The narrow loss for the NDP in the Spruce Woods byelection on Tuesday is being called a “significant win” by one expert, showing the party continues to gain momentum since the 2023 election.

The NDP came within 70 votes of the Progressive Conservatives — by far its closest result in the longtime PC riding.

Kelly Saunders, a political science professor at Brandon University, said while nothing has really changed since the PCs kept the seat, it does have larger effects on the political landscape in Manitoba.

“In the larger picture, this was, I think, in many ways a significant win for the NDP, even though they didn’t win the seat,” Saunders said on Wednesday. “They clearly have made some significant inroads into this riding and they did so very intentionally.”

The NDP made several fundin

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