Jordan Brown says he has confidence in NDP's future as he reflects on his political career

CBC

22-05-2025

Even though he's planning to walk away from politics, Labrador West MHA Jordan Brown says he will always be a New Democrat.
He was only 30 years old when he was elected to the House of Assembly in 2019 and then re-elected in 2021. On Friday he announced he is not running in the next provincial election, which has to happen by mid-October.
Brown, now 36 with a young family, says the plane rides, hotel stays and time away from home has been difficult.
"I have young kids at home that, you know, they're calling me and saying, you know, 'Dad, I did this. Dad, I did that today,'" he told reporters on Tuesday.
"It does take a toll on an individual."
Brown is one of two NDP MHAs in Newfoundland and Labrador, the other being party leader Jim Dinn, but he says his decision has nothing to do with the party's small presence in the House of Assembly.
Brown says it's Dinn's leadership that makes him confident of the party's future.
"He understands the situation in my district," he told CBC Radio's Labrador Morning.
"With the housing crisis in this province and the addictions and mental health issues that are going on, you know that there's a certain kind of caring hand that needs to be out there."
Brown believes the sense of compassion within the party will continue to grow under Dinn.
In July of 2024, Torngat Mountains MHA Lela Evans left the NDP caucus to rejoin Progressive Conservatives, bringing the NDP's presence in the House of Assembly back to two.
In his six years holding political office, Brown says he's proud residents of his district saw a more efficient medical travel assistance program and the Wabush portion of the highway was paved.
"We've managed to secure power for the future of Labrador West."
But he says there's still work to be done. For one, the outgoing MHA says he would have liked to see more progress on seniors' housing construction and wants to see it move forward before he leaves office.
Brown hopes the next Labrador West MHA is someone who is there for everyone.
"Make sure that you're available and you're present when they need help," he said Wednesday.