Unwrapping Canadian Politics: PAA’s Holiday Wish Lists for Federal Leaders
The holiday season is a time for traditions, reflection and spirited debate about whether last year’s resolutions made it past January. In the spirit of giving, the PAA team has turned its attention to the federal party leaders and the gifts that might help them through the year ahead. Some are practical, some are symbolic, and all are chosen with equal parts insight and humour.
All week we will be sharing a curated wish list for each leader. Think of it as a light seasonal break from policy briefs and committee reports – and a reminder that even in politics, everyone deserves something wrapped with care.
Day One: A Holiday Wish List for Don Davies and the NDP
First up in the four-part series is interim NDP leader Don Davies. From symbolic picks to practical upgrades, our wish list imagines what might help start the new year on stronger footing.
Wish List:
🎁 The Official Party Status Playset
A boxed set containing the five extra seats needed to finally reach official party status. Just open the box and suddenly enjoy research budgets, staff resources, and Question Period slots like a recognized caucus again.
The 2025 federal election was hard on New Democrats, with the vote share dropping to a level not seen since the party’s founding. The caucus is also five seats short of official status – and the resources that come with it. Even so, the NDP still holds the balance of power in what has already been a turbulent minority parliament.
🎁 The Orange Piggy Bank
A sturdy orange piggy bank paired with a small hammer. Crack it open to collect whatever is inside and put it toward paying down the 2025 election debt.
Speculation about party finances has ranged from dramatic to absurd, including rumours of debt levels near twenty million. The real number is closer to where the party stood after 2021, though the repayment runway may be tighter. Fundraising is now an urgent priority.
🎁 The Progressive Ideas Recycling Bin
Perfect for collecting all the progressive policies the Liberals tossed aside this year. Big enough for pharmacare, feminist foreign policy, workers’ right to strike, and anything else they quietly dropped on the curb. Conveniently comes in NDP orange.
One faint upside for New Democrats is the shift by the “new” Liberal government away from several progressive files. Whether the NDP can capitalize on this and reassert itself as the champion of progress remains to be seen.
🎁 The 2026 Leadership Countdown Clock
A clock ticking down to the March convention – useful for reminding Don Davies that, soon enough, this will be someone else’s problem. New Democrats will choose a new leader in March 2026. Whoever wins inherits a divided party, a restless caucus, and the possibility of another election far sooner than anyone would like. The one person who will not have to deal with that is Interim Leader Don Davies, which may be the only perk of the job.
🎁 The French Lessons Workbook
Inspired by the leadership debate where every candidate gave French their absolute best shot. Complete with exercises for adults in federal politics who have realized bilingualism is not optional.
The debate in Montreal was a reminder that the party that once held a majority of Quebec seats now struggles to field francophone able contenders. If the NDP wants to rebuild credibility in Quebec, it will take more than optimism – and a lot of homework.
🎁 The Caucus Friendship Bracelet Kit
One bracelet for each of the seven NDP MPs, all spelling “solidarity.” A small peace offering for a caucus that could use a bit more of it in 2026.
Even with a tiny caucus, divisions run deep. The choice of interim leader was contested, strategic direction remains unsettled, and the loss of party status has made tensions harder to ignore. If the NDP wants to move forward, some real mending is required.
Whether these gifts materialize off the wish list is as good a guess as any. But the priorities are clear: more seats, steadier finances, and a caucus that works together. If the party can make headway on even one of those, 2026 might finally feel less like a group project where nobody agrees on the assignment.