B.C. NDP MP Gord Johns endorsed his caucus colleague Heather McPherson for the NDP leadership on Thursday.

Johns told The Canadian Press he’s backing the Alberta MP because he sees McPherson as someone who can grow the party, noting she won her Edmonton riding for a third term.

He said McPherson’s ability to connect with voters and her broad knowledge of issues can help the NDP get back to recognized party status in the House of Commons.

“There’s only seven NDP MPs that made it through in the last election. This wasn’t a small feat. This was a challenge for all seven of us… We’ve proven that we can win in the most difficult circumstances and Heather’s proven that,” Johns said.

“This wasn’t an election for the weak, and certainly she is a strong person.”

Former NDP leader Jagmeet Singh lost his own seat and announced his resignation after last year’s election.

The NDP also lost recognized party status when it fell below the required 12-seat threshold in the House of Commons. That means the party’s MPs lost their spots on House committees and significant public funding.

Johns said a leader with a seat in the House can push the party’s agenda in Parliament and be in a better position for an early election call.

“It’s critical that the NDP get back to official party status because right now the House of Commons looks like a corporate boardroom,” he said.

Johns is the second sitting NDP MP to endorse a candidate. Manitoba NDP MP Leah Gazan threw her support behind Avi Lewis last month.

Lewis, a documentary filmmaker, has also picked up high-profile endorsements from environmentalist David Suzuki and author Cory Doctorow.

Union leader Rob Ashton has been endorsed by several major unions and labour groups, including the United Steelworkers and the Canadian Labour Congress — both founding partners of the NDP.

McPherson has been endorsed by former Alberta premier Rachel Notley and former Ontario NDP MP Charlie Angus.

Fundraising data released by the party last week for the period up to Dec. 31 shows Lewis leads in donations with nearly $780,000. McPherson has the second-largest fundraising take at more than $415,000.

The amount of money raised can be an indicator of front-runner status. Both Prime Minister Mark Carney and Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre outpaced their rivals in fundraising for their respective leadership races.

Johns said a fundraising lead doesn’t guarantee victory. He pointed out that the Liberals beat the Conservatives in the last election despite the Conservatives having a deeper war chest.

All five leadership candidates, including Tanille Johnston and Tony McQuail, are set to meet for the party’s English debate in B.C. on Feb. 19. The new leader will be announced on March 29.

NDP members will select their next leader through a preferential ballot system. The winner will be chosen by a simple majority.

If no one makes that threshold on the first ballot, the lowest-ranked candidate will be eliminated and votes for that candidate will be distributed to voters’ second choice.

This process continues until someone wins a majority.