About
The roots of the NDP in New Brunswick date back to the early twentieth century. In 1902, the Fredericton Socialist League was founded by Henry Stuart. By World War I, branches were established in McAdam, Albert, Newcastle and Saint John. By the 1930s the links between democratic socialism and the labour movement were well forged in New Brunswick. It was natural that New Brunswickers would become part of a broader political movement that was developing in Canada.
The Co-operative Commonwealth Federation (CCF) was started during and in response to the Depression. At the time its goals were considered revolutionary: public medical services; public transportation, electricity and other industries; worker protection against accident, illness and unemployment; the establishment of an old age pension.
In 1933 the Moncton Trades and Labour Council adopted a resolution to create a branch of the CCF in New Brunswick. On June 23 of that year, the New Brunswick CCF was born.
The transition from the CCF to the NDP began in 1956 and led to the creation of the NDP in 1961. In New Brunswick the NDP found a core of support among trade unionists, academics and former CCFers. The NDP made substantial gains in New Brunswick in the 1970s. After a rocky start the NDP gained popularity for its positions and forged links with the Acadian community.
The 1980's saw many breakthroughs. As the decade opened Elizabeth Weir became Provincial Secretary. In 1982 Bob Hall became the first NDP MLA in New Brunswick history with his victory in Tantramar. In 1987 Elizabeth Weir was elected Leader of the New Brunswick NDP, the first woman chosen Leader of a political party in New Brunswick. In the 1991 provincial election Elizabeth won her seat in Saint John South, becoming both the first NDP Leader and the first female Leader ever elected to the New Brunswick Legislature. She was re-elected in the constituency of Saint John Harbour in the provincial elections of 1995, 1999 and 2003.
On October 8, 2004, Elizabeth Weir announced that she would step down as Leader. In September of 2005, at the Party's Convention, Allison Brewer was elected Leader of the NB NDP. Allison Brewer resigned in early November 2006 and Party President, Pat Hanratty was appointed Interim Leader.
In the Fall of 2007, at a convention in Moncton Roger Duguay was elected Leader. During his Leadership Campaign Roger Duguay traveled the province and signed up over 500 new members. He has run as a candidate for the NDP 3 times and he had the strongest NDP showing of any candidate in the most recent provincial election.
Member's Guide
The New Brunswick NDP is a grassroots political organization aimed at electing Members of the Legislative Assembly who will influence decisions surrounding government policy and legislation based on our principles. In between elections, members can engage in a wide range of activities, based on their available time and interest, that communicate our ideas and support the growth of the party.
Ironically, the principles upon which our party was founded in response to the Depression are the very ones under attack in this so-called period of prosperity. The federal Conservative and New Brunswick Liberal policies have placed our Medicare, education system, public utilities, environment and worker protection in jeopardy. Their determination to pacify calls for cuts to key public programs in order to offer tax cuts has eroded the foundation of Canadian society and our communities.
Your membership and support are vital to leading the fight against these harmful policies and to developing the thoughtful solutions so badly needed in these increasingly complex times. The hard work and involvement of members like you will earn the NDP the MLAs we need to take these fights to a place where we can really make a difference -- the New Brunswick Legislature. Thank you for taking the first step in helping us to achieve that goal.
