Manitoba NDP leadership candidate Wab Kinew promises he'll work toward having at least half of the party's caucus made up of women, transgender and non-binary people, if he wins the race.

"Although gender equity has historically been considered between men and women, we recognize that gender is not exclusively male or female," a news release for Kinew's campaign said.

"Therefore, gender equity for the Manitoba NDP necessarily includes non-binary people."

Kinew announced an advisory group that will help reach that goal.

The group is made up of some current and former prominent party members, including former cabinet ministers Nancy Allan, Judy Wasylycia-Leis and Muriel Smith.

Current NDP MLA Nahanni Fontaine and recent dropout from the NDP leadership race Michelle McHale are also on the advisory team.

"We need the leadership of women, transgender, and non-binary people in government," said McHale, organizer of the first Pride march in Steinbach, Man.

"Wab has demonstrated that he is serious about listening and doing what it takes to support these kinds of leaders to get into positions where they can influence provincial decisions."

Kinew, a former CBC broadcaster and journalist, made the announcement Tuesday morning at the Manitoba Legislature in front of the Famous Five monument, which honours the five women who led the legal battle to have women recognized as persons under the British North America Act.

Leadership race could heat up: prof

The rookie MLA, first elected to the legislature last year, is currently the only candidate running to lead the Manitoba New Democrats, who were in power for 17 years before losing last year's election to the Progressive Conservatives.

The NDP is trying to rebuild and currently holds 12 of the 57 legislature seats.

Kinew may still face competition from longtime former NDP cabinet minister Steve Ashton, who has run twice for the leadership unsuccessfully and is not ruling out a third attempt.

A race would be much better for the NDP than having Kinew win unchallenged, said Kelly Saunders, who teaches political science at Brandon University.

"Leadership races are a really good opportunity for ... people to get re-energized and excited about the party, and bring in new members and get some good media play," Saunders said.

"But it's also a great opportunity for the party to kind of do the heavy lifting — thinking about 'OK, where are we going in the future? What do we stand for?"'

The deadline to enter the race is July 15.