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BURNABY, B.C. — Jagmeet Singh won’t be the Canada’s next prime minister but he might have earned himself and his fellow New Democrats the next best thing: a key role in shaping the direction of Justin Trudeau’s Liberal minority.

The NDP leader led a loose, largely error-free campaign that received a surge of momentum late in the 40-day race, although the party couldn’t turn it into seat gains.

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But Singh is vowing his party will play a constructive role in the new Parliament that Canadians have chosen, a message he also delivered to Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau in a phone call Monday night.

“Throughout this campaign we heard a lot of stories from Canadians and about Canadians who are struggling, and just want to build a good life but are finding it harder and harder to do so,” he said.

“To those Canadians I want to say this to you tonight: New Democrats are going to Ottawa to fight for you.”

In a speech that touched on many of the issues and promises he raised during the campaign, Singh highlighed Grassy Narrows First Nation as an example of the work the federal government still must do on Indigenous issues.