NDP continues to rise

QMI Agency:

Indeed, recent polls show the NDP tied for second with the Liberals among Quebec voters behind the Bloc. And among Francophone voters, the NDP is clear leader among federalist parties. Among Bloc supporters, the NDP is also the preferred second choice by a wide margin.

"We're expecting all political parties to be coming after us with full force, and we relish the fight," Lavigne said. "At the same time, we're going to be going on the offence. We have growth everywhere, in urban, suburban, and rural Canada in each region of the country."

Since Layton took over, the NDP has grown from 13 seats in 2003 to 36 seats now and has increased in popular vote support from 16% to 18%.

That kind of incremental growth, Layton said, is starting to reap rewards across the country in ridings where New Democrats never stood a chance, like NDP MP Linda Duncan's win in Edmonton in 2008.

"It's a building process, sure. I don't expect it to happen with the snap of the finger. This isn't some kind of a dream we have. It's a very practical thing," Layton said, adding the party's efforts — though not always 100% successful — to avoid the toxic partisan finger-pointing has helped. "I think, more and more, people are opening their doors to the idea of supporting New Democrats and the way that we try to do things.

"I think it's why we're seeing people turn to us. People are opening the door even if they never voted for us before, are saying now they might," he added. "Look at what's happening in Quebec. It's remarkable."

Only a few years ago, the NDP polled below 2% in Quebec.

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