Is it R.I.P. for the federal NDP? Not quite, experts say

The New Democratic Party's devastating electoral losses do not translate to a death knell for the party but are an important signal that some significant structural changes are needed, analysts say.

"I don't believe the claims that this is it for the NDP," said Andrea Lawlor, an associate professor of political science at McMaster University.

"But for them it is the type of organizational crisis that is going to require a lot of attention and soul-searching in order to get back on a footing where they are viewed by Canadians as a really fundamental third option."

The NDP, which held 24 seats at dissolution, is now projected to end up with just over six per cent of the popular vote and seven seats — resulting in the worst showing of the party's history. It was crushed in provinces like B.C., where it's projected to lose 10 of its 13 seats, and in Ontario, where it's projected to be wiped out, losing the five ridings it had held.

The results prompted NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh to announce his resignation, while his party's poor showing means it won't have official status in the House of Commons.

Without such status, the NDP will miss out on crucial parliamentary funding, be allowed to ask fewer questions during question period and likely be unable to participate in parliamentary committees.

It suffered a significant defeat before in 1993, when, led by Audrey McLaughlin, it won only nine seats and also lost official status.

Its heyday remains the 2011 election, when leader Jack Layton rode the "Orange Wave" to a record 103 seats and Official Opposition status.

But since that wave — believed to have been largely built more on Layton's personality than party policy — there's been a repeated decline in the party's vote share and seat count.

While its provincial cousins continue to maintain a presence in provincial legislatures, the federal party has suffered diminishing returns over the years.

"And crucially, a broader confusion about just what it is [the New Democrats] offer, what it is [they] stand for and what it is that [they] provide," said Tari Ajadi, assistant professor of political science at McGill University. "That's a massive issue."

Jonathan Malloy, a political science professor at Carleton University, said he believes the election night results mostly centred on voter fear of President Donald Trump, which drove NDP supporters to the Liberals.

"The party had a very bad night, but it could point to a specific reason why," he said. "So, that's the consolation for them."

But Ajadi said while the fear of Trump was a significant factor, it's the internal workings of the NDP that need to be scrutinized after many of its seats went to the Conservatives — more than they lost to the Liberals.