NDP member of the Manitoba legislature Danielle Adams dies in car crash

The NDP member of the Manitoba legislature for Thompson has died.

The party says in a release that Danielle Adams died Thursday afternoon in a car accident near the northern Manitoba city.

NDP Leader Wab Kinew says her death is heartbreaking and she will be remembered as a young, caring mother who wore her heart on her sleeve.

“Danielle’s passing is heartbreaking on so many levels—she was a young, caring mother who wore her heart on her sleeve. She was a fierce advocate for her constituents in Thompson and always made northern Manitobans a priority. Our movement and our team will miss her deeply. I know I and my NDP colleagues will honor her life and legacy by continuing to fight hard for the things Danielle stood for.”

Adams was first elected in 2019 and served as the party’s critic for child care, housing, disability and poverty matters.

The party says she was particularly committed to advocating on behalf of the child-care sector and parents, pushing for child-care that was affordable, accessible and reliable across the province.

Adams, who was 39, is survived by her two young boys and her husband.

“She was a fierce advocate for her constituents in Thompson and always made northern Manitobans a priority,” Kinew said in a release.

“Our movement and our team will miss her deeply. I know I and my NDP colleagues will honour her life and legacy by continuing to fight hard for the things Danielle stood for.”

Kelvin Goertzen, Manitoba’s minister of intergovernmental affairs, expressed his condolences.

“The Manitoba legislature is united today in grief at the tragic passing of Thompson MLA Danielle Adams,” he said in a post on Twitter.

“To her family, friends, and NDP colleagues, our hearts break for you and we are incredibly sorry for this terrible loss.”

Premier Heather Stefanson also offered her condolences:

“On behalf of all Manitobans, I offer my deepest condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of Danielle Adams, MLA for Thompson.
A dedicated partner and mother of two and a well-known community advocate, Danielle was tragically taken too soon.
As the first female elected to represent the constituency of Thompson, she will be remembered as a strong voice for northern Manitoba and staunch advocate for childcare, housing, poverty reduction and supporting Manitobans with disabilities.
We all mourn her loss. She will be greatly missed in the Manitoba Legislature. May she rest in peace.”