Mackenzie Thomason Steps Down As NDP Leader In New Brunswick

The 24 year old’s rise to party leader was fast and his reign short

By: Charlotte Hui

Mackenzie Thomason announced Tuesday that he would step down as NDP leader in New Brunswick on June 28, 2022.

Thomason said the resignation was primarily due to infighting within the party. Some members believed that 24 years old, he was too young for the job, and he felt others were taking positions that did not align with traditional NDP values.

“I am incredibly saddened,” said Thomason.

In March 2019, Thomason got appointed as the NDP’s interim leader. A lack of leadership and the impact of COVID-19 saw several leadership conventions postponed.

During that time, as interim leader of the NDP, his campaign focused on introducing a minimum wage of $15 an hour, reducing the cost of post-secondary education, and making prescription drugs affordable. After the NDP failed to gain seats in the 2020 New Brunswick general election, Thomason resigned as interim leader on November 15, 2020, and resumed the position of NDP leader on September 14, 2021, by acclamation.

Thomason’s departure will have a minor impact on the NDP; he still believes the NDP is still a party that can deliver fantastic results for the people of New Brunswick.

“With an interim leader, with a new leader, hopefully, that person will be able to be on the same side as the group that we have,” said Thomason.

“I do want to stress to any and all supporters of the party that it is not over,” he said. “We have the ability to get through to the 2024 campaign.”