Singh \u2014\u00a0the perceived front-runner \u2014\u00a0had to play defence on Saturday when some competitors raised the fact that he doesn’t have a seat in the House of Commons, and one Quebec MP raised doubts about his ability to connect to voters in that province\u00a0because he wears religious symbols. Singh,\u00a0who is\u00a0Sikh,\u00a0wears a turban and kirpan, a small sword worn on a strap or belt.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Pierre Nantel\u00a0told Radio-Canada that while Singh, 38, is charismatic, Quebecers\u00a0don’t want to see their leaders wearing visibly religious symbols.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Singh disagreed with Nantel’s assessment of Quebec voters and said they have a long history of being open-minded and progressive and that he’s confident in his ability to “reach out to people on the issues that matter.”<\/p>\n
He said he’s shown during his campaign that he has a deep respect for Quebec and will continue to demonstrate that.\u00a0He’s never asked people to accept the way he looks, Singh said.<\/p>\n
“People in Quebec\u00a0accept that I have\u00a0the values and the beliefs \u2014\u00a0the social democratic and progressive beliefs \u2014\u00a0that will benefit Quebec,” said Singh, who was at the Hamilton Convention Centre Saturday evening doing interviews and rehearsing Sunday’s speech.<\/p>\n
22 minutes<\/h2>\n
Each leadership hopeful will make a 22-minute\u00a0presentation\u00a0during which they will lay out their vision for the party and make the case for why they are the best person to lead it. The presentations\u00a0are expected to include videos, music, as well as family members\u00a0and supporters vouching for the\u00a0candidate.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
About 124,600 NDP members are eligible to vote and will cast their ranked ballots over the next two weeks\u00a0online and by mail. The results will be revealed on Oct.1, and if no one receives a majority of the votes the rounds will continue. Members rank their picks in order of preference.<\/p>\n
![\"NDP](\"https:\/\/i.cbc.ca\/1.4293357.1505568484!\/fileImage\/httpImage\/image.jpg_gen\/derivatives\/original_620\/ndp-leadership-showcase.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
CBC News will have special\u00a0coverage of the NDP leadership showcase on Sunday, including livestreaming video and a live blog\u00a0on\u00a0cbc.ca\/politics<\/a>, and on\u00a0Facebook<\/a>,\u00a0YouTube\u00a0<\/a>and CBC News Network. Rosemary Barton hosts coverage of the candidates’ speeches starting at 2 p.m. ET.\u00a0<\/p>\n Singh goes into the voting feeling confident.\u00a0<\/p>\n “I absolutely think we will get enough support to win, whether it’s the first ballot or second ballot or third ballot I’m not sure. But I’m absolutely confident we’ll have enough support from the new members we’ve signed up as well as existing\u00a0membership to be able to pull the win out,” he said.<\/p>\n Singh has led the way in fundraising and claims to have signed up 47,000 of the party’s 83,000 new members, a figure that can’t be verified by the party and has been put into question by Angus’s campaign.<\/p>\n Angus also\u00a0said he’s feeling good and that his showcase on Sunday will demonstrate how he is the right choice to lead the party in the next election.<\/p>\n
\n
![\"Singh\"](\"https:\/\/i.cbc.ca\/1.4293677.1505599682!\/fileImage\/httpImage\/image.JPG_gen\/derivatives\/original_620\/singh.JPG\")
<\/p>\n![\"NDP](\"https:\/\/i.cbc.ca\/1.4293781.1505613704!\/cpImage\/httpImage\/image.jpg_gen\/derivatives\/original_620\/ndp-debate-20170326.jpg\")
<\/p>\n