Share this Story : National Post Copy Link Email X Reddit Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr

Amy Hamm: How NDP's equity cards turned the convention into a circus

Not content with only gender equity cards, delegates developed a free range system for all 'equity seeking groups'

You can save this article by registering for free here. Or sign-in if you have an account.

Canada’s New Democratic Party (NDP) held a convention and elected their new leader, Avi Lewis, over three days last weekend. The convention made the NDP famous — perhaps “infamous” is more like it — and drew the attention of pundits from across the world.

Enjoy the latest local, national and international news.

Exclusive articles by Conrad Black, Barbara Kay and others. Plus, special edition NP Platformed and First Reading newsletters and virtual events.

Unlimited online access to National Post.

National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.

Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword.

Support local journalism.

Enjoy the latest local, national and international news.

Exclusive articles by Conrad Black, Barbara Kay and others. Plus, special edition NP Platformed and First Reading newsletters and virtual events.

Unlimited online access to National Post.

National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.

Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword.

Support local journalism.

Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.

Access articles from across Canada with one account.

Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments.

Enjoy additional articles per month.

Get email updates from your favourite authors.

Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.

Access articles from across Canada with one account

Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments

Enjoy additional articles per month

Get email updates from your favourite authors

Sign In or Create an Account

All of this happened at a time when the party is in its death throes: it has lost its official status in Canada’s House of Commons, and has a measly six elected members of Parliament.

Amy Hamm: How NDP's equity cards turned the convention into a circus Back to video

How did the NDP achieve international fame so suddenly? In short: equity cards and the party’s self-devouring enthusiasm for the politics of oppression.

This newsletter from NP Comment tackles the topics you care about. (Subscriber-exclusive edition on Fridays)

There was an error, please provide a valid email address.

By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc.

A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder.

The next issue of Platformed will soon be in your inbox.

We encountered an issue signing you up. Please try again

Interested in more newsletters? Browse here.

The party’s equity-card system initially allowed for conference delegates who self-identified as anything other than a “cis man” (i.e. a biological man) to jump to the head of the microphone queue and gain speaking priority during policy debate sessions. The neon yellow cards caused near-immediate problems, however, and viral video clips of delegates bickering over the card system began flooding social media algorithms on day two of the convention.

Lawyer Adrienne Smith, convention chair, opened the event on day one by sharing an email address, respect@ndp.ca, where conference attendees were told to immediately file a report if they felt they were the victims of discrimination or harassment on the basis of any protected characteristics, such as their gender identity. Smith stated that an “anti-harassment officer” would “follow up directly to provide support.”

“We have a collective responsibility to make sure that all of our party activities are safe,” said Smith. These words seemed to set the tone of the conference as one of a war between oppressed groups each wanting to claim that they’d been wronged or discriminated against in some way. It encouraged delegates to view others suspiciously, as strangers who might be covert bigots that could cause them harm. It certainly worked.

“I’ll signal also this yellow card, which is available at all of the microphones,” Smith said on day one. “This is a way for a delegate to signal to the chair that they have a gender identity other than ‘man.’ And this allows you to exercise priority in the speaking order. We will come to you earlier,” said Smith.

Geoff Russ: Don't underestimate the appeal of Avi Lewis's Third Worldism

Kelly McParland: Avi Lewis lights NDP's flame of revolution

Advertisement 1Story continues belowThis advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.document.addEventListener(`DOMContentLoaded`,function(){let template=document.getElementById(`oop-ad-template`);if(template&&!template.dataset.adInjected){let clone=template.content.cloneNode(!0);template.replaceWith(clone),template.parentElement&&(template.parentElement.dataset.adInjected=`true`)}});

Less than two hours into the day, party members could be seen on camera adding additional colour cards, in neon blue and pink, to the microphone stands. This apparently caused confusion among delegates, who began to use the cards to identify as members of other “equity-seeking” groups, based on race or disability, for instance.

On day two, Smith told the audience: “I want to be very clear, that at your convention, the equity card applies to gender equity. This is the decision you collectively have made. Those delegates from Ontario might remember that at the Ontario convention, we used the cards more broadly for members of all equity-seeking groups. I’d encourage you to consider that as we move along towards the future that we all deserve.”

With these words, it was open season for the NDP delegates, who began to form an evolving and makeshift equity-card system.

Canada should expect 'hostility' with U.S. trade talks less than three months away, trade analysts say News

Canada should expect 'hostility' with U.S. trade talks less than three months away, trade analysts say

'Disaster' or saviour? Avi Lewis bets it all on big-government populism Canada

'Disaster' or saviour? Avi Lewis bets it all on big-government populism

Advertisement 2Story continues belowThis advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.document.addEventListener(`DOMContentLoaded`,function(){let template=document.getElementById(`oop-ad-template`);if(template&&!template.dataset.adInjected){let clone=template.content.cloneNode(!0);template.replaceWith(clone),template.parentElement&&(template.parentElement.dataset.adInjected=`true`)}});

Subscriber only. Conrad Black: Middle East is on the brink of peace, thanks to Trump Subscriber only NP Comment

Subscriber only. Conrad Black: Middle East is on the brink of peace, thanks to Trump

'Dangerously escalating": Jewish-owned Toronto restaurant becomes 12th target of antisemitic violence Canada

'Dangerously escalating": Jewish-owned Toronto restaurant becomes 12th target of antisemitic violence

No parallel justice system for immigrants, says Quebec judge in criminal harassment case Canada

No parallel justice system for immigrants, says Quebec judge in criminal harassment case

Also on day two, two black persons, one identifying as using he/they pronouns, and the other wearing a surgical mask, approached the microphone to complain about the equity card system.

“Yesterday… after a white man spoke, someone at this mic waved their equity card only to give their speaking spot to a white man,” he said, as the audience could be heard chanting “Shame!” behind him.

He continued: “We are a party governed by processes — and not by any sort of shock doctrine!” he shouted, before noting that “tensions were high” and he hoped that everyone “remembered their values.”

The mask-wearing female beside him then spoke: “I want everyone to be mindful that these cards, for persons like myself, who identify as a black woman, have no value outside of this space. Many of us are living in the most oppressive conservative governments across this country,” said the woman.

She was then commended by Smith for making an excellent point.

More viral video clips show delegates arguing that their cards were ignored, or that a transgender-identified male should be given speaking priority over a woman because of facing additional intersecting forms of oppression. At one point, a keffiyeh wearing non-binary delegate was rebuked by Smith, who also identifies as non-binary, for using the term “madame chair.”

On the final day of the convention, a white male delegate interrupted a policy debate to suggest a resolution that would formalize alternative wording for the party’s equity-card system. “I move that the standing rules of the convention be amended to expand the equity card system beyond gender to include racialized, Indigenous, two spirit LGBTQIA delegates, and persons living with disabilities,” he said. He added that he wanted all equity-card users to explain how their invoked identity related to and was impacted by the policy proposals they jumped the queue to discuss.

The resolution passed.

There was not enough time left in the day to see how the new rule, about justifying one’s usage of an equity card based on the policy one wished to speak to, panned out. Judging by the rest of the weekend, it would only have created more anger, resentment, and viral video footage. What a shame.

This convention was surely, for many, their first look at the toxic autophagy that defines the NDP. But their antics were nothing new.

For instance, a 2025 NDP document on the rules governing the party’s leadership contest states that “a minimum of 100 signatures must be from members of equity-seeking groups, including but not limited to racialized members, Indigenous members, members of the LGBTQIA2S+ community, and persons living with disabilities.” The document also notes that “at least 50 per cent of the total required signatures must be from members who do not identify as a cis man.” (A “cis” man being a biological man.)

As we all know, 56 per cent of the New Democrat ballot went on to vote Avi Lewis, a “cis” man who has never held elected office, as their new leader.

Share this Story : National Post Copy Link Email X Reddit Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr

Postmedia is committed to maintaining a lively but civil forum for discussion. Please keep comments relevant and respectful. Comments may take up to an hour to appear on the site. You will receive an email if there is a reply to your comment, an update to a thread you follow or if a user you follow comments. Visit our Community Guidelines for more information.

Every major concert coming to Ontario in 2026 — and where to get tickets Featuring Goo Goo Dolls, Madison Beer and ROSALÍA, plus more artists touring Ontario this year 2 days ago Entertainment

Every major concert coming to Ontario in 2026 — and where to get tickets

Featuring Goo Goo Dolls, Madison Beer and ROSALÍA, plus more artists touring Ontario this year

Canadian concert tours: Hottest tickets in 2026 Summer Walker, Goo Goo Dolls and Hilary Duff are on sale now 2 days ago Deals

Canadian concert tours: Hottest tickets in 2026

Summer Walker, Goo Goo Dolls and Hilary Duff are on sale now

Best standup comedy shows in Canada near you this week Nate Bargatze, Bobby Lee and Ali Wong are on sale now 2 days ago Entertainment

Best standup comedy shows in Canada near you this week

Nate Bargatze, Bobby Lee and Ali Wong are on sale now

Advertisement 3Story continues belowThis advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.document.addEventListener(`DOMContentLoaded`,function(){let template=document.getElementById(`oop-ad-template`);if(template&&!template.dataset.adInjected){let clone=template.content.cloneNode(!0);template.replaceWith(clone),template.parentElement&&(template.parentElement.dataset.adInjected=`true`)}});

5 gemstone jewelry finds from Canadian brands Stylish gemstone pieces are an affordable option for a spring jewelry update. 2 days ago Fashion & Beauty

5 gemstone jewelry finds from Canadian brands

Stylish gemstone pieces are an affordable option for a spring jewelry update.

McDonald's finally confirms Canada launch date for viral KPop Demon Hunters meals You know together we're glowin’, gonna be, gonna be golden (arches). 2 days ago Food & Drinks

McDonald's finally confirms Canada launch date for viral KPop Demon Hunters meals

You know together we're glowin’, gonna be, gonna be golden (arches).

© National Post