The leader of the NDP, Jagmeet Singh, revealed on Saturday that he contemplated resigning after receiving information about a serious threat to his life in December 2023.
Singh disclosed this information to journalists during a campaign event in London, Ontario, as he pushes to secure his political position ahead of Monday’s final vote.
He mentioned that the RCMP alerted him to the threat and placed him and his family under significant police protection in late 2023 and early 2024. The thought of the implications for his family made him feel uneasy.
“When I received that threat, I was shocked,” Singh expressed. “Realizing that I was a target of an actual threat to my life sent chills down my spine.”
At that moment, his wife, Gurkiran Kaur Sidhu, was expecting their second daughter, while their first daughter was nearly two years old.
NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh arrives with his wife Gurkiran Kaur Sidhu for the English-language federal election debate in Montreal on April 17, 2025.
Chris Young / The Canadian Press
“For the first few days, I largely stayed in the basement as they advised me to keep away from windows,” he recounted. “It was a really serious situation.”
Singh shared that he had challenging discussions with his wife regarding whether he should step down, acknowledging that the threats were tied to his role as “a prominent elected official.”
Eventually, Singh chose to remain at the helm because he had important goals to achieve, such as finalizing the national dental care initiative that his party advocated for with the Liberals.
He noted that while the RCMP didn’t specify the source of the threats, the implication was that they came from a foreign government.
Singh was among several MPs and cabinet ministers who received RCMP protection in recent times. Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly has required continuous protection for over a year.
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Former emergency preparedness minister Harjit Sajjan also had RCMP protection for several months in 2023 and 2024, as did Conservative Deputy Leader Melissa Lantsman.
None of the individuals, including Singh, discussed the threats openly, although the increase in their security corresponded with growing threats in Canada following the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7 and the subsequent conflict in Gaza, as well as accusations against Indian state agents regarding the murder of a Canadian Sikh leader.
Although Singh was asked about the security detail at the time, he refrained from discussing it. His spokesperson indicated to The Canadian Press in 2024 that the party was adhering to “the recommendations provided to us.”
Singh decided to speak out now after interacting with many people on the campaign trail who have expressed their concerns about foreign interference and personal threats.
“Throughout this campaign, numerous personal stories have emerged, reflecting how ordinary individuals can be targeted. These discussions with various community groups revealed similar challenges repeatedly,” Singh noted. “I felt it was essential to share this.”
After much urging, it was pointed out that this might bring attention to the seriousness and risks of foreign interference for individuals.
On September 19, 2023, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau addressed the House of Commons, accusing the Indian government of being involved in the murder of Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, who was shot dead while in his truck outside a gurdwara in Surrey, B.C., on June 18, 2023.
Nijjar was a prominent figure in organizing unofficial referendums aiming for an independent Sikh state in India and was labeled a terrorist by the Indian government.
Three Indian nationals, all in their twenties, have been charged with first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit murder.
During a visit to a gurdwara in Saskatoon on April 9, Singh faced several inquiries regarding foreign interference.
“Previously, I was hesitant about addressing this issue, but I realized this could be a chance to use my platform to emphasize how critical this matter is,” Singh remarked.
Permanent security is allocated for the Prime Minister and the Governor General, while other political leaders, ministers, and MPs can access it when necessary. The expenses for protecting MPs, excluding the Prime Minister, have significantly increased over the past few years.
Pat McDonell, the sergeant-at-arms in the House of Commons, informed a House committee in May 2024 that instances of harassment against MPs have surged by as much as 800% in five years. He noted that most incidents occur online, although some take place in person.
Singh made this disclosure with two days remaining in the federal election campaign. His party is lagging in most polls and faces the possibility of losing its official status after the upcoming vote on Monday.
© 2025 The Canadian Press
