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Manitoba MP Niki Ashton becomes first woman to enter NDP leadership race

NDP MP Niki Ashton launches her leadership bid in Ottawa, March 7. Photo by Alex Tétreault

It's time to fix a rigged system.

That's one of the key messages delivered by Niki Ashton as she officially joined the race to become the next leader of the federal New Democrats.

The 34-year-old member of Parliament who represents the Manitoba riding of Churchill—Keewatinook Aski declared her candidacy on March 7, becoming the fourth person and first woman to enter the NDP leadership race.

A crowd of reporters and supporters listens in as NDP MP Niki Ashton announces her candidacy in Ottawa for her party's leadership race on March 7, 2017. Photo by Alex Tétreault

She'll be competing against fellow MPs Peter Julian, Charlie Angus and Guy Caron. Ashton also ran for the leadership of the party in 2012.

"It's time to call out a system that is rigged to benefit the few at the expense of the many. It's time to take back our country," she said at her leadership launch in Ottawa, according to CBC News.

The NDP critic for jobs, employment and workforce development, Ashton has also worked on a range of files including indigenous affairs, status of women, post-secondary education and youth.

NDP MP Niki Ashton speaks at her leadership campaign launch in Ottawa on March 7, 2017. Photo by Alex Tétreault

She's been an MP since 2008 for the Churchill riding and was re-elected in 2011 and again in 2015 after the riding was redrawn.

The party's first leadership debate is in Ottawa on March 12.

For the NDP, that's something to smile about.

NDP MP Niki Ashton flashes a smile during the launch of her leadership campaign in Ottawa on March 7, 2017. Photo by Alex Tétreault

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