| Martin Singh | |
|---|---|
| Candidate for Leader of the New Democratic Party |
|
| Election date March 24, 2011 |
|
| Opponent(s) | |
| Incumbent | Nycole Turmel (interim) |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Martin Hill 1972/1973 (age 38–39) Halifax, Nova Scotia |
| Alma mater | |
| Occupation | Pharmacist, businessperson |
| Religion | Sikh |
| Website | www.martinsingh.ca |
| Military service | |
| Service/branch | Canadian Forces Primary Reserve |
Jarnail Martin John Singh[1] (born Martin Hill in c. 1973) is a Canadian pharmacist, businessman and political activist, and a candidate for the leadership of the New Democratic Party.[2]
A pharmacist in Musquodoboit Harbour, Nova Scotia, Singh was born Martin Hill to Protestant parents[3] and changed his name when he converted to Sikhism in 1996.[3] He owns pharmacies and residential care facilities in Nova Scotia and Ontario and is a reservist in the Canadian Forces.[4]
He holds three degrees from Dalhousie University, in chemistry, chemical engineering and pharmacy, and a Master of Business Administration from Saint Mary's University.[5]
A former Liberal,[3] Singh has been active with the NDP since the mid-1990s and is president of the party's faith and social justice commission.[5] On December 11, 2005, he was elected president of the Maritime Sikh Society,[6] and is the first white convert to become head of a gurdwara in Canada.[3]
Singh announced his candidacy in the 2012 New Democratic Party leadership campaign on October 2, 2011 in Mississauga, Ontario.[7] He said that he plans to build his leadership campaign on four issues: entrepreneurship and engaging the business community, health care and the promotion of a national pharmacare plan, the environment, and the issue of leadership.[4]