OTTAWA—Toronto MP Peggy Nash will launch her campaign to become the next leader of the federal New Democrats on Friday.

Nash was coy Wednesday when asked about her announcement, expected at 9:30 a.m. at the Gladstone Hotel in Toronto

“I’ll have comments on that in a few days, not today,” Nash told reporters following the weekly NDP caucus meeting on Parliament Hill. “I think one thing that I am focused on right now is what is happening in the global economy and wanting to do my job as finance critic.”

Nash will have to give up that finance critic post once she launches her leadership campaign — something she has previously said was a factor as she weighed the pros and cons of joining the race to replace the late Jack Layton.

On Wednesday, Nash played up the strengths of her caucus colleagues.

“Jack Layton selected a very strong team of candidates to run for the federal NDP, many of whom got elected and are now in the opposition caucus,” Nash said.

“We have lots of people who could perform lots of different roles in the House (of Commons) and I am looking forward to the next four years when many of my colleagues will have a chance to show just what a strong caucus we have.”

Campaign spokesman Tom Parkin would not reveal who will be at Nash’s side for the launch, but said it would be a rally-style event highlighting her community involvement over the years.

Nash was first elected to the Toronto riding of Parkdale—High Park seat in 2006, and then lost it to former Liberal MP Gerard Kennedy in the 2008 election.

She returned to her former job at the Canadian Auto Workers (CAW) union and also served as NDP president before regaining her seat in the federal election this spring.

Nash will be the seventh person to enter the race — and the first woman — after veteran party strategist Brian Topp, deputy leader Thomas Mulcair, Ottawa MP Paul Dewar, British Columbia MP Nathan Cullen, Quebec MP Roméo Saganash and Nova Scotia pharmacist Martin Singh.

Nova Scotia MP Robert Chisholm told reporters in Ottawa on Monday that he is “leaning very closely” toward entering the race and expects to make an announcement soon.

Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading...

Manitoba MP Niki Ashton has also said she is seriously considering a leadership bid.

The Star reported Nash was joining the race on Monday when a communications staffer at the CAW contacted a reporter on behalf of the “Peggy Nash campaign” in order to update a list of media contacts.

Read more about: