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Quebecers are not used to being asked to vote for politicians who look like Jagmeet Singh. He wears colourful turbans and has a long, dark beard, symbols of his Sikh faith. And he is a serious contender for the leadership of the federal New Democratic Party.

Some Quebec New Democrats are concerned that if Singh wins the leadership, voters in this province will reject their party. Considering the evidence, including their own recent experience, that concern is understandable.

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Last week, Le Devoir reported “the fear of several Quebecers” in the NDP that electors in their province would not vote for “an aspiring prime minister who displays his religious convictions so conspicuously.”

The newspaper followed up this week, quoting an unidentified source as saying that some New Democratic members of Parliament from Quebec are considering not running again if Singh becomes leader, because they fear that they would be defeated.