I wove through the packed crowd at the Polish Hall on 127th Avenue last Sunday, notebook in hand, searching for a spot with a clear view. The energy was unmistakable – a mix of nervous anticipation and genuine enthusiasm as over 400 supporters awaited Jagmeet Singh’s arrival for his second Edmonton campaign stop of the 2024 election season.
“I’ve been waiting since 2 o’clock,” whispered Maria Gonzalez, a university student standing next to me. “This is my first time seeing him in person.” Around us, a diverse group of Edmontonians clutched orange signs and chatted excitedly about dental care and housing affordability.
The federal NDP leader’s visit to our city comes at a critical juncture in the campaign. With polls showing tightening races across the country, Singh’s message to Edmontonians was clear and pointed – the Liberals have failed to deliver on promises that matter most to working families.
When Singh finally took the stage around 4:30 PM, the crowd erupted. Dressed in his signature tailored suit with a bright orange turban, he wasted no time addressing key issues resonating with local voters.
“Justin Trudeau has had nine years to make life more affordable for Canadians,” Singh told the energetic crowd. “Instead, we’ve seen housing costs skyrocket while big corporations rake in record profits.”
The Edmonton rally focused primarily on three pillars: healthcare expansion, housing affordability, and economic inequality – issues that campaign volunteer Darren Mills says are “hitting Edmonton families particularly hard right now.”
Healthcare took center stage in Singh’s address, with particular emphasis on the NDP’s dental care program. Kathy Williams, a dental hygienist from south Edmonton who attended the rally, expressed her support for the initiative.
“I see patients every day who can’t afford basic dental care,” Williams told me after the speech. “The expansion Singh is proposing would make a real difference for Edmonton families who are currently choosing between fixing their teeth and paying their rising utility bills.”
According to data from Statistics Canada, nearly one-third of Canadians avoid dental visits due to cost concerns, a statistic Singh referenced while criticizing the Liberal government’s implementation pace of dental care coverage.
The rally also highlighted housing challenges facing our city. Edmonton’s rental market has seen significant increases, with the average one-bedroom apartment now costing about $1,150 monthly – up nearly 15% from last year according to Rentals.ca.
“When I talk to people across Edmonton, they tell me they’re working harder than ever but can’t afford a decent place to live,” Singh said, prompting nods throughout the crowd. He promised an NDP government would build 500,000 affordable housing units nationwide, with a significant portion allocated to cities like Edmonton facing rapid cost increases.
Climate policy also featured prominently, with Singh walking a careful line between environmental action and supporting Alberta’s energy workers.
“We don’t have to choose between good jobs and fighting climate change,” he said to mixed reactions from the audience. “We need a just transition that supports Alberta workers while building a sustainable future.”
Local NDP candidate Emma Roberts, running in Edmonton Centre, joined Singh on stage and emphasized the importance of bringing Edmonton’s unique economic concerns to Ottawa.
“Our city deserves representatives who understand the balance between resource development and climate responsibility,” Roberts said. “We can’t afford four more years of Liberal policies that ignore Alberta’s reality.”
The crowd’s enthusiasm peaked when Singh directly challenged Prime Minister Trudeau’s record on pharmaceutical coverage, an issue particularly relevant to Edmonton seniors like Richard Tam, who I spoke with after the event.
“I spend over $400 monthly on prescriptions,” said Tam, 72. “Singh’s pharmacare plan would completely change my financial situation. I’m tired of hearing promises from the Liberals without seeing results.”
