MPP Joel Harden to be federal NDP candidate for Ottawa Centre

Ottawa Centre NDP MPP Joel Harden is seen in this 2018 photo. (Justin Tang/THE CANADIAN PRESS)

The NDP has announced Ontario MPP Joel Harden will be the party's candidate for Ottawa Centre in the next federal election.

The party announced the results on social media after its nomination meeting on Saturday.

He defeats Vicky Smallman who serves as the national director of human rights for the Canadian Labour Congress.

Harden has represented the provincial riding of Ottawa Centre since 2018 and serves as the opposition critic for transit and active transportation.

Former Ottawa city councillor and mayoral candidate Catherine McKenney was nominated as the Ontario NDP candidate to replace Harden.

The Liberal Party of Canada has won the federal riding in each election since 2015. It is currently held by MP Yasir Naqvi.

The resignation of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and federal opposition parties vowing to vote down the government has suggested an election could come as early as spring.