NDP leadership candidate McPherson stands by 'purity test' remarks after criticism from fellow MP

OTTAWA — NDP leadership candidate Heather McPherson isn’t backing down from her claim that supporters of the party shouldn’t have to pass an ideological “purity test,” after a fellow NDP MP said she was “appalled” by her use of the term.

“Listen, the idea of opening up our table, and making us a party that welcomes more people in, is the exact point of that,” McPherson told National Post in an interview on Wednesday.

McPherson said at her Edmonton campaign launch on Sunday that the NDP needed to get back to its founding ideal of helping all Canadians to move forward.

“We need to stop shrinking into some sort of purity test, we need to stop pushing people away and we need to invite people in,” said McPherson.

But Winnipeg NDP MP Leah Gazan said that McPherson’s use of the term “purity test” was a not too subtle cue for party activists from equity seeking groups to quiet down.

“When I hear a leadership candidate suggest that you have to pass a ‘purity test’ to fit into the NDP, I am appalled and deeply disappointed. That framing is frequently used to dismiss calls for justice from marginalized communities — especially Black, Indigenous, racialized, 2SLGBTQ+, disabled, and immigrant workers — who now make up a major part of the labour movement and the working class,” wrote Gazan, in a lengthy social media post on Monday evening.

Gazan, who is of mixed Lakota, Chinese and Jewish ancestry, called McPherson’s rhetoric a tacit “ justification for white supremacy” that “centres the comfort” of “white, male, and able-bodied workers” over social justice. 

“Rejecting so-called ‘purity tests’ isn’t about broadening the movement — it’s about narrowing it back to those who have always held power within it,” wrote Gazan.

McPherson, an Edmonton MP, said she doesn’t see any contradiction between growing the party’s appeal and fighting for marginalized groups.

“I honestly believe the vast majority of Canadians share (our) values of making sure everyone in our community, particularly those who are most vulnerable, are protected and taken care of,” said McPherson.

She added that the party needed to do a better job of balancing heart and head, and be more strategic in engaging potential supporters.

“I love being a New Democrat, and I love that New Democrats want to fix all things, but we need to be disciplined in our messaging. We need to talk to Canadians where they are,” said McPherson.

“And for the vast majority of Canadians right now, they’re deeply worried about (keeping) their job.”

McPherson didn’t give a specific example of a “purity test” she felt was holding the NDP back. She also didn’t say whether she’d spoken to Gazan about the social media post criticizing her use of the term.

McPherson did say that her record on human rights spoke for itself.

“I’ve been fighting for human rights my entire life … and I will never stop doing that work,” said McPherson.

McPherson was the sponsor of a successful March 2024 motion calling on the federal government to demand an immediate ceasefire to the Israel-Hamas conflict in Gaza, cease the further transfer of arms to Israel and work toward the eventual recognition of a Palestinian state.

She’s one of three NDP leadership candidates who’ve been approved so far, alongside filmmaker Avi Lewis and labour union leader Rob Ashton.

Gazan has yet to say whether she’ll be entering the fray.

McPherson and Gazan were two of just seven NDP MPs to hold on to their seats after a disastrous showing in the recent federal election.

The NDP next leader will be named in Winnipeg as part of the party’s national convention on March 29, 2026.

National Post
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