The backlash to Yves Engler’s exclusion continues to grow, and one of the most striking reactions came from veteran journalist Antonia Zerbisias, formerly of The Toronto Star. In a detailed Facebook post, Zerbisias offers a nuanced but forceful critique of the NDP’s decision—one that underscores just how troubling this moment is for anyone who cares about democratic debate inside the party.
Zerbisias begins by acknowledging that Engler is polarizing, and that she personally doubted he could win the leadership. But she makes it clear that this is irrelevant to the core issue: members deserved to hear his voice, and the NDP had no business shutting him out through a process she describes bluntly as “bullshit” and “less than transparent.”
She notes that while she sometimes differs with Engler’s style, she has rarely disagreed with his politics—and she has watched for years as unsubstantiated attacks circulated about his work and positions. Zerbisias quotes directly from Engler’s own response to the vetting committee, highlighting his decades of journalism documenting Canada’s involvement in coups and foreign interventions. Her message is unmistakable: Engler’s critiques are grounded in evidence, and silencing him says more about the party’s insecurities than about his record.
Perhaps most powerfully, Zerbisias calls on the NDP to explain exactly which “core commitments” Engler supposedly violated. Without clarity, she warns, members cannot possibly judge the legitimacy of the decision—or the direction of their party. If the NDP refuses to let him run, she argues, they should at least have the integrity to consult him on policy, especially at a moment when the party desperately needs to reconnect with workers, youth, and the broader left.
Finally, Zerbisias delivers a warning to commenters on her post: any accusations against Engler must be backed with citations and evidence. Otherwise, she will delete them. “Call him whatever you like,” she writes, “but prove it, back it up, or don’t post.”
Her intervention underscores something the NDP establishment has badly misjudged: Engler’s exclusion is not just a procedural matter—it is a political flashpoint, and it is resonating far beyond the usual activist circles.
