NDP members on P.E.I. remain optimistic

The NDP doesn'thave a seat in the provincial legislature, and itscandidates didn't win any of the four federal seats last fall, but Island delegates say the party remains strong in P.E.I. and will continue to grow.

About 40 people attended the party's annual convention Saturday in Summerside.

• Calls for renewal of NDP not surprising, says former P.E.I. candidate
• P.E.I. delegates have opposing views on federal NDP leadership review
• P.E.I. NDP leader wants summit to eradicate child poverty

Jocelin Anderson, who joined the NDP last summer, said she's encouraged by the number of young people getting involved.

"We have a lot of energetic people," she said. "When I was at the convention in Edmonton, there was a large youth delegation there, and it's so encouraging to see youth actually get involved. I think we're gonna build and we're gonna grow."

One of those young people is Thomas Burleigh. At 17, he's decided that the NDP is the party for him.

"It is very exciting, it feels like I'm a part of something, feels like I'm part of a movement," he said.

Burleigh said the NDP's calls for proportional representation and electoral reform, among other policies and plans, drew him to the party.

"I know the party had a setback provincially and federally with recent elections, but I see the next couple years moving forward as being very beneficial," he said. "I think we'll be able to recoup ourselves and get back into the game."

• MORE P.E.I. NEWS | Alison Larkin, P.E.I.'s first female fire chief: No more 'boys' club'
• MORE P.E.I. NEWS | P.E.I. grass-burning tradition more harmful than helpful, says forestry official