Ontario's NDP, like its federal cousin, turns 50 this year. It's been five decades of some great highs and pretty tough lows for the provincial NDP.

Among the highs: pushing progressive policies under then-NDP leader Stephen Lewis in the 1970s; the Liberal-NDP accord in 1985, and of course the NDP's victory in the 1990 provincial election.

Among the lows: the sharp rebuke from the voters in 1995 after five years of NDP government, and losing official party status in 2003.

The Agenda's David Erwin has put together a nice video on the provincial NDP's 50th anniversary. It features provincial party leaders -- past and present -- talking about the NDP's contribution to Ontario and the Party's future. It also features a front-row view of federal NDP leader Jack Layton's speech on election night.

One can forgive Ontario NDPers for feeling a little bit more confident after the NDP breakthrough federally. Can we say, as former leader Howard Hampton says in the video, "the most relevant days for the NDP are yet to come"?

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