Join Tanille in Moving Canada’s NDP Forward, Together.
Meet Tanille
She is running to be the next Leader of the New Democratic Party (NDP). Tanille, a proud Indigenous Liǧʷiłdax̌ʷ woman from the We Wai Kai First Nation, is a social worker, mother, city councillor, and bold new voice for the future of the NDP.
Some of Tanille’s key priorities in politics are:
Diverse and affordable housing
Equitable access to healthcare
Protecting the environment
Free and accessible post-secondary education
Increasing childcare spaces across the board
Meaningful and proportional electoral reform
Better public transit and alternative methods of transportation
Increasing the representation and participation of Indigenous persons in local, regional, provincial and federal decision making.
Tanille in the Media.
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![A woman in a red blazer speaking at a political rally with a microphone in front of a group of diverse people holding 'Vote Tanille for NDP Leader' signs outdoors in a park.]()
‘We Need to Support the Working Class’ – A Tyee Q&A
“Our work needs to start by going back to the people, and as soon as possible,” Johnston said. “We weren’t showing up in the way that they needed us to, and so we need to return, own the criticisms that are going to come at us and say, ‘Let’s do it differently.’”
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![Young woman with long brown hair wearing a black blazer and beige pants, standing outdoors in front of a large black and white mural with a stylized dragon design.]()
Tanille Johnston ‘is first Indigenous woman to seek NDP leadership’
“Throughout her career, Johnston has been a tireless champion for social equity and Indigenous rights … Her campaign launch signals a clear break from the status quo, prioritizing authenticity and a leadership style rooted in integrity, inclusion and inspiration.”
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![A university classroom with students viewing a presentation or video on a large projector screen, featuring a woman speaking.]()
NDP leadership hopeful Johnston wants to bolster allyship with Greens
“I offer that if we can make a deal like that with liberals, what’s stopping us from making a deal like that with the greens?” Johnston said. “Depending on how many seats they hold, depending on how many seats we get, that could be a pretty strong level for getting some things done.”
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![A woman standing outdoors in a park during daytime, smiling, wearing a red blazer and a black dress with a circular pin on her blazer. She is in front of large trees with a lake or river in the background.]()
Tanille Johnston launches federal NDP leadership bid in Nanaimo
“Our First Nations, our Metis, our Inuit, our seniors population, our veterans, our 2SLGBTQIA community, our people of invisible and visible disabilities,” Johnston said. “There are so many people that I feel haven't felt like they're not completely included in the NDP, or don't see themselves in the NDP, and I want to make sure that they do, because we are their party. We are here for them. They are us.”
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![A woman with long dark hair wearing a black jacket, standing outdoors with a group of people behind her, trees and a parking lot in the background.]()
All-candidates debate cancelled in North Island-Powell River riding
Tanille Johnston from the NDP helped organize the impromptu event outside the theatre after the debate cancellation.
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![Two women in academic regalia on stage, one with red hair reading from a folder, the other smiling and wearing a graduation cap and gown.]()
Campbell River’s first Indigenous city councillor takes a seat at the table
The significance of Johnston’s election was front and centre as the largely ceremonial meeting was accompanied by an Indigenous presence that reflected progress towards reconciliation with First Nations in Campbell River’s local government.
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“Let’s bring the nDP into a new era. one that’s brave, bold, and impossible to ignore.”
- Tanille Johnston, 2026 NDP Leadership Candidate