One of the contenders for the NDP leadership is rookie Quebec MP Romeo Saganash.

He was part of the orange wave which swept through the province in this spring's election, but by no means is the representative or Abitibi Bay James Nunavut a stranger to politics.

"I've done a lot of work at the National Assembly in Quebec. I have done a lot of work on behalf of the Cree as well as in the Parliament of Canada, so I know how this house works," said Saganash.

At this point Saganash is an underdog, with more people supporting the party's president Brian Topp, who has never held elected office, or Thomas Mulcair, the first NDP MP from Quebec.

"Being an underdog in any race, as a member of the NDP is no problem for me. I'm not overly concerned about that," said Saganash.

"The challenges that we have here in Quebec to connect, to get new members from Quebec and get other members from across the country. We have over 4.5 million people that voted for the NDP in this past election and Ii think there is a strong base there that we have to work on and connect with."

To watch the full interview, click the video player to the right.