OTTAWA: Former federal NDP leader Jagmeet Singh is being considered for appointment as the new chief executive officer of Destination Canada, the country’s national tourism marketing organization, according to a report by CTV News citing prominent sources.
The potential appointment of Singh, who has no prior experience in the tourism sector, has drawn sharp criticism from the opposition and key industry figures. Calling the move an insult to both the sector and the organization, a senior industry source who spoke on condition of anonymity stated, “This is not a roving diplomatic appointment. This is a marketing organization that is responsible for a billion dollars’ worth of economic activity in Canada.”
Singh was instrumental in keeping former prime minister Justin Trudeau’s Liberal government in power following the 2021 federal election through a confidence-and-supply agreement. Under the deal, reached after the Liberals agreed to key NDP priorities, the Trudeau government remained in office until the agreement ended in 2024.
The CEO position at the federal Crown corporation commands an annual compensation range of up to $350,000. News of the potential role comes shortly after Singh became eligible for his federal parliamentary pension following his years of service as a Member of Parliament.
A lawyer by profession, Singh served as leader of the NDP from 2017 to 2025 and represented the British Columbia riding of Burnaby South as MP from 2019 to 2025. He resigned as party leader after leading the NDP to its worst election performance in party history during the 2025 federal election. Singh has not yet responded to requests for comment on the matter.
