NDP hopes to turn fundraising, membership gains into more votes this election
N.B. New Democrats aim to put years of identity struggle, declining vote share in rear-view mirror
The provincial New Democratic Party is hoping a recent jump in fundraising and membership numbers will translate to more votes on Oct. 21.
The party, which garnered under two per cent of the vote in 2020, and five per cent in 2018, hasn't secured a seat in New Brunswick's legislature since 2003.
There are 23 candidates on the ballot this year, down from 33 in the last election.
But NDP Leader Alex White said other metrics have been on the rise since he took on the interim role in 2022 and became leader in summer 2023.
"Things like declining membership, declining fundraising, things like that," White said in an interview. "The losses haven't just been stemmed, they've been reversed, that's what we've come around to."
It's a trend he hopes the party can translate into a greater vote share on election day.
But that's still a lofty goal for the party, which has spent the past decade wrestling with identity and with its leadership holding considerably different political positions.
The Cardy factor
Danny Legere, president of the New Brunswick Federation of Labour and the NDP's Federation of Labour representative, said it's been an uphill battle since 2017 to re-establish support on the political left.
That's when Dominic Cardy, who steered the party toward the political centre, resigned as leader. He was later elected as a Progressive Conservative MLA, and also served as a cabinet minister under Blaine Higgs.
Legere said a considerable number of NDP supporters were driven away by Cardy's approach, largely to the benefit of the Green Party — seen as an alternate option for those on the progressive left.
"We were kind of at the bottom of the hill, we had to start to climb back up," Legere said. "I think the party presently in New Brunswick, and labour's involvement in the party as well, is starting to climb back up that hill."
Dominic Cardy, pictured in 2014, took the provincial NDP in a different direction as party leader. (Nicolas Steinbach/Radio-Canada)
But Cardy contends the party was more successful under his direction, while agreeing his leadership wasn't to everyone's taste.
"Less than half of the full slate, no public support, no organization. When I was there, we had full slates in 2010, 2014, and we got up to 30 per cent in the polls," he said. "So I think the results, in terms of elections, speak for themselves."
Cardy received 30 per cent of the vote in his riding in 2014, while the NDP overall took 13 per cent — a historic high that the party has yet to surpass.
White, however, doesn't see a gain in vote share under different values as success for the NDP.
"I'm sure a party was doing better under Dominic Cardy, but it wasn't a progressive party in this province."
White believes the party's concerted effort since 2017 to return to its labour roots will pay off at the polls.
"I would love to have a vote share that is significantly higher than what we had in the last election," he said.
"We have to look at what momentum that we've built through this election and how we can carry it forward."
White said the NDP platform looks to address cost-of-living issues by redirecting corporate relief to individuals.
The platform, costed at $100 million, also proposes to spend $471.9 million on a grocery rebate, and raise income tax rates for those making $150,000 per year to add $371 million to the public purse.
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David Amos
David Amos
I wonder if the New Brunswick NDP Leader even knows that I am on the same ballot he is
David Amos
"Legere said a considerable number of NDP supporters were driven away by Cardy's approach, largely to the benefit of the Green Party"
This is a revelation?
Reply to Jake Newman
Reply to Jake Newman
Reply to Jake Newman
Reply to MR Cain
one of the bigger mistakes made in the past was not getting the federal NDP involved when there is a local election.
The party is growing and it will get stronger, likely at the expense of the liberals as they move farther to the right to fill the gap caused by the Conservatives moving so far right.
The NDP is left and it will represent the left well. Growth is key as well as a bit of stability, building a stronger more visible presence.
David Amos
Reply to Carl Bainbridge
I remember you
I had to read the entire article right to the end just to find out that the big NDP plan is to both raise taxes AND put the province further in debt.
"$471.9 million on a grocery rebate, and raise income tax rates for those making $150,000 per year to add $371 million to the public purse."
Nothing about job creation, business growth, social programs, daycare, healthcare, education, or the environment. Nothing about federal-provincial relations.
Based on this article alone, it seems the NDP in New Brunswick is a party struggling to regain its last-place standing with only a few handfuls of candidates and aspirations to such a low voter turnout as to virtually guarantee political oblivion.
Guys, aim higher. I'm a social conservative so I'm not your target market over at the NDP but you guys are going so badly even I feel for you.
Develop some policies. Put together a plan. Run some candidates.
You're obsolete.
David Amos
Reply to James Risdon
You finally read something?
Reply to James Risdon
Reply to James Risdon
can't expect this article to include everything
No seats since 2003... this is the future for the current Federal government...
David Amos
Reply to Holley Hardin
It appears to be so
MR Cain
Rebates are not a good idea; better to have food stamps to ensure food is purchased and not booze or smokes.
Holley Hardin
Reply to MR Cain
So like a Walmart in the US...they stand out in the parking lot selling their allotment of diapers and formula they got with their stamps...
David Amos
Reply to Holley Hardin
Too funny
Reply to Holley Hardin
Doesn't matter one way or another. Easy to ensure what is intended.
Graham McCormack
The NDP are not relevant and will continue to be not relevant.
David Wilson
Reply to Graham McCormack
The were certainly relevant federally, at least until they broke their agreement with the Libetals.
Reply to Graham McCormack
Liberals
Reply to David Wilson
This article is about the provincial party; they haven't been relevant in at least 2 decades.
David Amos
Reply to Graham McCormack
The big parties said that of them in 2004
David Amos
Reply to Graham McCormack
Gee what was I doing in 2004?
Oh yea running against the provincial leader of the NDP. Then perhaps I should mention who was who in the zoo when I ran 2005, 2006, 2015 2018 and 2019 Correct?
David Sampson
What NB needs is not a resurgence of the NDP but a resurrection of the PROGRESSIVE Conservative Party given that Higgs has transformed the conservatives into a mirror of the western regional reform fundamentalist movement that is masquerading as a national political party!
David Amos
Reply to David Sampson
Amen
David Sampson
The NDP is as popular in NB as the Alberta Wildrose Party would be if they choose to run candidates outside Alberta, zero support.
David Amos
Reply to David Sampson
The NDP never were a player in NB
Bob Smith
I'd like to see a viable alternative to the Liberals/Conservative turnstile that has governed this province after every election. Sadly, none exist at present. The NDP are still a mess and will take years to rebuild.
David Amos
Reply to Bob Smith
Loo for them to reappear on or about the 12th of Never
Harold Reagan
Voting locations top secret? Must we call head office to find out. It does work, but I'm used to being notified in full and well in advance. Hopefully most of us bother to make that call.
Dianne MacPherson
Reply to Harold Reagan
I have received Voting info
in my Riding, same as always.
Graham McCormack
Reply to Harold Reagan
If you didn't receive you voter's card, call the returning office. That's how it works.
David Amos
Reply to Graham McCormack
He knows that
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