REGINA – Federal NDP leadership candidate Rob Ashton has picked up a key Saskatchewan endorsement in his campaign to become leader of the party.
The Canadian Union of Public Employees Saskatchewan Provincial Executive Board said in a news release that they have officially endorsed Ashton to lead the federal NDP.
The endorsement from the provincial CUPE union, which represents 31,000 workers in Saskatchewan, is key for Ashton’s campaign which has been heavily focused on gaining support and votes from union members and organized labour.
Ashton is a dockworker and is National President of International Longshore Workers Union Canada. In a statement, CUPE Saskatchewan President Kent Peterson pointed to that labour background as a reason to support him.
“Rob Ashton is one of us – a worker – and he has fought for good jobs, safe workplaces, and strong public services his entire life,” said Peterson.
He also believes Ashton’s message and policies will connect with working people — a major issue for the party, after working class voters deserted the NDP during their devastating 2025 election defeat.
“Let’s face facts, over several elections the federal NDP has not resonated with regular working folks – especially where we live here in Saskatchewan,” said Peterson.
“Rob Ashton is bringing workers back to the NDP. Rob is inviting people in, growing the tent, and building the federal NDP so it can actually win elections.”
Ashton is one of five candidates running in the NDP leadership contest. Other candidates include Tanille Johnson, Tony McQuail, Avi Lewis and federal MP Heather McPherson, with McPherson having recently spent time campaigning in Saskatchewan.
Political observers are saying the race is a close and wide-open contest with Ashton, Lewis and McPherson the frontrunning candidates.
The membership cutoff of Jan. 28 is rapidly approaching for party members to be signed up to vote in the leadership contest, with members casting their votes in March. The new leader will be announced March 29 at the party’s convention in Winnipeg.
