Getting down to work
New NDP president says she hopes to ‘coach’ the party to success
Leah-Jane Hayward wants to whip the provincial NDP into shape.
Hayward was acclaimed as the party’s new president during this weekend’s AGM at the Rodd Charlottetown Hotel.
She made it clear her goal was to help get the party into the provincial legislature, while also referencing recent difficulties in communication among the party’s executive.
“The president’s role I see it as being like a coach. You’re going to whip the team into shape and make them winners,” said Hayward, who was previously the party’s treasurer.
“As we heard today, communications is a bit of a difficult thing with this party.”
Near the start of the AGM, recording secretary Joanna Callaghan advised any incoming executive members to work on the party’s communications. She also recommended an orientation session for executive members.
“It has been a challenging time during this period,” said Callaghan, pointing to complications arising from the departure of the party’s previous president and membership secretary partway through their terms.
“(That) made it very difficult to have an effective and functioning executive… I just believe we have work to do in strengthening our effective communications.”
However, the first priority for members now is to get leader Mike Redmond elected in the District 11 byelection, with one member calling on her peers to put aside any of the party’s internal issues to focus on the campaign.
During the leader’s speech, Redmond said proportional representation and the province’s refusal to act on last year’s plebiscite is a key issue in the byelection.
He said the majority of District 11 residents who voted in last year’s plebiscite supported proportional representation.
“We will carry that message to each and every one of those doors,” said Redmond, who also addressed a number of other issues during his speech, including greater resources and support in mental health and education, providing a basic income guarantee and rural economic development.
Redmond said the province was at a pivotal time when it comes to trade agreements, labour rights and social justice issues.
“We need each and every one of you to address those issues by standing up with me, by standing with the party… and fighting to win that seat,” said Redmond.
“It’s imperative that each and every one of you fight for an NDP member in the legislature. Because when we do that… the whole conversation changes.”
Hayward also emphasized the importance of getting an NDP seat in the legislature through the byelection.
“Mike is the voice of many Islanders who are not heard in that legislature, so that’s the immediate job,” said Hayward.
The AGM also saw the party pass a number of resolutions including a call for the halt of construction on Aquabounty’s new facility until a “complete and comprehensive” environmental impact review was completed.
Other resolutions stated the NDP would implement a “made in P.E.I.” carbon emission reduction plan, as well as calls for a basic income guarantee and providing free access to the abortion drug Mifegymiso.