ST. JOHN'S, N.L. — The Independent member for Labrador's north coast region is joining the provincial New Democrats.

Lela Evans is the member for Torngat Mountains, which comprises the region's five Inuit coastal communities and the Innu community of Natuashish, which is also along the coast.

Evans announced today she is joining the province's NDP because her constituents will be better served when she has the support of the party's "strong social advocates."

The move means the NDP now has three members in the legislature, two of whom are in Labrador.

Jordan Brown is the NDP's member in Labrador West and interim party leader Jim Dinn represents St. John's Centre.

Evans was first elected in 2019 as a Progressive Conservative, and she announced her departure from that party last October to sit as an Independent.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 7, 2022.

The Canadian Press