Manitoba NDP caucus meets amid bad polls with election in 2016

Manitoba's governing New Democrats have emerged from a two-day caucus retreat, saying they are united and prepared for the next election despite low poll numbers.

Jennifer Howard, one of five former cabinet ministers who challenged Premier Greg Selinger's leadership last year, says the party has put its disagreements behind it.

Education Minister James Allum says caucus has learned that campaigns matter and can turn around political fortunes.

He also signals that an advertising blitz will come this fall, ahead of the provincial election slated for April.

Allum says the NDP has an obligation to tell people what it stands for and contrast it with the position of the Opposition Progressive Conservatives.

It was at last year's caucus retreat that the internal revolt erupted, leading to a leadership challenge that Premier Greg Selinger barely survived.