The provincial NDP has lost five staffers in the last month amid allegations of a “toxic” work atmosphere, and serious questions about the party leadership.

The party is declining comment, calling the issue an HR matter, but VOCM News has heard from long-time party faithful who say a leadership review is needed to address work issues that have become untenable.

The party’s fortunes had taken a positive turn in the last general election, with three members elected to the House of Assembly under new leader Alison Coffin, however, sources tell VOCM News that things within the party are not going well.

Five staffers – the party’s Chief of Staff, office manager, two researchers, and a communications person – some of whom have been with the party for years, have resigned in the last few weeks. A letter sent to VOCM News indicates that a “well functioning political office” has in the last year been turned into a “hotbed” of “toxicity, harassment, and wild unprofessionalism.”

The party is facing a leadership convention in November, and insiders tell VOCM News it’s hoped that there will be a change at the top.

VOCM News has reached out to NDP Leader Alison Coffin for comment.