Yves Engler’s wife seeks NDP leadership spot

Bianca Mugyenyi has applied to enter the federal New Democratic Party leadership race after the party barred her husband, activist and author Yves Engler, from running.

Source: X

Bianca Mugyenyi has applied to enter the federal New Democratic Party leadership race after the party barred her husband, activist and author Yves Engler, from running.

Mugyenyi said she submitted her application last week, just ahead of the deadline, and plans to campaign on the same socialist platform advanced by her husband. She said she would step aside if the party reverses its decision to reject Engler’s candidacy.

The NDP’s leadership contest will be decided at the party’s convention in March. Don Davies has served as interim leader since May 2025, following Jagmeet Singh’s resignation after the April federal election.

In an interview, Mugyenyi said she wants party members to consider the policy ideas developed through her husband’s campaign, including cuts to Canada’s defence budget and the nationalization of the energy sector, with oil, gas, and hydroelectric power operated by a publicly owned authority.

Mugyenyi previously led a left-wing foreign policy think tank and helped co-ordinate Engler’s leadership bid. She described herself as an eco-socialist and said her priorities include tackling climate change and ending oil sands production in Alberta, which she called a major source of greenhouse gas emissions.

She also said foreign policy would be a central focus of her campaign, including criticism of Israel’s war in Gaza.

Engler said donors contributed about $110,000 to his campaign before his application was rejected.

Candidates must pay $100,000 to participate in the leadership race, with the final $25,000 instalment due by the end of January to appear on the ballot. Approved candidates are also granted access to the party’s membership list for fundraising and outreach.

The NDP has said it was concerned that Engler raised money for his leadership campaign before formally submitting his application. Party spokesperson Aaron Zerfas said Monday that the NDP continues to require all contestants to follow leadership rules and for all donations to be processed through the party.

The party’s vetting committee cited multiple concerns in rejecting Engler’s application.

In a confidential email reported by the Globe and Mail, it was alleged that Engler echoed “Russian state propaganda” regarding the war in Ukraine and NATO, and accused him of intimidating party members and staff and confronting elected officials in disruptive ways.

Engler has denied those allegations, saying he has repeatedly condemned Russia’s invasion of Ukraine as illegal and brutal and rejecting claims that he harassed or intimidated anyone.

Mugyenyi said she brings a different leadership style.

“I would say that Yves is more sort of direct and confrontational,” she said. “And my style is very much an organizer, a facilitator, bringing people together.”

Born in Uganda, Mugyenyi came to Canada as a child and later returned to Uganda, where her mother, Mary Mugyenyi, serves as a representative in the East African legislative assembly. Her late father, Joshua Mugyenyi, was a former executive director of the Bank of Uganda.

The NDP has not yet said whether Mugyenyi’s application has been approved.