come to life in Parliament. She can win in every corner of the country – including, and frankly especially, in places where it's hard, like Alberta and Saskatchewan.

I want a federal NDP leader that wants to work with provincial NDP sections and build our party together, not drive wedges between us.

Carol Hughes

Former NDP MP Algoma-Manitoulin-Kapuskasing

Heather McPherson is one of the hardest-working people I've ever served with. She listens, she brings people together, and she builds solutions that last. Heather leads with strength and compassion, and she never forgets who she's fighting for. That's the kind of leader our party needs.

Michael Janz

Edmonton city Councillor and former Chair, Edmonton Public School Board

In my time with the City of Edmonton and as chair of the Edmonton Public School board, I've worked closely with Heather for better housing, better transit, and against climate change. No matter the issue, Heather brings smarts and passion. Heather unites people together in the fight for issues that matter. I know that with Heather McPherson as leader, there will be a lot more NDP MPs in Ottawa to make sure these issues are heard, loudly and clearly.

Raymond Côté

former NDP Member of Parliament, Beauport-Limoilou

Heather McPherson is a winner. She knows how to build a winning party, and we need that culture to become a party that matters again in Quebec and across Canada.

I have closely followed Heather's work on the conflict in Gaza. She is courageous and has character-she has been able to clearly express her position and remind us of our party's strong moral compass.

It is a pleasure to support Heather McPherson in this NDP leadership race.

Anne-José Villeneuve

Academic and human rights advocate

As a member of Canada's Francophonie, I know that Heather is fighting for us. We saw this when she defended the University of Alberta's Campus Saint-Jean. I see it in her continued efforts to improve her French language skills. I firmly believe that the NDP needs Heather's fierce care to represent us in Ottawa.

Dr. Tarek Nigim, P.Eng.

Canadian Palestinian, Mechanical Engineer

My family is in Gaza. My childhood memories are there. And like so many families living through genocide, famine, and displacement, we lost everything. But here is the thing. In those darkest moments, Heather did not just speak as a politician. She stood with us as a human being. She gave us strength when hope was hard to hold. She did everything she could to help secure my family, to bring them to safety. She listened. She reached out. She made sure our voices were not forgotten. That kind of courage, that kind of compassion is rare in politics.

James Ball

President of the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) Local 730

I support those who support the working class, and Heather has my support.

I'm a simple man, and I believe in action over promises. Heather has never promised me anything, but she has taken action whenever possible.

Heather has been a stalwart supporter and we never needed to ask. She has been on our picket lines in the darkest and coldest days of December. No Liberal or Conservative has ever visited my lines.

Chandra Pasma

MPP, Ottawa West–Nepean, Official Opposition Shadow Minister for Education

I'm endorsing Heather because I know from experience that it takes on-the-ground organizing to win ridings the NDP has never won before. I know Heather has great ideas on how to successfully organize, and she's already demonstrated her willingness to roll up her sleeves and do the hard work.

Jodi Learn

Labour and party activist, Edmonton, Alberta

Heather McPherson is a natural leader who will rebuild the NDP. I've seen her in action, I've worked with her close up, I've seen her win over the sceptical. Heather is who we need.

Lisa Marie Barron

Former Member of Parliament for Nanaimo-Ladysmith

"I had the privilege of working alongside Heather McPherson in Parliament, and I saw firsthand the strength, integrity, and compassion she brings to every challenge. Heather has a proven track record of bringing people together, listening deeply, and leading with the authenticity that Canadians are hungry for. She is a leader who inspires hope across the country and delivers the meaningful outcomes people deserve."

Rachel Notley

Former Premier of Alberta

"Heather McPherson doesn't just talk. She acts. Whether she's fighting for better health care, advocating for Indigenous rights, pushing for climate action that doesn't leave workers behind, or standing up for justice worldwide, Heather is genuine, passionate, and values-driven.

I trust her to grow our movement, bring people together, and fight for the policies that make life better for families across this country.

I'm standing with Heather. I hope you'll stand with us too."

Lou Arab

Union activist and NDP organizer, Edmonton

"Heather is the candidate with the proven track record of winning elections in hard places. She wins support from other parties, and from people who stopped caring about politics. Those who know Heather, like I do, expect great things from her."

Richard Cannings

MP (Retired), South Okanagan-West Kootenay

"I worked closely with Heather McPherson for six years in Ottawa, and I can tell you she's exactly the kind of leader Canada needs right now. Heather has an incredible work ethic, does her homework, and earns respect across party lines because she always comes prepared and ready to find solutions.

He's a tireless advocate for the environment – from her campaign to stop coal mining in the Rockies to her fight for real climate action that supports workers – and she brings that same energy to everything she does. Heather knows how to win people over and bring them together to get things done."

Ahiq Shah, Surrey BC

Activist, Academic and NDP organizer

"I support Heather McPherson to lead the NDP as a party for all Canadians, and I hope you will join me.

Her performance and bold stances on international issues like human rights, social justice, and minority rights are ample proof of her acumen, knowledge and political insight. She is a strong advocate of a balance between economy, environment, and sustainable development in Canada.

She has the vision, determination, political competency. and experience to rebuild and lead the NDP as a party of national unity."

Kristyn Wong-Tam

MPP, Toronto Centre

"New Democrats don't just need blueprints: we need breakthroughs. Heather stood out to me as she reshaped how Canadians talked about Palestine. Her work forced the government to take action when they were doing nothing to uphold human rights. That's the leadership that New Democrats need: someone who can tilt the playing field in favour of working-class Canadians. That's how we'll win more seats.

Heather's ability to connect with people across the entire country gets results. That's why she is the only leadership candidate to have won her seat while defeating Conservatives three times in Alberta.

Our next leader must bring back NDP voters, elect New Democrats across the country, and connect with Canadians of all backgrounds to win a government that works for them. Heather is that leader for me."

Leila Dance

Former Member of Parliament

"Heather is not just talking about rebuilding the NDP—she's doing the work right now! She knows that winning isn't about slogans. It's about showing up, listening, and delivering results that matter: good jobs, affordable housing, strong public services, a future for our young people, and a fairer deal for working families."

Andrew Mackenzie

Retired Political Action Representative, UFCW Canada, Long-time NDP activist and campaign manager

"Heather McPherson understands that rebuilding our relationship with workers and their unions starts with listening. Like with anyone, you don't make policy that affects them without first talking to them. Heather also has the electability factor we need to win back party status – and more."

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