New Democrat leader Jagmeet Singh said Tuesday his party has not encountered any reason to disqualify candidates, including one who shared antisemitic conspiracy theories on social media.
Blacklock's Reporter says the party has refused to answer multiple inquiries about the candidate, who alleged that Jews control the Canadian government.
“We will make the best decision for our country, for our democracy,” Singh told reporters.
When asked whether the NDP had dropped any candidates, Singh responded, “So far we have not had any circumstances.”
Singh said candidates who make “clearly wrong” statements should be removed but has not commented on first-time New Democrat candidate Ehab Mustapha, running in Mississauga-Erin Mills, Ont.
Mustapha previously claimed in an Instagram post that Jewish organizations manipulate government policy.
“Liberals aren’t working for us, they’re working for lobbyists,” wrote Mustapha.
“Most Canadians don’t support Zionism, yet our leaders keep pushing this narrative. Why? Because groups like the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs have been influencing policy behind closed doors. It’s time to take back our democracy.”
Mustapha alleged that Jewish groups were “influencing decisions at the highest level” and described Zionism as a pursuit of power.
An insurance analyst, Mustapha has also promoted his membership in Palestine House, a Mississauga-based organization that retweeted anti-Semitic posts.
One post labeled Hamas’ 2023 attack in Israel — which left eight Canadians dead — a “resistance operation.” Another retweet referred to Jews as “demon-possessed psychopaths.”
The NDP’s official policy prohibits antisemitism. Singh, who previously marked Jewish Heritage Month in 2024 by condemning anti-Jewish bigotry, has praised Jewish Canadians’ contributions to the country.
“Celebrate the important role that Jewish Canadians have played and continue to play in communities across Canada,” Singh said at the time.
He acknowledged Canada’s history of antisemitism and emphasized the need to confront it.
“We must not take our inclusive and open country for granted,” said Singh. “We must commit to rooting out antisemitism wherever it occurs, especially now as antisemitism grows at a concerning pace in our country.”
