SCOOP — With the party gearing up for a federal and provincial election, the NDP’s upcoming policy convention is no more.
“At the recommendation of the campaign director and election planning committee chair, the [Admin Committee] unanimously voted to postpone the upcoming provincial convention,” wrote president Janelle Brady and provincial director Kevin Beaulieu in a Saturday email to delegates and local presidents.
SCOOP — With the party gearing up for a federal and provincial election, the NDP’s upcoming policy convention is no more.
“At the recommendation of the campaign director and election planning committee chair, the [Admin Committee] unanimously voted to postpone the upcoming provincial convention,” wrote president Janelle Brady and provincial director Kevin Beaulieu in a Saturday email to delegates and local presidents.
SCOOP — With the party gearing up for a federal and provincial election, the NDP’s upcoming policy convention is no more.
“At the recommendation of the campaign director and election planning committee chair, the [Admin Committee] unanimously voted to postpone the upcoming provincial convention,” wrote president Janelle Brady and provincial director Kevin Beaulieu in a Saturday email to delegates and local presidents.
The decision, Brady and Beaulieu explained, was made in response to Jagmeet Singh’s vow to topple the Trudeau government in January, triggering an early federal election. Facing the potential of two concurrent campaigns, the idea is to free up central and local resources to maximize readiness amid an “unprecedented period of political turmoil.”
“... It remains our belief that the Progressive Conservatives are preparing to call a provincial election before the next federal, and that there is a serious possibility that the writ periods for the two elections may both fall in the next two months — and even overlap.”
Behind the scenes, the party is now gearing up for a surprise writ drop, as early as January. “It’s pretty clear that a federal election will be happening sooner rather than later. Our belief is that this means an even earlier provincial election,” said a senior source, granted anonymity to discuss internal strategy.
“This is why we have decided to postpone our convention and focus all of our time and resources into getting election ready for a potential January or February election,” they added. “This means nomination blitzes, getting local campaign teams ready, fundraising and making sure that [Stiles] is on the road and visible in as many communities as possible”
“The time required to plan a convention is massive,” a second source said. Those resources are better spent on election planning.”
The convention — Marit Stiles’ first since taking the helm — was pitched as an election readiness boot camp. In an October email, it was described as “a weekend full of inspiration, consultation and preparation for the next election.” The party has already kicked campaign mode into high gear, launching an ad blitz and tour to pump up their captain, drawing in top talent and recruiting candidates.
But privately, some say Stiles is dodging a discontented base and a brewing policy clash on the convention floor.
“Marit is facing internal criticism — and members not wanting to support her or even their local candidate — because of her ejection of Sarah Jama from caucus. This was going to be a topic of discussion at the convention,” said one source familiar.
A motion on Jama and the war in Gaza was expected to be debated. Stiles previously apologized for Jama’s controversial ouster, which, she said, fell short for many of those who “saw themselves represented in her.”
A second resolution on nuclear energy was set to stir a sharp divide. “The leader and her team were prepared to entertain a very divisive, ill advised, pro nuke motion,” the source said. The motion, they said, would “give the leader wiggle room to endorse wasteful and dangerous nuclear power plants, instead of sticking to real renewable energy.”
Behind closed doors, nuclear energy has quietly split Stiles’ caucus. Keeping labour jobs intact has been a key motivator for those pushing for pro-nuclear energy policies, while others have made the case for renewable alternatives.
“This would have been another big floor fight at the convention just weeks before an expected early provincial election and at a time when the leader should be trying to project party unity,” the source added.
“Just frustrating and exhausting as an unpaid volunteer to have people call me in literal tears because they feel like they were robbed by the party,” wrote a member of the party's youth wing on X. “... This decision could’ve been better executed.”
Some see it as a win in disguise. “We’re already running campaign schools across the province which are much more accessible than a three day trip to Toronto. Platform consultations have been ongoing for literally years. We put ten policies to a vote in the legislature in the last three months,” wrote the party's legislative director on X. “Conventions hemorrhage money.”
Meanwhile, Bonnie HQ threw some cheeky shade of their own:
“Can you imagine the uproar if the Liberals cancelled a policy convention,” texted one Liberal source. “'We've cancelled our policy convention to spend more time with our election readiness' — what?”
No new convention date has been set. The party will host a Zoom call for delegates early next month to answer questions about the postponement.
SCOOP — With the party gearing up for a federal and provincial election, the NDP’s upcoming policy convention is no more.
“At the recommendation of the campaign director and election planning committee chair, the [Admin Committee] unanimously voted to postpone the upcoming provincial convention,” wrote president Janelle Brady and provincial director Kevin Beaulieu in a Saturday email to delegates and local presidents.
The decision, Brady and Beaulieu explained, was made in response to Jagmeet Singh’s vow to topple the Trudeau government in January, triggering an early federal election. Facing the potential of two concurrent campaigns, the idea is to free up central and local resources to maximize readiness amid an “unprecedented period of political turmoil.”
“... It remains our belief that the Progressive Conservatives are preparing to call a provincial election before the next federal, and that there is a serious possibility that the writ periods for the two elections may both fall in the next two months — and even overlap.”
Behind the scenes, the party is now gearing up for a surprise writ drop, as early as January. “It’s pretty clear that a federal election will be happening sooner rather than later. Our belief is that this means an even earlier provincial election,” said a senior source, granted anonymity to discuss internal strategy.
“This is why we have decided to postpone our convention and focus all of our time and resources into getting election ready for a potential January or February election,” they added. “This means nomination blitzes, getting local campaign teams ready, fundraising and making sure that [Stiles] is on the road and visible in as many communities as possible”
“The time required to plan a convention is massive,” a second source said. Those resources are better spent on election planning.”
The convention — Marit Stiles’ first since taking the helm — was pitched as an election readiness boot camp. In an October email, it was described as “a weekend full of inspiration, consultation and preparation for the next election.” The party has already kicked campaign mode into high gear, launching an ad blitz and tour to pump up their captain, drawing in top talent and recruiting candidates.
But privately, some say Stiles is dodging a discontented base and a brewing policy clash on the convention floor.
“Marit is facing internal criticism — and members not wanting to support her or even their local candidate — because of her ejection of Sarah Jama from caucus. This was going to be a topic of discussion at the convention,” said one source familiar.
A motion on Jama and the war in Gaza was expected to be debated. Stiles previously apologized for Jama’s controversial ouster, which, she said, fell short for many of those who “saw themselves represented in her.”
A second resolution on nuclear energy was set to stir a sharp divide. “The leader and her team were prepared to entertain a very divisive, ill advised, pro nuke motion,” the source said. The motion, they said, would “give the leader wiggle room to endorse wasteful and dangerous nuclear power plants, instead of sticking to real renewable energy.”
Behind closed doors, nuclear energy has quietly split Stiles’ caucus. Keeping labour jobs intact has been a key motivator for those pushing for pro-nuclear energy policies, while others have made the case for renewable alternatives.
“This would have been another big floor fight at the convention just weeks before an expected early provincial election and at a time when the leader should be trying to project party unity,” the source added.
“Just frustrating and exhausting as an unpaid volunteer to have people call me in literal tears because they feel like they were robbed by the party,” wrote a member of the party's youth wing on X. “... This decision could’ve been better executed.”
Some see it as a win in disguise. “We’re already running campaign schools across the province which are much more accessible than a three day trip to Toronto. Platform consultations have been ongoing for literally years. We put ten policies to a vote in the legislature in the last three months,” wrote the party's legislative director on X. “Conventions hemorrhage money.”
Meanwhile, Bonnie HQ threw some cheeky shade of their own:
“Can you imagine the uproar if the Liberals cancelled a policy convention,” texted one Liberal source. “'We've cancelled our policy convention to spend more time with our election readiness' — what?”
No new convention date has been set. The party will host a Zoom call for delegates early next month to answer questions about the postponement.
SCOOP — With the party gearing up for a federal and provincial election, the NDP’s upcoming policy convention is no more.
“At the recommendation of the campaign director and election planning committee chair, the [Admin Committee] unanimously voted to postpone the upcoming provincial convention,” wrote president Janelle Brady and provincial director Kevin Beaulieu in a Saturday email to delegates and local presidents.
The decision, Brady and Beaulieu explained, was made in response to Jagmeet Singh’s vow to topple the Trudeau government in January, triggering an early federal election. Facing the potential of two concurrent campaigns, the idea is to free up central and local resources to maximize readiness amid an “unprecedented period of political turmoil.”
“... It remains our belief that the Progressive Conservatives are preparing to call a provincial election before the next federal, and that there is a serious possibility that the writ periods for the two elections may both fall in the next two months — and even overlap.”
Behind the scenes, the party is now gearing up for a surprise writ drop, as early as January. “It’s pretty clear that a federal election will be happening sooner rather than later. Our belief is that this means an even earlier provincial election,” said a senior source, granted anonymity to discuss internal strategy.
“This is why we have decided to postpone our convention and focus all of our time and resources into getting election ready for a potential January or February election,” they added. “This means nomination blitzes, getting local campaign teams ready, fundraising and making sure that [Stiles] is on the road and visible in as many communities as possible”
“The time required to plan a convention is massive,” a second source said. Those resources are better spent on election planning.”
The convention — Marit Stiles’ first since taking the helm — was pitched as an election readiness boot camp. In an October email, it was described as “a weekend full of inspiration, consultation and preparation for the next election.” The party has already kicked campaign mode into high gear, launching an ad blitz and tour to pump up their captain, drawing in top talent and recruiting candidates.
But privately, some say Stiles is dodging a discontented base and a brewing policy clash on the convention floor.
“Marit is facing internal criticism — and members not wanting to support her or even their local candidate — because of her ejection of Sarah Jama from caucus. This was going to be a topic of discussion at the convention,” said one source familiar.
A motion on Jama and the war in Gaza was expected to be debated. Stiles previously apologized for Jama’s controversial ouster, which, she said, fell short for many of those who “saw themselves represented in her.”
A second resolution on nuclear energy was set to stir a sharp divide. “The leader and her team were prepared to entertain a very divisive, ill advised, pro nuke motion,” the source said. The motion, they said, would “give the leader wiggle room to endorse wasteful and dangerous nuclear power plants, instead of sticking to real renewable energy.”
Behind closed doors, nuclear energy has quietly split Stiles’ caucus. Keeping labour jobs intact has been a key motivator for those pushing for pro-nuclear energy policies, while others have made the case for renewable alternatives.
“This would have been another big floor fight at the convention just weeks before an expected early provincial election and at a time when the leader should be trying to project party unity,” the source added.
“Just frustrating and exhausting as an unpaid volunteer to have people call me in literal tears because they feel like they were robbed by the party,” wrote a member of the party's youth wing on X. “... This decision could’ve been better executed.”
Some see it as a win in disguise. “We’re already running campaign schools across the province which are much more accessible than a three day trip to Toronto. Platform consultations have been ongoing for literally years. We put ten policies to a vote in the legislature in the last three months,” wrote the party's legislative director on X. “Conventions hemorrhage money.”
Meanwhile, Bonnie HQ threw some cheeky shade of their own:
“Can you imagine the uproar if the Liberals cancelled a policy convention,” texted one Liberal source. “'We've cancelled our policy convention to spend more time with our election readiness' — what?”
No new convention date has been set. The party will host a Zoom call for delegates early next month to answer questions about the postponement.
SCOOP — With the party gearing up for a federal and provincial election, the NDP’s upcoming policy convention is no more.
“At the recommendation of the campaign director and election planning committee chair, the [Admin Committee] unanimously voted to postpone the upcoming provincial convention,” wrote president Janelle Brady and provincial director Kevin Beaulieu in a Saturday email to delegates and local presidents.
The decision, Brady and Beaulieu explained, was made in response to Jagmeet Singh’s vow to topple the Trudeau government in January, triggering an early federal election. Facing the potential of two concurrent campaigns, the idea is to free up central and local resources to maximize readiness amid an “unprecedented period of political turmoil.”
“... It remains our belief that the Progressive Conservatives are preparing to call a provincial election before the next federal, and that there is a serious possibility that the writ periods for the two elections may both fall in the next two months — and even overlap.”
Behind the scenes, the party is now gearing up for a surprise writ drop, as early as January. “It’s pretty clear that a federal election will be happening sooner rather than later. Our belief is that this means an even earlier provincial election,” said a senior source, granted anonymity to discuss internal strategy.
“This is why we have decided to postpone our convention and focus all of our time and resources into getting election ready for a potential January or February election,” they added. “This means nomination blitzes, getting local campaign teams ready, fundraising and making sure that [Stiles] is on the road and visible in as many communities as possible”
“The time required to plan a convention is massive,” a second source said. Those resources are better spent on election planning.”
The convention — Marit Stiles’ first since taking the helm — was pitched as an election readiness boot camp. In an October email, it was described as “a weekend full of inspiration, consultation and preparation for the next election.” The party has already kicked campaign mode into high gear, launching an ad blitz and tour to pump up their captain, drawing in top talent and recruiting candidates.
But privately, some say Stiles is dodging a discontented base and a brewing policy clash on the convention floor.
“Marit is facing internal criticism — and members not wanting to support her or even their local candidate — because of her ejection of Sarah Jama from caucus. This was going to be a topic of discussion at the convention,” said one source familiar.
A motion on Jama and the war in Gaza was expected to be debated. Stiles previously apologized for Jama’s controversial ouster, which, she said, fell short for many of those who “saw themselves represented in her.”
A second resolution on nuclear energy was set to stir a sharp divide. “The leader and her team were prepared to entertain a very divisive, ill advised, pro nuke motion,” the source said. The motion, they said, would “give the leader wiggle room to endorse wasteful and dangerous nuclear power plants, instead of sticking to real renewable energy.”
Behind closed doors, nuclear energy has quietly split Stiles’ caucus. Keeping labour jobs intact has been a key motivator for those pushing for pro-nuclear energy policies, while others have made the case for renewable alternatives.
“This would have been another big floor fight at the convention just weeks before an expected early provincial election and at a time when the leader should be trying to project party unity,” the source added.
“Just frustrating and exhausting as an unpaid volunteer to have people call me in literal tears because they feel like they were robbed by the party,” wrote a member of the party's youth wing on X. “... This decision could’ve been better executed.”
Some see it as a win in disguise. “We’re already running campaign schools across the province which are much more accessible than a three day trip to Toronto. Platform consultations have been ongoing for literally years. We put ten policies to a vote in the legislature in the last three months,” wrote the party's legislative director on X. “Conventions hemorrhage money.”
Meanwhile, Bonnie HQ threw some cheeky shade of their own:
“Can you imagine the uproar if the Liberals cancelled a policy convention,” texted one Liberal source. “'We've cancelled our policy convention to spend more time with our election readiness' — what?”
No new convention date has been set. The party will host a Zoom call for delegates early next month to answer questions about the postponement.