When Sarah Jama first announced that she was going to run for provincial office, my initial thought was, “The Ontario NDP would be so lucky if Jama joined the legislature. The party would finally push back towards its progressive roots.” I was inspired and felt a revitalized sense of confidence in the electoral system as a tool worth investing my energy into.
After initially supporting Jama’s successful run in Hamilton Centre, the Ontario NDP then kicked her out of caucus. Now, Ontario NDP leader Marit Stiles says she will run a candidate against her in the next election. This is a mistake for several reasons: it contradicts the commitment to progressive values that the party showed when they first supported her, it risks splitting the vote, and it throws away an opportunity to uplift a leader who has strong roots to her community.
Jama’s NDP-backed initial campaign run
Last year, during Jama’s initial election campaign, the Ontario NDP and Stiles offered their robust support, signalling a commitment to progressive values and the importance of amplifying diverse voices within the party. Their endorsements were rooted in a belief in Jama’s ability to represent marginalized communities effectively. If the principles they championed at that time still hold true, it would be inconsistent and counterproductive for them to run a candidate against her in the upcoming election. Such a move would contradict their earlier stance on fostering unity and inclusivity within the progressive movement, undermining the very foundation of trust they sought to build. By aligning their actions with their past commitments, the NDP has a unique opportunity to demonstrate genuine solidarity and reinforce their dedication to progressive ideals in Ontario.
The possibility of an early election
As the possibility of an early election currently looms, our collective conversation around candidate strategy has intensified. For the ONDP, running a candidate against Jama would be a critical misstep, one that would undermine the progressive vote and fracture Ontario’s progressive coalition, which consists primarily of northern Ontario, Ottawa, and blocks of the Greater Toronto and Hamilton area. Splitting this vote would weaken their electoral chances and have far-reaching consequences that divide the broader progressive movement in Ontario (not to mention that it would waste immense resources that would be better spent elsewhere).
During Jama’s latest nomination meeting, there was an electric energy in the room, reflecting the passion and commitment of the crowd. Key speakers such as Fred Hahn, Dr.Yipeng Ge, and a Christian Palestinian community member from Gaza, each contributed unique perspectives and insights that resonated with the crowd. An audience of some 80 people, reaching almost 100 throughout the night, included union presidents and a slew of workers from every background and industry, all ready to support Jama in securing her seat for another term.
The highlight of the evening was the announcement of the results from the independent nomination process, where Jama emerged as the elected candidate for Hamilton Centre Independent Riding Association’s MPP. Her candidacy not only signifies a bold step forward for Hamilton Centre, but also reaffirms the confidence that Jama’s supporters held in the first place.
Jama is an activist first and foremost: she was platformed as an ONDP candidate because of her activism on issues including disability justice, housing and Black Lives Matter. She has walked the walk first and chose to campaign for greater power because that is what the movements — not private interests — called for. Transformative movements must remember this: that electoral politics is only one tool in our kit. When an activist runs for office, the purpose is not to hoard power, but to move it to where it belongs: to shift power as the people call for.
Jama has recognized and honoured her role as a public servant. When the ONDP shamelessly forced an apology from Jama just to expel her from caucus, when the ONDP co-opted Jama’s leadership and passed it off as their own, and when the ONDP perpetuated anti-Palestinian rhetoric to uphold settler-colonialism, Jama stood up for people.
The collective enthusiasm and support for Jama during this nomination meeting illustrates a powerful movement toward change, setting a hopeful tone for the campaign ahead.
ONDP running against Jama would be a mistake
If a snap election was called tomorrow, would the Progressive Conservatives form government in Ontario? Probably. Would they form a majority? It’s quite likely. Let that sink in: Four more years of Doug Ford’s Ontario. If you could change that, wouldn’t you at least try? If the Left in Ontario is supposed to have a fighting chance, we can’t just wait for the ONDP leadership to make up their mind.
Unfortunately, Stiles says she has made up her mind: to run a candidate against Jama, who has a proven track record as a winning candidate.
By refusing to reconcile the ONDP’s anti-black racism towards Jama and their continued methods of silencing pro-Palestinian voices, the ONDP is taking a stand against progress and upholding conservative talking points that in return shield Ford and his cabinet’s scandals.
MPPs aren’t just unseated with the snap of two fingers. In an ideal world, the candidates that run would be people from our communities. They would represent us, be our neighbours, and share the everyday experiences that we go through. In an ideal world, each of those candidates would automatically know how to run a strong, winning campaign. Unfortunately, there often remains a disconnect between campaign/political staff and community leaders, particularly if such leaders are marginalized or face geographical barriers. There is an even bigger disconnection when such leaders stand in their conviction on contested issues, especially if their audiences themselves are marginalized. Suppose we know that ex, solidarity with Palestine has been important to their base, and has been an issue for progressive coalitions in North America. Should our leadership not shift its outdated strategy? It is imperative that the NDP prioritizes uplifting marginalized voices, rather than silencing them to uphold colonial methods of leadership.
To truly bring the Left together and restore faith in the ONDP, an endorsement of Jama from Stiles and the party would be a significant and unifying gesture. This would acknowledge the concerns of those who felt marginalized by past actions and pave the way for healing within the community.
Such a move could also catalyze a new era of progressive leadership that is more attuned to the needs of its constituents. It’s about more than just electoral strategy; it’s a call to action for both the ONDP and Jama to deepen their commitments to the communities they serve. By prioritizing healing and collaboration, they can establish a framework for community-oriented leadership that transcends traditional party lines. Ultimately, this is how we will begin to combat polarization—by fostering solidarity, embracing inclusivity, and recognizing that true progress comes from a united front. Together, they can redefine what it means to advocate for the people, ensuring that the Left stands strong and cohesive in the face of adversity. That is the kind of leadership that will give the Left a fighting chance in North America.
Building working class power
Building working-class power requires a global movement to challenge the status quo. With independent politicians emerging in various countries as beacons of change, these leaders have shown that it’s not enough to seek power for the sake of cosmetic representation; true leadership is about harnessing that power to tackle the pressing issues faced by everyday working people. From climate change to housing affordability and labour rights, independent voices have demonstrated that meaningful change can arise from grassroots movements that prioritize community needs over traditional party politics. The effectiveness of these politicians underscores the importance of using political influence to create tangible solutions rather than merely maintaining status quo power dynamics.
The ONDP’s current campaign strategy prioritizes holding onto existing supporters or appealing to the right instead of taking strong stances on new issues to gain new supporters, risking stagnation that could leave critical issues unaddressed. If the leadership does not evolve to proactively engage with the challenges facing working-class communities, the party will continue to miss opportunities to drive change. Our leadership needs to adopt a more serious and prepared approach, one that actively seeks to uplift and empower marginalized voices while tackling systemic inequalities. By committing to a forward-thinking strategy that prioritizes the needs of the people over mere electoral gains, the ONDP can revitalize its mission and contribute to a stronger, more equitable society. Only through such a transformation can the party truly serve as a vessel for working-class power and advocate for the change that communities desperately need.
As we move forward, it is crucial to rally around candidates like Jama who embody the values and vision for a truly progressive future. It is imperative that we each do our part to support activists, especially those running independently. You can support the campaign by volunteering or donating at their website. Remember: without party support, independent campaigns rely on the generosity of individual donors. To support the campaign, you can visit their donation page. It is in each of our hands to transform electoral politics to uplift working-class movements.
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