Veteran New Democrat MP Nathan Cullen is shrugging off the fact Jagmeet Singh is in no hurry to sit in the House of Commons, choosing to endorse the member of the Ontario legislature in his bid to lead the federal NDP.

Cullen, who himself ran against eventual winner Tom Mulcair in 2012, said Wednesday he is confident the NDP香蕉视频直播檚 current team of MPs 香蕉视频直播� 44 all told, including three running against Singh 香蕉视频直播� can hold the Liberal government to account until 2019, if necessary.

While Singh has said he香蕉视频直播檇 be inclined to wait until then to run in the federal election, he has left the door open to running earlier in a byelection, adding that he香蕉视频直播檚 open to ideas on 香蕉视频直播渨here it makes sense to run.香蕉视频直播�

Even though the NDP was cheered for its work in the Commons prior to the election, Justin Trudeau triumphed nonetheless, despite having spent little time on the floor of the House, Cullen said.

香蕉视频直播淰oters, in the end, determined they had a relationship and understood his policies better than they did ours, so he香蕉视频直播檚 prime minister,香蕉视频直播� he said.

香蕉视频直播淚 have no concerns at all today as I stand with Jagmeet about the concept of us going through to the next election with the incredible team that we have talked about.香蕉视频直播�

Jack Layton did not have a seat when he became leader, Cullen added.

Earlier this week, Mulcair said it would be a 香蕉视频直播渉eck of a lot better香蕉视频直播� if his successor had immediate access to the Commons in order to face off with Trudeau.

香蕉视频直播淚 think it香蕉视频直播檚 important to have a seat in the House of Commons if we香蕉视频直播檙e leading a political party,香蕉视频直播� Mulcair said. 香蕉视频直播淚 think that ideally, you know, you should be there.香蕉视频直播�

Mulcair also said questions about his lack of a federal seat came up quickly when he became Layton香蕉视频直播檚 Quebec lieutenant, prompting him to run in a federal byelection in 2007.

Charlie Angus, an Ontario MP who is also running against Singh, has also said he thinks the leader needs to be in the Commons.

香蕉视频直播淚 was surprised that Jagmeet said he didn香蕉视频直播檛 think he needed to be in Parliament until 2019,香蕉视频直播� Angus said Monday in an interview. 香蕉视频直播淭hat香蕉视频直播檚 his choice 香蕉视频直播� my focus is Parliament, what we are going to do there and the building on the ground from that.香蕉视频直播�

The other candidates are Manitoba MP Niki Ashton and Quebec MP Guy Caron.

Singh has been able to garner the most support from the current federal caucus 香蕉视频直播� a total of 11 MPs, including Cullen, who said he was swayed in part by Singh香蕉视频直播檚 commitment to issues like electoral reform and climate change.

Some observers have suggested that Singh 香蕉视频直播� a practising Sikh with a penchant for brightly coloured turbans 香蕉视频直播� could be in for a rough ride in Quebec, where overt displays of religious faith can be a political liability.

香蕉视频直播淚t is not the turban itself 香蕉视频直播� it is what it means,香蕉视频直播� Bloc Quebecois Leader Martine Ouellet said earlier this week. 香蕉视频直播淚n Quebec, what we decided in the 60s 香蕉视频直播� we decided to separate religion and the state. That香蕉视频直播檚 really important for us.香蕉视频直播�

Quebec NDP MP Alexandre Boulerice, who is not publicly backing any particular candidate in the leadership race, acknowledged that the separation of church and state has been a long-standing issue in Quebec.

Personally, he said, he respects those who want to show their faith.

香蕉视频直播淚 think it香蕉视频直播檚 their freedom,香蕉视频直播� Boulerice said. 香蕉视频直播淚 don香蕉视频直播檛 have any problem with that. I don香蕉视频直播檛 want political decisions being driven by only religious point of view, but that has nothing to do with the signs that you are showing off or not.香蕉视频直播�

He also said he believes in the ability of Quebecers to listen to what Singh has to offer.

香蕉视频直播淭he ideas are important,香蕉视频直播� he said. 香蕉视频直播淚 believe that Quebecers are tolerant and inclusive and will accept that.香蕉视频直播�

Quebec MP Guy Caron and Manitoba MP Niki Ashton are also seeking the party香蕉视频直播檚 top job along with Singh and Angus. Caron has the backing of eight MPs, while Ashton has received nods from five. Angus is supported by two.

Voting for a new federal NDP leader began on Monday, with the winner to be declared some time next month.

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Kristy Kirkup, The Canadian Press