‘This is a big job, but I am ready for it and excited to get started: Marit Stiles
Posted Feb 6, 2023 04:30:00 PM.
Marit Stiles officially became the new leader of the Ontario New Democratic Party (NDP) on Saturday, Feb. 4 after a majority of party members voted in favour of the lone candidate.
The party confirmed Stiles through a leadership vote at an event in downtown Toronto, making her the leader of the Official Opposition in the legislature.
“I always felt it was a privilege to be elected at any level,” said Stiles on The Sam Laprade Show on Feb. 6. “This is a big job, but I am ready for it and I am excited to get started.”
Stiles, who has been a New Democrat member of provincial parliament (MPP) since 2018, was the only person to run for the leadership. She represents the Toronto riding of Davenport, served for years as the party's education critic, and has previously been a school trustee and president of the federal NDP.
She has said her focus after being elected leader will be on defeating Ford and his Progressive Conservative government in the next provincial election, which is expected to take place in 2026.
Ford congratulated Stiles for becoming leader on Twitter, stating he's “looking forward to working with [her] and all of Team Ontario as we build our future.”
Longtime New Democrat Peter Tabuns had served as interim leader since former leader Andrea Horwath announced her resignation on provincial election night last June.
Stiles thanked Tabuns for stepping up to lead the party and ensuring “there would be no free pass for Conservatives.”
Horwath, who was elected mayor of Hamilton last month, had led the NDP since 2009 and saw it rise from third party to official Opposition status in 2018, though the party's seat count decreased in this year's election.
“Andrea Horwath set a strong foundation for our party,” she said. “I think we have a strong Official Opposition Caucus and we are ready.”
Listen to the full interview with Marit Stiles below:
