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

The party says in a release that Danielle Adams was killed Thursday 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.

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.”

Premier Heather Stefanson said Adams will be greatly missed in the Manitoba legislature.

"As the first female elected to represent the constituency of Thompson, she will be remembered as a strong voice for northern Manitoba and a staunch advocate for child care, housing, poverty reduction and supporting Manitobans with disabilities," Stefanson said in a statement. 

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." 

Liberal Leader Dougald Lamont called the news terrible. 

"Our deepest condolences to her family and community and NDP caucus colleagues," he wrote in a Twitter post. 

 This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 9, 2021

The Canadian Press