'Nonbinary' chair of NDP convention halts conference after being called 'madam'

The 2026 New Democratic Party (NDP) leadership convention in Canada featured a series of tense and awkward moments over the weekend, including disputes over American politics and points of privilege. 

Held from March 27 to 29 in Winnipeg, the convention brought together party members to select the next federal leader. But several incidents during the gathering drew attention and, at times, disrupted proceedings.

In one instance, a young woman attending the conference while wearing a keffiyeh addressed the chair and raised concerns about the ongoing Iran conflict. She referenced reports of potential American troop involvement and said, “Canada cannot and will not be part of the legacy of blood that was built in Iraq, in Palestine, and now in Iran,” urging this to be a question at the convention.

After speaking, however, she thanked the chair by saying “madam,” prompting a response from Adrienne Smith, who was presiding over the session. Smith temporarily stopped the exchange to remind delegates not to use that term, stating she identifies as a nonbinary individual. Smith then clarified that while the delegate had spoken to the resolution, she was not permitted to call the question at that time under the rules of the convention.

In another awkward moment, Smith addressed concerns raised under what delegates refer to as a “point of personal privilege.” Within the NDP, equity cards are used as part of internal procedures to prioritize participation from individuals who are part of underrepresented groups. 

The system, however, created added confusion, including one transgender-identifying attendee complaining that a cisgender woman had spoken over him and asked whether the party could adopt a broader interpretation of the equity cards. He also said that it is frustrating because his rights are “directly under attack right now” in Alberta.

The convention saw the victory of Avi Lewis in the first ballot, with Lewis winning 56 percent of the vote. Lewis will now oversee the party that has just six MPs and is roughly $13 million in debt, according to the CBC.