Sullivan backs Nash for NDP leadership.
York South-Weston NDP MP is endorsing Parkdale-High Park MP Peggy Nash as the next leader of the NDP.
Photo/COURTESY
Mike Sullivan isn't just voting for the next leader of the New Democratic Party to replace the late Jack Layton, he's voting for the next prime minister.
And the York South-Weston NDP MP has already endorsed his candidate of choice: Peggy Nash.
"I've introduced her at my fundraiser as the next prime minister of Canada," Sullivan said of his fellow Toronto NDP MP who represents the Parkdale-High Park riding.
He got to know Nash well from his own election campaign running for federal office.
"She's an urban riding candidate and she's a seasoned MP," Sullivan noted.
With the historic breakthrough of the federal NDP in last year's election, Sullivan said one of the challenges the new party leader will have to take on is to lead the party as the real alternative to the "mean-spirited, ideological views of the Conservatives."
Another challenge is to establish more of their presence outside of Quebec, where most of the federal seats were gained in the 2011 election, as well as in the rural Canadian ridings.
Within the city, however, Sullivan is looking for the federal government to provide municipalities more money to help fund major projects such as transit and infrastructure renewal.
"The federal government needs to step in," he said.
While Nash is his choice to lead the party, Sullivan said don't expect there to be "blood on the floor" at the all-candidates leadership debate to be held Jan. 18 at York University, which is more typical of American politics.
"We respect each other too much," he said.
The NDP leadership convention is scheduled to take place March 23 and 24 in Toronto where the expectation is for the emerging leader to go "head-to-head with Stephen Harper."
"It will be a historic moment for New Democrats and for Canada," said Chantal Vallerand, NDP national director, in a statement. "I want you to be with us in Toronto when we choose the first ever New Democrat prime minister."
Other candidates vying for the leadership position are Niki Ashton, Nathan Cullen, Paul Dewar, Thomas Mulcair, Romeo Saganash, Martin Singh, and Brian Topp.