‘I love the springtime’: Kinew hints at early election as NDP gathers for annual convention

New Democrats from across Manitoba are gathering in Winnipeg to debate policy resolutions and get ready for a provincial election that must happen by Oct. 5 — but could come much sooner.

The party has $3.5 million to spend on the campaign and plans to expand its majority in the legislature, Premier Wab Kinew told reporters Friday.

“We’ve got enough candidates to grow our majority to represent you right across this great province,” the NDP leader said ahead of delivering a report to the 400 registered delegates at the RBC Convention Centre.

The NDP has 34 of the 57 seats in the legislature. The Progressive Conservatives have 19, mostly in rural Manitoba outside of vote-rich Winnipeg.

“We’re election-ready and we’re looking forward to having a great convention weekend with a lot of lively debate with the members of our party — the focus on making life more affordable, fix health care for you,” Kinew said.

When asked if he plans to call an early election, Kinew would only rule out an election before the end of this year.

“We are heading into an election year and the opposition says they’re ready and we are definitely ready,” the premier said, suggesting it could be called before the fall.

“I love the springtime and we’ll have a budget in the spring and lots of exciting things to talk about,” Kinew said.

He was asked if he’s advised his caucus to prepare for an early campaign.

“I’m always encouraging our caucus to be ready,” he said.

One of the major promises his government made was to balance the province’s books during its first term in office, and Kinew said he expects the spring budget will seal the deal.

National NDP Leader Avi Lewis is on deck to speak at the convention Saturday morning. The Manitoba NDP’s fall fundraising gala is Saturday night, and more than 800 tickets have been sold, the party said in a news release.

Attendance is up after last year’s convention was held in Brandon.

“There’s definitely growing numbers and building momentum as we get closer to the election,” party secretary Evan Krosney said Friday.

The Manitoba NDP website indicates the party is planning for a “critical election year.”

“We always need to get ready as we get closer to the election,” Krosney said.

The party is in good financial shape, he said.

In 2025, the NDP received more than $1.6 million in contributions during the calendar year and reported a $1.4-million surplus, Elections Manitoba financial disclosures show. In 2024, it received more than $1.5 million in contributions and reported a surplus of $835,306. On Friday, members learned the party has $3.5 million to fund its 2027 campaign.

“We’ve been building a pretty healthy war chest over the last few years and breaking many, many fundraising records each year,” Krosney said.

The party and its leader are still riding high in polls that show the NDP well ahead of the opposition Progressive Conservatives.

Sixty per cent of those surveyed in a quarterly Free Press-Abacus Data poll in September said they would vote for the New Democrats and 29 per cent said they would back PCs.

Seven per cent would support the Liberals, while 18 per cent were undecided.

Kinew said that in his 2023 election night speech, he reached out to rural Manitoba voters.

“One of the things that I said is to rural Manitoba, if after a few years in government, you can say your health care is improved and the cost of living has been helped, then I’d ask you to send people to sit around the table with us.”

On Friday, Kinew was asked if his government has achieved those goals.

“Those are the big questions that Manitobans are asking,” he said.

The convention concludes Sunday afternoon.

carol.sanders@winnipegfreepress.com