Mulcair stresses unity after winning NDP leadership

TORONTO, Ont. – Thomas Mulcair has won the leadership of the federal New Democrats replacing the late Jack Layton and becoming the leader of the the official opposition.

Speaking to his supporters on Sunday as the newly minted leader, Mulcair spoke of his goals for the NDP party.

“One of the elements that we’re going to have to work on is to make sure that people realize that the NDP is formed by a team of women and men capable of providing good, competent public administration,” Mulcair said.”Most Canadians do in fact share the ideas, the goals, the vision of the NDP, what we have to do is reach out.”

“We’re together, united, prepared to face our only adversary, Stephen Harper’s Conservatives,” Mulcair said as onlookers cheered.

Mulcair had 57.2 per cent of the ballot in the final round of voting, beating out the final remaining candidate, Brian Topp, who finished second with 42.8 per cent.

The results came after four lengthy rounds of voting that were plagued by delays and technical glitches, at least partly due an attempted cyber-attack on the party’s electronic voting system.

The crowd of supporters surrounding Mulcair erupted in cheers after the results were announced.

In his first speech as leader, Mulcair said it’s time the party took the next step.

“The challenge that confronts us is not a failure of ability or talent, it is a failure of leadership, and that is a failure we intend to reverse,” Mulcair said.

Mulcair vowed to continue Jack Layton’s legacy by showing Canadians they could vote for change and actually get it. Unity was a key theme in his speech as well, as Mulcair brought Topp onto the stage with him and raised his hand in the air.

Peggy Nash was eliminated from the race after the second ballot while Nathan Cullen was eliminated after the third, leaving the final ballot as a two-way race between Mulcair and Topp.

After the first ballot, Ottawa MP Paul Dewar dropped out of the race immediately after learning of his fifth-place finish. Last-place finisher Niki Ashton was automatically eliminated while Martin Singh, who finished sixth, also dropped out and threw his support behind Mulcair.

Prime Minister Stephen Harper, who is in Asia meeting various leaders, took time to congratulate Mulcair on the victory and said he looked forward to interacting with him in Parliament.

Parliament Hill reporter Cormac MacSweeney spent nearly 15 hours covering the NDP leadership race live. You can review his updates below:

The leadership convention, hosted at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre in Toronto, saw thousands of delegates, media members and NDP supporters gathered in Toronto.

Mulcair replaces the late Layton as leader of the federal NDP and as a result will lead the Official Opposition to Prime Minister Stephen Harper.

A touching tribute to Layton took place Friday evening as New Democrats began casting their ballots.

The night was filled with music, touching messages and even clips to show how Jack could take a joke on national television but his family moved everyone to tears.

His daughter Sarah said the late NDP leader just never gave up.

“He’d end every visit and every phone call with I love you see you tomorrow. Every one, even the last phone call,” she said.

Jack’s widow Olivia Chow brought the crowd to its feet, giving them a message that New Democrats need to move forward.

“All of you are the Layton legacy. Strong, united, looking forward,” said Chow.

It was also announced that the NDP national headquarters in Ottawa would be known as the Jack Layton Building.

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