Jagmeet Singh



Jagmeet (pronounced Jug - meet) Singh was born January 2, 1979. He became leader of Canada’s NDP October 1, 2017. How he got from a one bedroom apartment in Scarborough to Queen’s Park and then the Canadian Legislature is a story worth noting. You can read a brief outline at ndp.ca/jagmeet or you can take a deep dive in his autobiography Love and Courage. Either one you choose, it’s worth thinking about a man that in 2017 accepted and welcomed a heckler who strode on stage and accused him of supporting sharia law. The woman, by her tone and demeanor was obviously a rabble rouser trying to agitate Jagmeet without interest in an answer. Jagmeet’s response drew attention worldwide for his patience and understanding. That moment really drove home the catchphrase that defines the NDP today, Love and Courage.

It’s 2021. I can’t believe it. The world seems more polarized than ever. If you criticize the state of Israel you are automatically “anti semitic”? If you are pro life you are automatically a gun wielding government conspiracy seeking anarchist. If you go to an anti-logging protest you are automatically a drug using hippie socialist. The fact is most of us are none of these things. We’re average people leading average lives with middle of the road values and sensibilities. We seek out the small pleasures that give our lives meaning. Very few people define themselves as crusaders for a cause. We are all human. That’s what Jagmeet means by “love and courage”. We need to stop, listen and try to understand another’s point of view. We may not agree with it but we need to respect it and understand that the speaker is one among us.

That’s not easy. It is in fact very hard to sit across the table from someone expressing a disagreeable point of view and just listen and respect that it is what they believe. I support Jagmeet Singh because he is able to do this. I believe his ability to listen, to try to understand is a trait we must demand from our prime minister.

We were very excited to learn that the Milton Public Library has chosen Jagmeet’s book, Love and Courage as this year’s One Book, One Milton event in October. MPL has the book in paper and e-book format. We hope that you will grab a copy and read about the hurdles and the hurts that helped to shape the man as we know him today. Unfortunately the event will be virtual this year. Love and courage.

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