By Promod Puri

As Canadians prepare to head to the polls on April 28, the New Democratic Party (NDP) finds itself in a precarious position. The latest CBC poll tracker, released April 7, paints a stark picture: the NDP’s national support has plummeted to just 8.6 percent. In contrast, the Liberals command a commanding 43.9 percent lead, while the Conservatives—though sliding—still hold 37.2 percent.

Based on these projections, the Liberals are poised to secure a decisive majority with 204 seats. The Conservatives would retain their role as the Official Opposition with 117 seats. The NDP, however, is forecast to win a mere four seats—down from the 24 it currently holds. Should this outcome materialize, it would represent a dramatic collapse and a potential turning point for the party’s federal relevance.

Adding to the NDP’s woes, former party leader Tom Mulcair delivered a blunt assessment of the political climate. “This election is a race between the ruling Liberals and the Opposition Conservatives,” he stated, “with little room to spare for the others.” His message was unambiguous: unless a party can credibly claim to challenge the status quo and stand up to international threats such as Donald Trump’s tariffs, it risks being cast aside. That warning was directed not only at the NDP, but also at the Greens and the Bloc Québécois.

The prospect of the NDP being reduced to a marginal presence in a 343-member Parliament is not just a party crisis—it’s a significant shift for Canada’s political landscape. Under Jagmeet Singh’s leadership, the party has played a vital role in shaping national policy through a supply-and-confidence agreement with the Liberals. This cooperation resulted in transformative social programs like national dental care, pharmacare, and expanded child care—hallmark achievements of Singh’s tenure.

Jagmeet Singh, a principled leader and an outspoken advocate for equity and justice, has kept the NDP anchored in its democratic socialist roots. He has consistently championed policies that serve working-class Canadians and the most vulnerable among us. His efforts have helped preserve a necessary counterbalance to the market-oriented leanings of the Liberals and Conservatives.

Canada’s multi-party democracy has long been a safeguard against the binary politics seen in the United States. The NDP, as a voice of the Left, has historically enriched parliamentary debate and policy-making by keeping social justice and economic fairness on the agenda. The loss of that voice—or its severe marginalization—would weaken Canada’s democratic fabric and deprive it of a vital perspective.

The NDP’s dwindling poll numbers are not just a party’s downfall—they represent a larger concern about the future of progressive politics in Canada. If the voice of social democracy fades, who will speak for the workers, the marginalized, and the vision of an egalitarian Canada?

That is not just a political setback. It is a matter of national concern.

Promod Puri is a veteran journalist, author and former publisher-editor of the South Asian LINK Newspaper.