Broadbent Resigns as Head of Canadian Opposition Party

TORONTO — Ed Broadbent, whose New Democratic Party won a record number of seats in the last election but who failed in four tries to become prime minister, resigned Saturday after nearly 14 years as party leader.

“Now is the time for renewal, now is the time to pick a new man or a woman to take us the next step,” Broadbent said as he announced his resignation in a speech to party leaders.

His voice breaking with emotion, Broadbent called on the left-of-center New Democrats to fight the new conservatism.

It was not immediately clear when Broadbent will leave or when a party convention will be held to replace him.

The announcement by Broadbent, 52, who has represented Oshawa, in southern Ontario, in Parliament since 1968, followed months of speculation about his political future in the wake of the New Democrat’s defeat in the general election last Nov. 21.

Although the New Democrats won a record 43 seats, they remained in third place among the national political parties and failed to win a single seat in Quebec, even though Broadbent learned French and campaigned vigorously there.

Only a year earlier, the party had led in opinion polls.