Alison Coffin

Alison Coffin MHA (born 1970) is a Canadian politician, who is currently the leader of the Newfoundland and Labrador New Democratic Party (NL NDP). 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
NL NDP Leader Alison Coffin
Leader of the Newfoundland and Labrador New Democratic Party
Incumbent
Assumed office March 5, 2019
Preceded by	Gerry Rogers
Member of the Newfoundland and Labrador House of Assembly for St. John's East-Quidi Vidi
Incumbent
Assumed office May 16, 2019
Preceded by	Lorraine Michael
Personal details
Born	1970 (age 50–51) Corner Brook, Newfoundland, Canada
Political party	New Democrat
Residence	St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador
Occupation	economist, university professor

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]

Presently, Coffin 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.

Coffin ran for the NL NDP in the 2015 provincial election in Waterford Valley. She entered the provincial party leadership election in April 2018, losing to Gerry Rogers.[4] After Rogers resigned, she was elected unopposed in March 2019. Coffin is a former associate president of the provincial party.[5]

Coffin led the party into the 2019 provincial election; despite only nominating 14 candidates the party won 3 seats. 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.[6][7][8][9]

Electoral history

2019 Newfoundland and Labrador general election
Party		Candidate	Votes
	New Democratic	Alison Coffin	2,699
	Liberal	George Murphy	2,072
	Progressive Conservative	David Porter	1,436
Source: Elections Newfoundland and Labrador[10]

2018 New Democratic Party 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%

2015 Newfoundland and Labrador general election: Waterford Valley
Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Liberal	Tom Osborne	3,588	65.93	–
	New Democratic	Alison Coffin	1,062	19.52	–
	Progressive Conservative	Alison Stoodley	792	14.55	–
Total valid votes			5,442	99.51	–
Total rejected ballots			27	0.49	–
Turnout			5,469	55.20	–
Eligible voters			9,907
	Liberal notional hold		Swing		–
Source: Elections Newfoundland and Labrador[11]

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. "Gerry Rogers or Alison Coffin? NDP leadership convention kicks off in St. John's". CBC News Newfoundland and Labrador, April 7, 2018.
5. Maher, David (March 5, 2019). "Alison Coffin acclaimed as leader of Newfoundland and Labrador NDP". The Telegram. Retrieved Nov 25, 2020.
6. 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.
7. "'No deals' to prop up Liberal minority just yet, says NDP leader". CBC News. May 22, 2019. Retrieved Nov 25, 2020.
8. 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.
9. Roberts, Kelly-Anne (May 17, 2019). "'We have the balance of power,' Alison Coffin says as NDP wins three seats". NTV.
10. "Official Results of the 2019 Provincial Election" (PDF). Elections Newfoundland and Labrador. 19 May 2019. Retrieved 24 May 2019.
11. "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.