Alison Coffin

Alison Coffin MHA (born 1970) is a Canadian politician, who was formerly the leader of the Newfoundland and Labrador New Democratic Party (NL NDP). She is a former member of the Newfoundland and Labrador House of Assembly. In her professional life, she has developed policy and strategic plans for the provincial government, taught at Memorial University, and consulted on public policy, pension plans, and the provincial budget. For several years, she also ran a successful consulting company.

Alison Coffin
MHA
Coffin in 2020
Leader of the Newfoundland and Labrador New Democratic Party
In office
March 5, 2019 – October 19, 2021
Preceded byGerry Rogers
Succeeded byJim Dinn (interim)
Member of the Newfoundland and Labrador House of Assembly
for St. John's East-Quidi Vidi
In office
May 16, 2019 – March 27, 2021
Preceded byLorraine Michael
Succeeded byJohn Abbott
Personal details
Born1970 (age 52–53)
Corner Brook, Newfoundland, Canada
Political partyNew Democratic
Residence(s)St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador
Occupationeconomist,
university professor

Background

Coffin was born in Corner Brook and was raised in Joe Batt's Arm along with two brothers. She graduated from Memorial University with an economics degree in 1993 and later completed her master's degree at York University in Toronto, graduating in 1997.[1] She splits her time between St. John's, Brigus, and Spaniard's Bay with her partner Ian Coombs.[2]

Professionally, Coffin is an economist and university professor. Her most recent professional publication, "Taking Politics out of Governance", included in The Democracy Cookbook[3] outlines straightforward suggestions for better provincial budgeting, spending, and planning.

Politics

Coffin ran for the NL NDP in the 2015 provincial election in Waterford Valley. She ran for the provincial party leadership election in April 2018, losing to MHA Gerry Rogers.[4][5][6] After Rogers resigned, Coffin was elected leader unopposed in March 2019.[7][8] She was confirmed as the party's new leader at a news conference on March 5, 2019.[9] Coffin is a former associate president of the provincial party.

Coffin led the party into the 2019 provincial election; despite only nominating 14 candidates (out of a possible 40) the party won 3 seats.[10] Coffin won St. John's East-Quidi Vidi holding it for the NDP, while the party led St. John's Centre, and won an upset in Labrador West.[11][12][13]

Coffin led the party into the 2021 provincial election. She was personally defeated in her district of St. John's East-Quidi Vidi; while the party held St. John's Centre and Labrador West.[14] Coffin filed for a recount.[15] On May 12, 2021, Supreme Court Justice Donald Burrage rejected Coffin's bid for a recount, arguing that there was not sufficient evidence.[16]

On October 16, 2021, Coffin lost a leadership review by party members.[17] She later chose to resign on October 19 and was replaced by MHA Jim Dinn as interim leader.[18]

Electoral history
2021 Newfoundland and Labrador general election: St. John's East-Quidi Vidi
Party Candidate Votes%±%
LiberalJohn Abbott2,44742.95+9.57
New DemocraticAlison Coffin2,39442.02−1.46
Progressive ConservativeVaughn Hammond85615.03−8.11
Total valid votes 5,697
Total rejected ballots
Turnout
Eligible voters
Liberal gain from New Democratic Swing −5.52
Source(s)
"Officially Nominated Candidates General Election 2021" (PDF). Elections Newfoundland and Labrador. Retrieved 3 March 2021.
"NL Election 2021 (Unofficial Results)". Retrieved 27 March 2021.
2019 Newfoundland and Labrador general election
Party Candidate Votes%±%
New DemocraticAlison Coffin2,69943.48-8.17
LiberalGeorge Murphy2,07233.38-6.83
Progressive ConservativeDavid Porter1,43623.14+15.01
Total valid votes 6,20799.12
Total rejected ballots 550.88-0.13
Turnout 6,26258.03+1.23
Eligible voters 10,791
New Democratic hold Swing -0.67
Source: Elections Newfoundland and Labrador[19]
2015 Newfoundland and Labrador general election: Waterford Valley
Party Candidate Votes%±%
LiberalTom Osborne3,58865.93–
New DemocraticAlison Coffin1,06219.52–
Progressive ConservativeAlison Stoodley79214.55–
Total valid votes 5,44299.51–
Total rejected ballots 270.49–
Turnout 5,46955.20–
Eligible voters 9,907
Liberal notional hold Swing –
Source: Elections Newfoundland and Labrador[20]
2018 New Democratic Party of Newfoundland and Labrador leadership election
First Ballot
Candidate Votes Perc.
Gerry Rogers 971 67.0%
Alison Coffin 479 33.0%
Spoiled Ballots 0 0.0%
Totals 1450 100%

References
  1. "Alison Coffin, Newfoundland and Labrador's NDP Leader, is an economist and athlete". Kamloops This Week. Retrieved 2021-01-19.
  2. "QuickSketch: N.L. New Democratic Party Leader Alison Coffin". Lillooet News. 17 April 2019. Retrieved 5 May 2019.
  3. Marland, Alex; Moore, Lisa, eds. (2017). "56". The Democracy Cookbook: Recipes to Renew Governance in Newfoundland and Labrador. ISER Books. pp. 264–267. ISBN 978-1-894725-44-6. Retrieved 25 November 2020.
  4. Maher, David (25 March 2018). "Coffin, Rogers duke it out for NDP leadership". The Southern Gazette. Archived from the original on 26 March 2018. Retrieved 26 March 2018.
  5. "Gerry Rogers or Alison Coffin? NDP leadership convention kicks off in St. John's". CBC News Newfoundland and Labrador, April 7, 2018.
  6. "Gerry Rogers wins NDP leadership race". The Telegram. April 8, 2018. Retrieved 2018-05-14.
  7. "Alison Coffin declares for NDP leadership; Mark Gruchy considering". NTV News. 13 February 2019. Archived from the original on 17 September 2020. Retrieved 14 March 2022.
  8. Maher, David (March 5, 2019). "Alison Coffin acclaimed as leader of Newfoundland and Labrador NDP". The Telegram. Retrieved Nov 25, 2020.
  9. "Alison Coffin named new leader of provincial NDP". NTV News. 5 March 2019. Archived from the original on 6 March 2019. Retrieved 5 March 2019.
  10. Roberts, Kelly-Anne (May 17, 2019). "'We have the balance of power,' Alison Coffin says as NDP wins three seats". NTV. Archived from the original on January 22, 2022. Retrieved May 24, 2019.
  11. Roberts, Terry (May 15, 2019). "Alison Coffin 'tingly' as NDP campaign enters home stretch, with everything on the line". CBC News. Retrieved Nov 25, 2020.
  12. "'No deals' to prop up Liberal minority just yet, says NDP leader". CBC News. May 22, 2019. Retrieved Nov 25, 2020.
  13. MacEachern, Daniel (May 16, 2019). "Exuberant NDP celebrates 'new era' as it holds St. John's seats, and wins back Labrador West". CBC News. Retrieved Nov 25, 2020.
  14. Mullin, Malone (March 27, 2021). "Liberals claim slim majority in Newfoundland and Labrador, as voters tap Furey to lead". CBC News. Retrieved March 27, 2021.
  15. Smellie, Sarah (2021-04-01). "Leader of Newfoundland and Labrador NDP files for recount after 53-vote election loss". Atlantic. Retrieved 2021-04-02.
  16. "Judge dismisses Coffin's bid for recount in St. John's East-Quidi Vidi". CBC News. 12 May 2021. Retrieved 20 October 2021.
  17. "N.L. NDP delegates vote in favour of leadership review". CBC News Newfoundland and Labrador, October 16, 2021.
  18. "Alison Coffin steps down as leader of Newfoundland and Labrador's New Democrats". CTV Atlantic, October 19, 2021.
  19. "Official Results of the 2019 Provincial Election" (PDF). Elections Newfoundland and Labrador. 19 May 2019. Retrieved 24 May 2019.
  20. "2015 Provincial General Election Report" (PDF). Elections Newfoundland and Labrador. 25 July 2016. Archived from the original (PDF) on 18 July 2017. Retrieved 21 November 2018.
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