Surrounded by hundreds of cheering supporters, Ontario NDP deputy leader Jagmeet Singh announced Monday evening his bid to replace Thomas Mulcair as the party’s leader in Ottawa — a quest that could make him the first person who is not white to helm a major federal party.

A rising star in the Ontario NDP legislature, Singh launched his campaign at the Bombay Palace banquet hall in Brampton, in front of supporters carrying orange signs bearing the slogan “With Love & Courage.”

“People are hungry for new leadership in our country,” Singh said from a stage set up in the middle of the hall. “They are hungry for new leadership in our party. . . . That is what drives me to be your new leader; that is what drives me to be your prime minister.”

During his speech, delivered in English and French, Singh emphasized his goals of fighting inequality and bringing all Canadians together. He criticized Prime Minister Justin Trudeau for what he called inaction on climate change, electoral reform and the welfare of First Nations children. He was also critical of the Conservative leadership candidates, accusing them of “literally tripping over each other” to drive a wedge between Canadians.

“We must champion a politics of love to fight the politics of hate,” Singh said, adding that he would not allow the “politics of fear and division” fanned by right-wing parties in Europe to reach Canada.

Other issues he touched upon included LGBTQ rights, health care, the importance of multiculturalism and inclusion and, repeatedly, how French and Quebec had been alienated and treated as an afterthought for too long.

Singh, who will not be giving up his seat as MPP for Bramalea-Gore-Malton during the campaign, said he will be unveiling a “comprehensive platform” in the coming months.

At Queen’s Park earlier Monday, Ontario NDP Leader Andrea Horwath credited Singh with helping to broaden the NDP base.

“Jagmeet’s been an excellent member of our team. He’s certainly done a lot of hard work to engage young people with our party,” Horwath said.

“There’s no doubt that the position of deputy leader is one that has helped Jagmeet, but it’s also helped the NDP and so it was a mutual relationship, it still is a mutual relationship,” Horwath said.

She said she and Singh had had “many conversations” about his future but would remain neutral in the leadership race.

Speakers who threw their support behind Singh on Monday included Rob Fleming and Nahanni Fontaine, members of legislature for British Columbia and Manitoba, respectively; Algoma-Manitoulin MPP Michael Mantha, Kitchener-Waterloo MPP Catherine Fife, Toronto District School Board vice-chair Chris Moise, NDP Youth of Canada co-chair Ali Chatur, former MP Mylène Freeman, former Jack Layton speechwriter Willy Blomme and Peel school board trustee Harkirat Singh.

Should he be successful, Singh, who is Sikh, would break through a long-standing barrier at the federal level, one that really ought have been shattered long ago, said Karl Belanger, Mulcair’s former principal secretary.

“Having somebody from a different ethnic background than what we have seen over the past 150 years is something that needs to be applauded,” Belanger said.

The NDP has had trouble connecting with ethnic minorities both in Ontario and at the federal level, said Queen’s University labour and history professor Christo Aivalis.

Singh’s leadership would send a strong signal to the party and to the Canadian public, Aivalis said.

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

“While some people fear that his turban, his name, his skin colour . . . could hurt him in certain parts of Canada, others say that in big cities where the majority of seats are, he speaks to a new Canada,” Aivalis said.

Born in Scarborough to Punjabi parents, Singh’s upbringing included stints in St. John’s, N.L., and Windsor, Ont.; he worked as a criminal defence attorney before making the jump to politics in 2011.

He’s also known as a fashion plate — he has graced multiple best-dressed and style-icon lists in the Toronto area over the years — and for his prowess as a mixed martial arts fighter.

The other official NDP leadership contenders are B.C. MP Peter Julian, Ontario MP Charlie Angus, Manitoba MP Niki Ashton and Quebec MP Guy Caron.

Former veterans ombudsman Pat Stogran and Ibrahim Bruno El-Khoury, founder of a Montreal consulting firm, are also running, but are not yet considered official because they haven’t submitted nomination paperwork or paid the fee.

Voting is scheduled to take place in October.

The next leadership debate is scheduled for Sudbury on May 28.

Note – May 17, 2017: This article was edited from a previous version.

With files from The Canadian Press and Rob Ferguson

Read more about: