NDP Leader Jagmeer Singh became sitting MP in the Canada’s House of Commons.  He is the first Indian-origin Non White-Leader to take charge as a leader of the New Democratic Party.  He placed his hand over his heart and walked into the House of Commons before the daily question period.  People in the house cheered for Gurmeet as he walked into the house for the first time as a sitting MP. He was applauded by one and all in the house.  

Jagmeet Singh elected in the federal by-elections held on February 25.  Jagmeet is 40-years-old. In his first ever speech in the house, he talked about the victims of horrific New Zealand shootings. He said, “I want to begin by expressing our solidarity with the people of New Zealand who are mourning the attack on Muslim brothers and sisters… in Christchurch.”

Cheers and applause erupt as NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh enters the House of Commons for the first time as a sitting MP.
Watch question period LIVE here: https://t.co/K1M7SapzWm #cdnpoli pic.twitter.com/oIKl2sjLFJ

— CTV News (@CTVNews) March 18, 2019

After the question period session, he tweeted saying, “Sworn in & officially in this. Now we double down on fighting for the help that Canadians need – from ensuring everyone has a place to call home to making sure healthcare covers us the way it should – I’m determined & ready to make life easier for people. Let’s get it.”

Singh took charge as a sitting MP in the House of Commons after the former NDP MP Kennedy Stewart left the position for the mayor of Vancouver.  He was elected for the Burnaby South seat in the February by election this year.

Sworn in & officially in this. Now we double down on fighting for the help that Canadians need – from ensuring everyone has a place to call home to making sure healthcare covers us the way it should – I’m determined & ready to make life easier for people. Let’s get it. #cdnpoli pic.twitter.com/nNjrBKt7nl

— Jagmeet Singh (@theJagmeetSingh) March 17, 2019

Jagmeet Singh becomes sitting MP in the House of Commons

According to the reports, the New Democrats are hoping Singh’s presence in the House of Commons marks the start of a new era for the party.  As a first question in the house, Singh asked Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to press on the issue of housing.

Singh said, “I met a mom in Burnaby. She bought a home, but cannot afford to live there anymore. Her daughter has a good job, but only gets by because she lives in the basement. Her son does not see a future. Like too many Canadians, he has lost all hope.”

“However, the prime minister is telling families like theirs to wait for help. I believe that better is possible. Will the government commit to building half a million new affordable homes?”

Prime Minister Trudeau started his speech by congratulating Mr. Singh for his entry into the Commons, before touting about the government’s history on fighting poverty.

Singh’s question in the question period went hand-in-hand with the mood of the house.  

Published by Neetu Panwar on 20 Mar 2019