Don Davies

Early Life and Professional Career

Donald Vincent Davies was born on January 16, 1963, in Edmonton, Alberta. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in political science and a Bachelor of Laws at the University of Alberta. He worked as a researcher at the Legislative Assembly of Alberta. From 1989 to 1991, he was executive assistant for policy and communications to Ray Martin, leader of the official opposition of Alberta. Davies and his family moved to Vancouver in 1991. In 1992, he became the director of legal services for Teamsters Canada Local 31, a position he held until his election to the House of Commons in 2008. This work focused on labour rights and workplace safety. He represented union members on a wide range of legal matters, gaining practical skills in negotiation and policy development that he would later apply in federal politics.

Entry into Federal Politics and Electoral Success

Don Davies was first elected to the House of Commons in the 2008 federal election, winning the riding of Vancouver Kingsway. He received 15,933 votes, securing a victory by a margin of almost 3,000 votes over his nearest competitor. He was re-elected in 2011 with over 50 percent of the vote, winning by a commanding 10,300-vote margin. His third and fourth terms were secured in the 2015 and 2019 elections, where he obtained 46 percent and 49 percent of the vote respectively, with victory margins exceeding 8,000 and 11,000 votes. His 2019 re-election made him the longest-serving MP in the history of Vancouver Kingsway and the first to win the riding four times. In the 2025 federal election, Davies was one of only seven NDP MPs elected nationally. He narrowly held his seat by a margin of 310 votes, receiving 37 percent of the vote. His electoral resilience across five consecutive elections shows his deep connection to the constituency of Vancouver Kingsway.

Parliamentary Roles and Legislative Work

In the 40th Parliament, Davies served as NDP critic for Public Safety and National Security, vice-chair of the House of Commons Standing Committee on Public Safety and National Security and deputy critic for Western Diversification. In the 41st Parliament, he served as Official Opposition critic for Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism, and vice-chair of the House of Commons Standing Committee on Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism, and then as Official Opposition critic for International Trade, deputy critic for Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism, and vice-chair of the House of Commons Standing Committee on International Trade. A member of a number of parliamentary groups, he serves on the executives of the Canada-China, Canada-Philippines, and Canada-Europe parliamentary associations, and is a Canadian parliamentary delegate to the Council of Europe. In the 42nd Parliament, Davies introduced more private member's legislation than any other MP in Canada. This legislation included bills to establish universal pharmacare, a national school nutrition program, and free tuition for students with diverse needs. In the 43rd Parliament, Davies was re-appointed to the Health portfolio. He served on the Standing Committee on Health and was appointed to the National Security and Intelligence Committee of Parliamentarians. He was appointed the NDP critic for finance on April 5, 2024. His legislative activism has been a defining feature of his tenure, aiming to translate progressive policy ideas into concrete legislative proposals.

• Critic for Public Safety and National Security (40th Parliament).
• Critic for Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism (41st Parliament).
• Critic for International Trade (41st Parliament).
• Vice-chair of the Standing Committee on Public Safety and National Security.
• Vice-chair of the Standing Committee on International Trade.
• Member of the National Security and Intelligence Committee of Parliamentarians (43rd Parliament).
• Executive member of multiple international parliamentary associations.
• Deputy critic for Western Diversification (40th Parliament).
• Deputy critic for Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism (41st Parliament).
• Member of the Standing Committee on Health (43rd Parliament).

Interim Party Leadership and Caucus Dynamics

After leader Jagmeet Singh stepped down following the 2025 federal election, the party's federal council chose Davies as interim leader of the New Democratic Party until the 2026 leadership election. MPs Leah Gazan, Lori Idlout, and Jenny Kwan wrote a letter to the party's executive and council saying they were not properly consulted in the selection of Davies as interim leader. They said that the party executive and other MPs did not hold caucus discussions or provide a timeline. In May 2025, NDP national director Lucy Watson said that the federal council had sole responsibility for choosing an interim leader under the constitution. In November 2025, five of seven NDP MPs, Davies, Alexandre Boulerice, Gazan, Kwan, and Heather McPherson, voted against passing the 2025 federal budget, while Idlout and Gord Johns abstained from the vote. In March 2026, NDP MP Lori Idlout crossed the floor to the Liberal Party, pushing the Carney government closer to a majority. Davies also proposed changes to parliamentary rules regarding floor-crossing, highlighting concerns about political stability and party integrity. His tenure as interim leader coincided with a period of tension within the small NDP caucus.

Policy Advocacy and Key Positions

Davies has been a persistent advocate for expanding Canada's social safety net, with a particular focus on healthcare. He played an instrumental role in championing the national dental care program. He has also been a leading voice for the implementation of a universal pharmacare program, with the first phase covering diabetes medications and devices set to begin in 2026. His advocacy extends to proposing a national school nutrition program. Davies maintained a stance against the extradition of Meng Wanzhou after her arrest in Vancouver in 2018, claiming political interference in the case by US president Donald Trump. He considered running for mayor of Vancouver in the 2018 Vancouver municipal election but ultimately decided not to. He has also sponsored petitions to bring citizen concerns to Parliament, such as one regarding pension calculations for disabled workers which garnered over 1,140 signatures. His work on these files demonstrates a consistent focus on civil liberties and equitable treatment under the law. Davies criticized government legislation such as Bill C-39, the Building Canada Strong Act, arguing it threatened workers' rights, Indigenous community rights, and environmental protections.

Community Involvement and Personal Life

Davies served on numerous public bodies to improve occupational health and safety and deliver more efficient regulatory systems in the transportation sector. He was the chair of the Mount Pleasant Parent Advisory Council and serves as secretary-treasurer of the Meridian Cultural Society, providing public space for childcare, church and cultural events. Davies has been active in many community organizations, including Tools for Peace, Vancouver Co-op Radio, Lawyers for Social Responsibility, the La Quena Cooperative, and the Dickens Community Group. He has also been a local hockey coach and enjoys playing the violin. A long-time resident of the Kensington neighbourhood in Vancouver Kingsway, Davies is married to Sheryl Palm, a speech language pathologist at Vancouver Children's Hospital. They have three children and a granddaughter. His deep local roots and broad community involvement have been central to his political identity and his approach to representation, emphasizing direct connection with the diverse residents of his constituency.

• Chair of the Mount Pleasant Parent Advisory Council.
• Secretary-treasurer of the Meridian Cultural Society.
• Member of Tools for Peace and Vancouver Co-op Radio.
• Member of Lawyers for Social Responsibility.
• Local hockey coach and violinist.
• Active in the La Quena Cooperative and Dickens Community Group.
• Served on public bodies for occupational health and safety and transportation regulation.
• Active in the Kensington neighbourhood community.

Electoral Performance in Vancouver Kingsway

Don Davies's electoral record in Vancouver Kingsway demonstrates consistent voter support. The table below outlines his results in each federal election since he first contested the riding. His share of the vote has remained strong, typically securing a plurality or majority, with his most decisive victory occurring in 2019. The 2025 election result reflects the more competitive national political environment, where he retained the seat by a narrow margin. This consistent electoral success has cemented his position as a fixture in Vancouver Kingsway politics.

Davies was one of seven NDP MPs elected in the 2025 federal election. He was first elected during the 2008 federal election and was re-elected in 2011, 2015, 2019, and 2025. His performance across varying political climates highlights his resilience as a campaigner and representative who has maintained support through multiple election cycles. His ability to connect with the riding's culturally rich community is widely seen as the foundation of his political longevity.

Questions about Don Davies

Who is Don Davies?

Don Davies is a Canadian lawyer and New Democratic Party politician who has been the member of Parliament for Vancouver Kingsway since 2008. He was selected to be interim party leader in 2025 and served until the election of Avi Lewis in the 2026 leadership election. Born in Edmonton, Alberta in 1963, he earned a Bachelor of Laws at the University of Alberta. Before politics, he worked as a researcher at the Legislative Assembly of Alberta and later as the director of legal services for Teamsters Canada Local 31.

What riding does Don Davies represent?

Don Davies represents the federal riding of Vancouver Kingsway in British Columbia. He was first elected in the 2008 federal election. He has been re-elected in every subsequent election, including in 2011, 2015, 2019, and 2025. This makes him the longest-serving member of Parliament in the history of Vancouver Kingsway and the first MP ever to win the riding four times.

What are some key policies Don Davies has championed?

Davies has been a leading parliamentary advocate for several major social programs. He introduced legislation to establish a universal pharmacare program, a national school nutrition program, and free tuition for students with diverse needs. He played a major role in the development of the national dental care program. His legislative record in the 42nd Parliament included more private member's bills than any other MP. He was appointed the NDP critic for finance on April 5, 2024. He also maintained a stance against the extradition of Meng Wanzhou, citing political interference by the US president.

What was Don Davies's profession before politics?

Before entering politics, Don Davies was a lawyer. He earned a Bachelor of Laws at the University of Alberta. He worked as a researcher at the Legislative Assembly of Alberta and was executive assistant for policy and communications to Ray Martin, leader of the official opposition of Alberta. From 1992 until his election in 2008, he was the director of legal services for Teamsters Canada Local 31, representing union members on legal matters related to labour rights and workplace safety.

When was Don Davies the interim leader of the NDP?

Don Davies was selected to be interim party leader in 2025 and served until the election of Avi Lewis in the 2026 leadership election. He was chosen by the party's federal council after leader Jagmeet Singh stepped down following the 2025 federal election. The selection process was not without internal party controversy, as several MPs wrote a letter stating they were not properly consulted. In May 2025, NDP national director Lucy Watson clarified that the federal council had sole constitutional responsibility for choosing an interim leader. Davies served in this capacity for approximately a year.

How did Don Davies perform in the 2025 federal election?

In the 2025 federal election, Don Davies was one of only seven New Democratic Party MPs elected to Parliament. He narrowly held his seat in Vancouver Kingsway, winning by a margin of 310 votes and receiving 37 percent of the vote. This victory extended his record as the longest serving Member of Parliament in the history of the Vancouver Kingsway riding. Following this election, he was chosen to serve as the party's interim leader after Jagmeet Singh stepped down. The 2025 election result was much closer than his previous wins, such as in 2019 where he led by over 11,000 votes.

Sources and further reading

• Don Davies (Wikipedia)
• Don Davies, Member of Parliament for Vancouver Kingsway (dondavies.ca)
• Endorsements, Don Davies for Vancouver Kingsway (dondavies.org)

Checked by the Nosy Mag desk. Last updated 2026-10-30.