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Marit Stiles

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Marit Stiles
MPP
Stiles in 2024
Leader of the Opposition in Ontario
Incumbent
Assumed office
February 4, 2023
Preceded byPeter Tabuns
Leader of the Ontario New Democratic Party
Incumbent
Assumed office
February 4, 2023
Preceded byPeter Tabuns (interim)
Member of the Ontario Provincial Parliament
for Davenport
Incumbent
Assumed office
June 7, 2018
Preceded byCristina Martins
President of the New Democratic Party
In office
April 9, 2016 – February 18, 2018
Preceded byRebecca Blaikie
Succeeded byMathieu Vick
Other roles
2018–2022Opposition Critic for Education
2014–2018TDSB Trustee for Ward 9
Personal details
Born (1969-09-20) September 20, 1969 (age 55)
St. John's, Newfoundland, Canada
Political partyOntario New Democratic
Other political
affiliations		New Democratic (federal)
SpouseJordan Berger
Children2
Residence(s)Toronto, Ontario
Alma materCarleton University (BA)
Occupation
  • Politician
  • policy researcher
WebsiteCampaign website
Constituency website

Marit Stiles MPP (/ˈmɑːrɪt/ MAR-it;[1] born September 20, 1969) is a Canadian politician who has been the leader of the Ontario New Democratic Party (NDP) and the leader of the Opposition since February 4, 2023. She has represented Davenport in the Legislative Assembly of Ontario since June 7, 2018.

Born in Newfoundland, Stiles moved to Ontario to attend university. She worked as a policy researcher before becoming research and policy director with ACTRA. Stiles served as a Toronto District School Board (TDSB) trustee in 2014 and was the president of the federal NDP from 2016 to 2018, before her election as a member of Provincial Parliament (MPP).

Early life and career

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Stiles was born on September 20,[2] 1969, in St. John's, Newfoundland, growing up in the communities of Long Pond and Logy Bay.[1] Her parents were Americans who had moved from Pennsylvania to Newfoundland in 1967 and settled on a small organic farm outside St John's, growing vegetables and raising goats, chickens, geese, rabbits and pigs.[1] Her father was an anthropology professor at Memorial University, who later became an energy conservation consultant in Canada and Africa.[1]

The name Marit is of Norwegian origin, though she does not have Norwegian ancestry. The name came from family friends who were Norwegian. She has a younger sister named Enid who is a veterinarian near Montreal.[1]

While she first attended Memorial University, in 1988 Stiles moved to Ontario to attend university there.[1] Her first political involvement was in 1990 when she canvassed for Evelyn Gigantes along with her future partner Jordan Berger, a childhood friend with whom she became reacquainted while attending university.[1] She graduated with a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in political science from Carleton University in 1992.[1][3][4]

She then worked in the office of Timmins MPP Gilles Bisson.[5][3][4] She worked for the Canadian Policy Research Networks in 1995, and as a researcher for the federal NDP's Ontario caucus from 1998 to 2004. Stiles went to work for the Alliance of Canadian Cinema, Television and Radio Artists (ACTRA) in 2005, where she was the director of research, public policy and communications.[4][6][7]

Political career

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Stiles served as a trustee for the Toronto District School Board from 2014 until 2018,[8] and was the president of the federal New Democratic Party from 2016 to 2018.[4]

Member of Provincial Parliament

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Contesting Davenport for the provincial NDP in the 2018 Ontario election, Stiles ran against Liberal incumbent Cristina Martins, who faced criticism for her government's handling of the Davenport Diamond rail overpass. Stiles campaigned for the electrification of the nearby GO Transit line and ensuring all “amenities” associated with the Davenport Diamond rail bridge are completed.[9][10] She defeated Martins, becoming the riding's second NDP MPP.[10][11]

Stiles was the party's education critic from 2018 to 2022.[12]

NDP leadership

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Stiles at a rally for public healthcare in Toronto, 2024

Following the 2022 provincial election, the NDP remained in opposition and party leader Andrea Horwath stepped down. MPP Peter Tabuns became interim leader until the party could hold a leadership election in 2023. Stiles announced that she would run for NDP leader on September 22, 2022.[13] During her campaign, she received endorsements from eight fellow MPPs.[3]

During her campaign, Stiles outlined five priorities for the NDP and the province.[4] She ran on climate action by creating jobs in sustainable industries and investing in green infrastructure.[14] She called for "true reconciliation" by protecting Indigenous rights and addressing issues such as clean drinking water, treatment in the justice system and shelter.[14] Labour was another one of her priorities, and she has stated that she would like to focus on creating jobs where workers' rights and safety are respected.[14] Another commitment was reforming the province's electoral system and moving away from first-past-the-post.[14] Stiles has also criticized what she perceives as the Conservatives' efforts to increase privatization of government services, and committed to improving public education, healthcare, and social security.[14]

The NDP announced on December 5, 2022, that Stiles was the only candidate in the leadership election, and hence leader-in-waiting.[15][16] While several other MPPs had explored running for leader, none were able to meet the entry requirements—which included raising a $55,000 fee—before the December 5 deadline.[3] She was scheduled to be acclaimed as leader on March 4, 2023, but the party's provincial council voted to move the date up to February 4.[15][17][18] Premier Doug Ford congratulated Stiles in a brief statement posted to Twitter stating "I'm looking forward to many spirited debates as we both strive to make Ontario the best place to live, work and raise a family."[19]

Stiles was formally confirmed on February 4, 2023, taking office as leader of the NDP and becoming the leader of the Official Opposition in Ontario.[20][21]

In October 2023, Hamilton Centre MPP Sarah Jama was removed from the NDP caucus for allegedly failing to abide by the terms of an agreement between herself and Stiles. Jama was accused of taking a "number of unilateral actions" without party endorsement, which included making statements regarding the 2023 Israel-Hamas war; being uncooperative with NDP colleagues; and threatening Premier Doug Ford with legal action without first consulting her caucus.[22][23][24] Stiles had originally defended Jama, and had met privately with Jama beforehand, asking her to remove her statement and apologize. Jama subsequently apologized for her posts but, in defiance of the party's directive, refused to remove the statement, instead pinning it to the top of her feed on X.[25][26][27][28] Jama said: "I don't plan on apologizing..."[29] The NDP was divided over the issue.[30] Some in the NDP stated that Jama should have been ejected sooner for refusing to remove her statement; some were critical of the political damage that resulted from the delay in expelling Jama with one MPP having to be convinced not to quit the NDP over the delay; while others criticized Stiles for her decision to remove Jama from caucus including two constituency associations that demanded Stiles resign as leader.[31]

Personal life

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Stiles lives in Toronto with her husband Jordan Berger and their two daughters.[7] Berger ran unsuccessfully for the NDP in Davenport in 2003 losing to the Liberal incumbent Tony Ruprecht.[16]

Election record

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2022 Ontario general election: Davenport
Party Candidate Votes % ±% Expenditures
New Democratic Marit Stiles 20,242 57.06 −3.20 $107,755
Liberal Jerry Levitan 6,815 19.21 +0.53 $67,441
Progressive Conservative Paul Spence 4,994 14.08 −2.01 $6,103
Green Karen Stephenson 1,710 4.82 +1.28 $542
Ontario Party Diti Coutinho 400 1.13   $4,541
New Blue Mario Bilusic 395 1.11   $2,719
Libertarian Nunzio Venuto 375 1.06 +0.60 $0
Communist Jack Copple 326 0.92 +0.59 $0
Independent Nicholas Alexander 139 0.39   $550
Independent Simon Fogel 77 0.22   $300
Total valid votes/Expense limit 35,473 99.24 +0.25 $117,313
Total rejected, unmarked, and declined ballots 272 0.76 −0.25
Turnout 35,745 43.30 −15.13
Eligible voters 83,796
New Democratic hold Swing −1.87
Source(s)
  • "Summary of Valid Votes Cast for Each Candidate" (PDF). Elections Ontario. 2022. Archived from the original on May 18, 2023.
  • "Statistical Summary by Electoral District" (PDF). Elections Ontario. 2022. Archived from the original on May 21, 2023.
2018 Ontario general election: Davenport
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
New Democratic Marit Stiles 27,613 60.27 +20.12
Liberal Cristina Martins 8,558 18.68 -26.93
Progressive Conservative Federico Sanchez 7,370 16.09 +8.62
Green Kirsten Snider 1,624 3.54 -1.46
Libertarian Nunzino Venuto 210 0.46 -0.24
Communist Dave McKee 152 0.33 -0.15
Freedom Franz Cauchi 127 0.28 -0.03
People's Political Party Troy Young 96 0.21 -0.10
Independent Chai Kalevar 69 0.15 N/A
Turnout 45,819 58.43 +8.83
Eligible voters 78,414
New Democratic gain from Liberal Swing +23.53
Source: Elections Ontario[32]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g h "Can new NDP leader Marit Stiles take down Doug Ford?". The Star. February 5, 2023. Archived from the original on July 5, 2023. Retrieved February 5, 2023.
  2. ^ @maritstiles (September 20, 2022). ""It's my birthday. And per usual Mom calls to remind me that I don't get to celebrate till 8:20 PM Newfoundland Time. And that the surgeon knocked her out, used forceps & she had to force the nuns to give me back so she could feed me. Then she giggles & tells me I was perfect🧡"". via Twitter. Retrieved December 7, 2022.
  3. ^ a b c d Cook, Dustin (December 6, 2022). "Marit Stiles set to become Ontario NDP leader". The Globe and Mail. Archived from the original on June 10, 2023. Retrieved December 7, 2022.
  4. ^ a b c d e Dutil, Charley (December 7, 2022). "Qui est Marit Stiles, prochaine chef de l'opposition ontarienne?" [Who is Marit Stiles, Ontario's next opposition leader?]. Radio-Canada (in Canadian French). Archived from the original on February 3, 2023. Retrieved December 7, 2022.
  5. ^ "Can new NDP leader Marit Stiles take down Doug Ford?". The Star. February 5, 2023. Archived from the original on July 5, 2023. Retrieved February 5, 2023.
  6. ^ "Ms. Marit Stiles (Director, Public Policy and Communications, ACTRA – National) at the Industry, Science and Technology Committee | openparliament.ca". openparliament.ca. Archived from the original on December 7, 2022. Retrieved April 7, 2022.
  7. ^ a b "MPP Marit Stiles, Davenport". Leading Influence. Archived from the original on December 7, 2022. Retrieved April 7, 2022.
  8. ^ "TDSB trustees petition ministry over policy change to access existing repair funds" Archived December 7, 2022, at the Wayback Machine. CityNews, November 2, 2017.
  9. ^ "NDP's Marit Stiles takes Davenport from the Liberals". The Toronto Star. June 7, 2018. ISSN 0319-0781. Archived from the original on June 14, 2021. Retrieved April 7, 2022.
  10. ^ a b Mirror, Rahul Gupta | Scarborough. "NDP retakes Toronto Davenport". Toronto. Archived from the original on December 7, 2022. Retrieved April 7, 2022.
  11. ^ "Election Night Results /Résultats du soir de l'élection". Elections Ontario. Archived from the original on June 22, 2018. Retrieved June 23, 2018.
  12. ^ "Marit Stiles | Legislative Assembly of Ontario". ola.org. Archived from the original on December 7, 2022. Retrieved December 7, 2022.
  13. ^ Rushovy, Kristin (September 22, 2022). "Toronto MPP Marit Stiles first to announce she's running for Ontario NDP leader". Toronto Star. Archived from the original on October 2, 2022. Retrieved September 22, 2022.
  14. ^ a b c d e "Marit Stiles for Ontario NDP Leader". Marit Stiles for Ontario NDP Leader. Archived from the original on December 6, 2022. Retrieved December 7, 2022.
  15. ^ a b Powers, Lucas (December 6, 2022). "Toronto MPP Marit Stiles set to be next leader of Ontario NDP". CBC News. Archived from the original on December 6, 2022.
  16. ^ a b "Marit Stiles wins an uncontested race to lead the Ontario NDP party". Toronto Star. December 6, 2022. Archived from the original on July 5, 2023. Retrieved December 7, 2022.
  17. ^ "Marit Stiles only candidate in Ontario NDP leadership race". CTV Toronto. December 6, 2022. Archived from the original on December 7, 2022. Retrieved December 7, 2022.
  18. ^ "Ontario NDP to confirm Marit Stiles as new leader on Feb. 4". CityNews. Archived from the original on January 6, 2023. Retrieved January 6, 2023.
  19. ^ Powers, Lucas (December 6, 2022). "Toronto MPP Marit Stiles set to be next leader of Ontario NDP". CBC. Archived from the original on December 6, 2022. Retrieved December 11, 2022.
  20. ^ "Marit Stiles officially confirmed as Ontario NDP leader by majority vote". Toronto. February 4, 2023. Archived from the original on March 23, 2023. Retrieved February 4, 2023.
  21. ^ "Ontario NDP officially confirms Marit Stiles as leader by majority vote". CBC News. February 4, 2023.
  22. ^ Allison Jones and Liam Casey (October 23, 2023). "Ontario Premier Ford's government passes motion to silence Hamilton legislator". Toronto Star. Archived from the original on October 23, 2023. Retrieved October 23, 2023.
  23. ^ Beattie, Samantha; Hristova, Bobby (October 23, 2023). "Ontario NDP kicks Hamilton MPP Sarah Jama from caucus after controversial Gaza comments". CBC News. Archived from the original on November 2, 2023. Retrieved November 2, 2023.
  24. ^ DeClerq, Katherine (October 24, 2023). "What to know about Sarah Jama's censure and ejection from NDP". CTV News Toronto. Archived from the original on November 20, 2023. Retrieved November 21, 2023.
  25. ^ "Ontario NDP removes Sarah Jama from caucus after Israel-Hamas comments". Global News. Archived from the original on November 21, 2023. Retrieved November 21, 2023.
  26. ^ Casaletto, Lucas; Ranger, Michael (October 23, 2023). "Ontario NDP MPP Sarah Jama removed from caucus". CityNews. Archived from the original on October 23, 2023. Retrieved October 23, 2023.
  27. ^ Katherine DeClerq (October 24, 2023). "What to know about Sarah Jama's censure and ejection from NDP". CTV News. Archived from the original on November 20, 2023. Retrieved November 21, 2023.
  28. ^ "Hamilton MPP kicked out of NDP caucus, censured by legislature; Sarah Jama was expelled from caucus and effectively silenced in the legislature for comments she made about the Israel-Hamas war". TVO Today. Archived from the original on November 15, 2023. Retrieved November 21, 2023.
  29. ^ Grant LaFleche (November 7, 2023). "'I don't plan on apologizing,' says Hamilton-Centre's Sarah Jama". The Spectator. Archived from the original on November 21, 2023. Retrieved November 21, 2023.
  30. ^ Rushowy, Kristin; Ferguson, Rob (October 25, 2023). "MPP Sarah Jama's removal divides the NDP". Toronto Star. Archived from the original on November 21, 2023. Retrieved November 21, 2023.
  31. ^ DeClerq, Katherine (October 26, 2023). "Sarah Jama's removal from Ontario NDP prompts calls for leader's resignation and review". CP24. Archived from the original on November 1, 2023. Retrieved November 2, 2023.
  32. ^ "Summary of Valid Votes Cast for each Candidate" (PDF). Elections Ontario. Retrieved January 16, 2019.
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