jagmeet singh ontario provincial lawmaker practice sikh elect sunday leader canada left-leaning new democrats become first non-white politician head major canadian political party 38-year-old lawyer whose penchant colorful turbans tailor-made three-piece suit make social media star elect first ballot lead new democratic party 2019 federal election prime minister justin trudeau liberals thank new democrats run prime minister begin singh tweet singh secure 54 percent vote defeat three rival become new head ndp succeed thomas mulcair result vote conduct online mail announce party meet toronto toronto-area politician lead fundraise since join race last may tout supporters someone could bring new life party struggle since death charismatic former leader jack layton 2011. singh profile boost early september video go viral show calmly respond word love heckler interrupt campaign event accuse want impose islamic shariah law canada skill able diffuse situation understandably appeal lot people end support say christopher cochrane professor political science university toronto cochrane add singh ability connect young people ethnic minorities would make force reckon compete trudeau 2019. trudeau congratulate new political rival twitter sunday say look forward speak soon work together canadians ndp third large party federal parliament 44 338 seat party lag well behind centrist liberals right-leaning conservatives political fundraise year accord elections canada data singh focus rally supporters target center-left voters help propel trudeau liberals decisive victory 2015. hurdle ahead singh seat federal parliament win one special election also need persuade voters party form government although never hold power federally also question whether success quebec canada mainly french-speaking province overt sign faith frown upon canadian sikh politician win race lead federal new democrats