Canada’s Democratic Left Inches Ahead

Last year, Canada’s New Democratic Party (NDP) celebrated its twenty-fifth birthday. Given the odds against democratic socialist parties in the North American climate, the NDP’s survival is no mean feat.

The NDP is not a splinter. Although most Canadians still prefer the Liberals or the Progressive Conservatives (known locally as the Tories), the NDP can count on backing from about one voter in five. New Democrats form the government in the province of Manitoba and the nort...