'The NDP is on your side': Earle McCurdy launches NDP campaign

Newfoundland and Labrador'sNew Democrats havelaunched their 2015 election campaign with leader Earle McCurdytelling voters"the NDP is on your side."

McCurdy, flanked by NDP candidate thatincludeveterans Lorraine Michael and Gerry Rogers, saidMemorial Universitywasagood choice tolaunch the NDPcampaignbecauseit's where he began a life of politicalactivism.

"The people of the province are ready for that election and Ican guaranteethe NDP is ready for it too," he said.

"The NDP is on your side," he said, citing what appears to be the party's campaign slogan.

McCurdy says election about values

McCurdysaid the Progressive Conservatives aretrying to apply a "fresh coat of paint" in an effort to "convince the people of the provincethat they're not the party of HumberValley Paving, that they're not the partyof DarkNL, that they're not the party of Bill 29."

As for the Liberals, McCurdysaid they've been coasting with their battle crythat they're not the Tories.

"Since Confederation, about the only difference between the two parties is the colour of the lawn signs," he said.

McCurdy said the election is about values: accessiblehealth care, astronger and more stable economy, steady jobs, a healthy environment, respectand support for families and seniors.

"These are the core values of the people of Newfoundland and Labrador and these are the core values of the NDP," he said.

He said it was time for voters to "kick the habit" of jockeying back and forth between the Tories and the Liberals.

NDP will have a full slate

McCurdy praised his "exceptional teamof candidatesalready in place," andpromised a full slate of 40 candidates.

He saidsome peoplehave been waiting for the writ to drop before announcing.

"Our realistic goal is to win every single seat we can win. This election is going to be much more competitive than people think," McCurdy said after reportersasked about the party's third place position in recent polls.

McCurdylaunchedtheNDP'scampaign at theBruneauInnovationCentre at MUN, a few hoursahead ofPaul Davis's trip to Government House Thursdayto officially dissolve the legislature and drop the writ.

• Ryan Cleary defection a snub to NDP supporters, Earle McCurdy says
• NDP pledges increased support for arts community

This the first test of McCurdy'sleadership of a political party.

The former head of the Fish, Food and Allied Workers Union made the leap intoprovincial politics last March after former leaderLorraine Michael stepped aside in January. He is running in the district ofSt. John's West, and faces a tough challenge in his bid to win a seat in the House of Assembly.

The NDP have 21candidates running so far with two more added today.

There's already been onehigh-profile defection with former federal MP Ryan Cleary'sdecision to run for the Progressive Conservatives in Windsor Lake