Campbell River city councillor Tanille Johnston has announced her intention to run for the top job in the federal NDP party. (Jordan Davidson/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Jordan Davidson

leadership ambitions

Campbell River city councillor joins race for federal NDP leadership in Nanaimo

Oct 9, 2025 | 9:58 AM

NANAIMO — A long-time social worker and Campbell River’s first Indigenous city councillor has thrown her hat into the ring to be the leader of the federal New Democratic Party (NDP).

Tanille Johnston announced the start of her leadership campaign at Nanaimo’s Maffeo Sutton Park on Wednesday, Oct. 8, in front of a crowd of supporters.

Johnston said her parents taught her hard work and integrity would lead to a good life in Canada, but these days, too many people are not finding it to be true.

“We’re living in a lifetime of change and uncertainty. The cost of living has soared well beyond reason. The dream of a secure future is getting more and more out of reach. Meanwhile, the wealthiest corporations continue to make record profits and dodge taxes.”

According to Johnston’s website, she was born and raised in Campbell River and still lives there with her family, working as a social worker for 14 years prior to being elected as a City Councillor in 2022.

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A member of the WeWaiKai First Nation, she ran as the NDP candidate for North Island-Powell River in the 2025 federal election, losing to Conservative Aaron Gunn.

She has served on numerous boards during her time at the University of Victoria.

She said as leader, she’ll continue fighting for “free post-secondary education” and better healthcare access for all rural and remote communities, as well as making housing more affordable, and projects that “defend and regenerate” the environment.

“We can no longer afford to settle for watered-down promises or wait for Liberals to do the right thing. Progressive voters are looking for answers and action against the greedy corruption that’s driving all of this inequality. New Democrats have always been the social conscience of our country.”

Jagmeet Singh resigned as party leader after losing his Vancouver-area seat in the election.

Union leader Rob Ashton, Alberta MP Heather McPherson and documentarian Avi Lewis have already thrown in their names for the leadership race.

New Democrats are set to choose their new leader on March 29 during the party’s annual convention in Winnipeg.

— with files from The Canadian Press.

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