Canada’s federal New Democratic Party will launch a six-month leadership contest in September and choose a new leader no later than 29 March 2026, according to a rules framework adopted on 10 July by the party’s national council. The vote is expected to coincide with the party’s convention in Winnipeg. Prospective candidates must pay a $100,000 entry fee, a sum the council says will demonstrate organizational and fundraising capacity. Formal rules—including guidelines on third-party involvement—will be posted before the campaign starts, and all official debates will be streamed in English and French. The race follows Jagmeet Singh’s resignation after the 28 April election in which the NDP was cut to seven House of Commons seats, losing official party status. British Columbia MP Don Davies has been serving as interim leader. Party officials and former MPs hope the contest will help rebuild finances and membership after the worst electoral result in the NDP’s history.