Alison Coffin
Alison Coffin is a Canadian politician, who was the leader of the Newfoundland and Labrador New Democratic Party. She is a former member of the Newfoundland and Labrador House of Assembly. 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.
Background
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. She splits her time between St. John's, Brigus, and Spaniard's Bay with her partner Ian Coombs.Professionally, Coffin is an economist and university professor. Her most recent professional publication, "Taking Politics out of Governance", included in The Democracy Cookbook outlines straightforward suggestions for better provincial budgeting, spending, and planning.
Politics
Coffin ran for the NL NDP in the 2015 provincial election in Waterford Valley. She ran for the provincial party leadership election in April 2018, losing to MHA Gerry Rogers. After Rogers resigned, Coffin was elected leader unopposed in March 2019. She was confirmed as the party's new leader at a news conference on March 5, 2019. Coffin is a former associate president of the provincial party.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.
Coffin led the party into the 2021 provincial election. She was personally defeated in her district of St. John's East-Quidi Vidi; while the party held St. John's Centre and Labrador West. Coffin filed for a recount. On May 12, 2021, Supreme Court Justice Donald Burrage rejected Coffin's bid for a recount, arguing that there was not sufficient evidence.
On October 16, 2021, Coffin lost a leadership review by party members. She resigned on October 19 and was replaced by MHA Jim Dinn as interim leader. On August 15, 2025, John Abbott resigned his seat in the House of Assembly. He did this to avoid a legal battle stemming from the disputed results in the St. John's East-Quidi Vidi riding.
In the 2025 provincial election, Coffin ran as an independent candidate in both Carbonear-Trinity-Bay de Verde and Harbour Grace-Port de Grave on a platform of election reform, losing in both. She is the first person since Henry Renouf in the 1869 Newfoundland general election to run in more than one riding.