The New Democratic Party (NDP) is a federal political party positioned on the left of Canada's political spectrum, traditionally focused on workers' rights, social programs, environmental protection, and reducing inequality. Founded in 1961 from the Co-operative Commonwealth Federation (CCF) and labour movement, the NDP has never formed federal government but has held balance of power in minority parliaments, influencing policy like universal healthcare. Provincial NDP parties, while affiliated, operate independently and have governed in several provinces. The federal NDP's positions on housing, transit funding, and municipal issues matter to local governments, particularly when the party holds balance of power in Parliament.