The Newfoundland and Labrador New Democratic Party held its 2026 convention, Together We Can, this weekend as party delegates and supporters gathered to discuss provincial priorities and the federal party’s path forward.
Leaders take the floor
On Saturday morning, provincial leader Jim Dinn addressed delegates, focusing on local concerns that have dominated recent public debate — notably the recent Churchill Falls discussion in the House of Assembly — along with broader issues of housing and affordability facing people across the province.
Joining the convention was federal NDP leader Avi Lewis, who spoke to the crowd about Canada’s relationship with the United States and reflected on the party’s performance in the last federal election. Lewis described last year’s result as a “catastrophic loss” for the national party and outlined the need for a rebuilding effort ahead of future federal campaigns.
New programming and policy focus
The weekend’s agenda introduced a new feature called "Dispatches," modelled on the TED Talk format. The segment promises focused talks on issues that party members say hit home in Newfoundland and Labrador.
Topics scheduled for the Dispatches include the high cost of medication, climate change and accessibility challenges for people with disabilities — all issues delegates cited as drivers of policy debate at the convention.
| Session | Focus |
|---|---|
| Saturday speeches | Churchill Falls, housing, affordability |
| Dispatches | Medication costs, climate, accessibility |
| Affordability panel | Community and policy responses |
Affordability panel to feature community voices
An afternoon panel on affordability is scheduled to include representatives from community and policy organisations. Panelists listed for the discussion are Lesley Burgess of Bridges to Hope, Patrice Gordon (Childcare), and Christine Saulnier of the CCPA-NS, with the session hosted by Meghan Hollett.
- Topics slated for the panel include housing pressures and the rising cost of living.
- Speakers come from both front-line service organisations and policy research backgrounds.
- Delegates will hear proposals aimed at immediate relief and longer-term structural change.
Local implications
For Newfoundland and Labrador, the convention serves multiple purposes: it is a forum to shape the province’s NDP platform ahead of future provincial and federal contests, a chance to highlight everyday pressures on residents, and an opportunity for the federal party to reconnect with grassroots supporters after a difficult federal result.
Housing and affordability have been enduring themes across the province, particularly in St. John’s and other urban centres where rental and purchase costs have shaped family decisions and service demand. The inclusion of medication cost and accessibility in the Dispatches signals an effort to broaden the conversation beyond immediate economic concerns to matters of health and equity that affect many residents.
What delegates will watch for
Delegates will be watching for concrete policy proposals emerging from the sessions and panels — measures they can promote locally and press on other levels of government. They will also be gauging the federal party’s strategy as outlined by Avi Lewis, particularly how the NDP intends to rebuild after the losses described by the leader.
With the provincial party positioning itself around affordability and public services, the convention’s output may influence how Newfoundlanders and Labradorians view the NDP’s readiness to present alternatives to the governing parties on those issues.
Coverage of the convention will continue as sessions wrap up and proposals are adopted. Delegates and observers say they expect the debates and Dispatches to inform the party’s public messaging in the months ahead.
Reporting from the convention draws on event material released by the Newfoundland and Labrador NDP and session listings provided to delegates.
