ashton

Churchill NDP MP Niki Ashton campaigns in Moose Jaw Friday in her bid to become the leader of the Federal New Democrats. (Photo: DiscoverMooseJaw.com)

With the federal election last year, the New Democratic Party saw some pretty major changes after becoming the official opposition in Canada.

Unfortunately, the untimely death of party leader Jack Layton left a bit of a hole for the party. But several candidates have stepped up looking to be the new leader. Niki Ashton is one of those NDP hopefuls and was in Moose Jaw Friday night.

She says that for Canada to see an NDP government, she believes the key is in the west: "Those of us living on the Prairies know this. Those of us that live in communities that know what it means to be represented by Members of Parliament who say nothing and don't fight on behalf of the issues that matter to us knows what it means. Those of us that know what the Harper agenda is going to do to communities across our three provinces know why we need an NDP force in this part of the country."

Ashton is one of seven people vying to become the next leader of the federal New Democrats. The others are MPs Nathan Cullen, Paul Dewar, Thomas Mulclair, and Peggy Nash, pharmacist Martin Singh, and former party president Brian Topp.

The NDP leadership election takes place March 24th.