Veteran MP Nathan Cullen supports Jagmeet Singh for NDP leadership

Veteran New Democrat MP Nathan Cullen is throwing his weight behind the leadership bid of upstart candidate Jagmeet Singh, a member of the Ontario legislature.

Cullen says Singh's commitment to issues including electoral reform and climate change helped to cement his decision.

Tom Mulcair says it would be a "heck of a lot better" if his successor has a seat in the Commons in order to be able to do battle right away with the Liberals and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. But Cullen says he is not concerned about the fact Singh lacks a seat in the House of Commons and may wait until 2019 to seek one.

Voting for a new federal NDP leader got underway on Monday, with the winner to be declared sometime next month.