Only woman in NDP race says her run is about more than her gender

Representation matters in politics but far more is required, she added, noting that building a movement involves a feminist agenda that upholds the goals of justice and equality.

“Men need to be part of this, so I am certainly looking forward to challenging anybody that may think I am doing this only because of my gender,” she said.

Ashton also took a clear stance against pipeline projects, including Energy East, and said there is a need to build a “carbon-free economy” — one of the key themes of the so-called “Leap Manifesto” that become divisive during the party’s last convention in Edmonton and caused an uproar among Alberta’s provincial NDP.

Ashton supported a motion on the floor at the convention that called for riding associations to explore the manifesto’s ideas.

“I certainly agree with the principles in the document,” she said. “I also think it is up to us in the NDP to work with that, to do the work as part of this leadership race, to build a vision that reflects many Canadians’ pursuit for justice; whether it is social, economic or environmental justice.”

Ashton said she looks forward to collaborating with those in favour of the manifesto and those who did not support it, adding everyone recognizes the threat of climate change and the need to work together.

“We’re all part of this party,” she said.

Five years ago, Ashton ran in the race to succeed the late Jack Layton — a competition that led to Tom Mulcair’s leadership, which was flatly rejected by party members at the convention last April.

“I would say certainly over the last five years, since I last ran in the leadership, inequality has only grown,” Ashton said. “My generation is only facing greater intergenerational injustice.”

Tackling economic, social and environmental issues require a progressive vision, she added, noting she believes her party struggled in the last federal election campaign because it failed to offer an inspiring vision.

The campaign to replace Mulcair runs until October and currently has three other contenders: B.C.’s Peter Julian, Ontario’s Charlie Angus and Quebec’s Guy Caron.

The candidates are set to debate each other for the first time in Ottawa on Sunday.

Ontario deputy NDP leader Jagmeet Singh is still eyeing a possible leadership bid, but his office says he is not planning to make his plans known this week — suggesting he likely won’t take part in the debate.

Some of the central challenges for the party include the need to confront a $5.8 million debt and to boost the number of card-carrying supporters, which was down to 60,000 as of December.

—Follow @kkirkup on Twitter

Kristy Kirkup, The Canadian Press

by Canadian Press

Only woman in NDP race says her run is about more than her gender

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