Paul Dewar announces the first steps toward winning the Next 70 seats

Saskatoon - Today Paul Dewar unveiled "Organizing for the Next 70", the concrete organizational steps he will take in the first 100 days of his leadership to set the NDP on the path toward winning the a majority government.

"Organizing so we can win the next election means getting started now," said Dewar. "Stephen Harper wants to turn Canadians off of politics and suppress participation. I want to turn people on to politics. I want people to believe in the possibility of a better future again."

Dewar's "Next 70" is the only plan of its kind in the NDP leadership race to take immediate action and set the party on the path for victory. The plan would consolidate the NDP's current support and build outreach and organizing capacity in targeted seats with the aim of winning a majority NDP government.

In his first 100 days as leader, Paul Dewar will expand party's outreach, organization and communications capacity by hiring organizers, engaging Canadians in their communities and establishing party infrastructure across the country. Dewar will consolidate the NDP breakthrough in Quebec by establishing a dedicated Quebec unit to support the NDP's new MPs with expanded organization and fundraising capacity.

"We must immediately begin organizing schools all across the country to train the many new campaign managers and other campaign organizers we need to run solid on the ground campaigns," said Dewar. "In Quebec alone, we'll need to train up to 60 campaign managers and other campaign staff to consolidate our victories - and we'll need even greater resources to win the remaining Quebec seats."

Dewar will also develop regional outreach plans, including a Western Strategy to reach out to new voters in Western Canada.

"We will not let the Conservative take the West for granted," said Dewar. "We will reach out and inspire the "Real Majority" of Canadians to get involved and elect us in the next 70 seats in places like Saskatchewan so that together, we build a stronger and more caring Canada."

Read Dewar's full plan, Organizing for the Next 70