1978 Ontario New Democratic Party leadership election
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February 5, 1978
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| Date | February 5, 1978 |
|---|---|
| Convention | Sheraton Centre Toronto, Ontario |
| Resigning leader | Stephen Lewis |
| Won by | Michael Cassidy |
| Ballots | 2 |
| Candidates | 3 |
The 1978 Ontario New Democratic Party leadership election was held in Toronto, Ontario, on February 5, 1978, to elect a successor to Stephen Lewis as leader of the Ontario New Democratic Party (NDP). The convention was necessary because Lewis resigned after the party performed poorly in the 1977 Ontario provincial election, where they had dropped to third place in the Legislative Assembly of Ontario. Michael Cassidy won on the second ballot, defeating Ian Deans.
In the lead-up to the leadership election, Ian Deans was perceived as the frontrunner. He enjoyed the most support from the Ontario New Democratic caucus, and had a commanding lead in an unofficial poll of delegates taken just days before the vote.[1][2]
Michael Breaugh had less support from New Democratic politicians than Deans, but enjoyed the support of then federal New Democratic Party leader Ed Broadbent.[3]
Cassidy was generally considered the most left-wing candidate. His policy advisor in the leadership campaign was James Laxer, a former leader of The Waffle, a faction which had separated from the New Democratic Party in 1974.
Cassidy's victory was seen as an upset, and marked an ideological shift to the left for the party. Deans later attributed his defeat to weak support from labour unions.[4]