Four of the five candidates competing to become the next leader of Canada's New Democratic Party have made it clear that former Liberal cabinet minister Steven Guilbeault would not find a welcome home in their party following his dramatic cabinet departure.
Harsh Criticism from NDP Hopefuls
The strong rejection came during the NDP French language leadership debate held in Montreal on Thursday, November 27, 2025. Edmonton MP Heather McPherson, the only sitting Member of Parliament among the contenders, delivered particularly blunt criticism of Guilbeault's decision to step down as minister of Canadian identity and culture while remaining in the Liberal caucus.
"Mr. Guilbeault quit cabinet but he did not quit the Liberal party and he did not quit the caucus," McPherson stated during a post-debate scrum. "If he really believed this was a fundamental problem for him, why didn't he walk away? This just means he's not interested in doing the work."
When asked directly if Guilbeault would be welcome in the NDP caucus, McPherson responded firmly: "I'm quite proud to say that the New Democratic Party does not accept floor-crossers."
Unanimous Opposition with One Exception
Filmmaker Avi Lewis provided an even more succinct answer when questioned about whether the NDP should accept Guilbeault, responding with a simple but emphatic "NO!"
Union leader and former dockworker Rob Ashton took a different approach, suggesting that voters in Guilbeault's Montreal riding of Laurier—Sainte-Marie had made a mistake by not electing NDP candidate Nima Machouf in the April election.
"Nima would have been fighting for her community. Nima wouldn't have quit, because Nima's not a quitter, she's a fighter," Ashton remarked.
Tanille Johnston, a local official from Vancouver Island, acknowledged that several disaffected Liberal MPs exist on British Columbia's coast but expressed skepticism about recruiting them. "I'm not so sure that reaching out to kind of disenchanted Liberals... is where our relationship should start with the NDP in B.C.," she stated.
Lone Voice of Welcome
The only candidate who expressed willingness to welcome Guilbeault into the NDP was Tony McQuail, an organic farmer who describes himself as a "green progressive." When asked if he would allow Guilbeault to join the party, McQuail responded enthusiastically: "Yes! Yesterday!"
The debate highlighted the ongoing tensions within Canadian politics surrounding energy policy, particularly after Prime Minister Mark Carney signed an energy pact with Alberta that included provisions for a new pipeline. Guilbeault's resignation came in protest of this agreement, which reverses the Trudeau-era ban on West Coast oil tanker traffic.
The next NDP leadership debate is scheduled to take place in British Columbia's Lower Mainland in February, where energy and environmental policies are likely to remain central topics of discussion among the candidates.
