Avi Lewis Takes Helm of Canada’s NDP, Vowing to Push Party Further Left

Article content(Bloomberg) — Avi Lewis, a documentary filmmaker and husband of author and activist Naomi Klein, has been elected leader of Canada’s left-wing New Democratic Party.Sign In or Create an AccountEmail AddressContinueor View more offersArticle contentThe NDP — once a key supporter of former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s government but now reduced to just six seats in the House of Commons — announced the results of its leadership race on Sunday in Winnipeg.Article contentWe apologize, but this video has failed to load.Try refreshing your browser, ortap here to see other videos from our team.Article contentLewis received 56% of the vote. Heather McPherson, an Edmonton-based member of Parliament, came in second place, with 29%. Article contentArticle contentA former journalist and activist, Lewis ran on a populist platform aimed at pulling the NDP further to the left. His proposals included ending new oil production, introducing a wealth tax and offering public options for groceries and banking. Article contentTop StoriesGet the latest headlines, breaking news and columns.There was an error, please provide a valid email address.Sign UpBy signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc.Thanks for signing up!A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder.The next issue of Top Stories will soon be in your inbox.We encountered an issue signing you up. Please try againInterested in more newsletters? Browse here.Article contentHe said he was “deeply inspired” by New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s campaign and that “the same energy and vision” drove his push to lead the NDP.Article contentIn his first address as party leader, Lewis said Canadians are “living on the edge” as the country faces an “economic attack” from US President Donald Trump. But he argued that the bigger crisis Canadians are experiencing is the cost-of-living, accusing grocery, telecom and tech giants of ripping off and spying on consumers.Article content“This is more than a rigged economy. It’s a war on working people,” he said.Article contentLewis also took aim at Prime Minister Mark Carney. He said that while the prime minister currently enjoys the support of many Canadians, he hasn’t delivered what Canadians were seeking in the last election. Article content“In the last federal election, Canadians voted to say no to Trump and Trumpism. What they’re getting instead is our government following the US into a future of wars, fossil fuels, austerity and job-killing generative AI,” he said.Article contentArticle contentLewis comes from a prominent left-wing political family. His father and grandfather simultaneously led the Ontario and federal NDP in the 1970s. He has also collaborated with Klein on documentary and activism projects largely focused on climate change. Article contentHis next challenge will be selling his socialist-leaning vision to a broader electorate. Article contentWhile the NDP has never formed a federal government, it helped keep Trudeau’s minority government afloat by trading its support for policies such as a national dental program. Article contentBut the deal didn’t translate into votes in last year’s election. Many traditional NDP supporters shifted to the Liberals under Mark Carney, while Pierre Poilievre’s Conservatives peeled off working-class voters who once reliably backed the union-aligned party.Article contentThe outcome was devastating: the party’s seat count fell from 25 to just seven. Jagmeet Singh, who had led the party since 2017, lost his seat and resigned on election night. Earlier this month, the party lost another seat when Nunavut MP Lori Idlout joined the Liberals. Article contentLewis appears to have captured renewed grassroots enthusiasm, outraising his competitors during the leadership race. Still, the party faces an uphill battle: Polling by Abacus Data shows only 34% of voters are open to supporting the NDP, down from 50% a decade ago. Article contentLewis does not currently hold a seat in Parliament and has said he will focus on rebuilding the party before seeking to enter the House of Commons.Article content(Updates with Lewis comment beginning in sixth paragraph.)Article contentTrending Trans Mountain pipeline expected to run nearly full in April, bucking seasonal trends, as war continues Energy Quebec demands Air Canada’s CEO resignation in 92 to 0 vote Airlines Iran oil revenue soars as it's the only exporter out of Hormuz Oil & Gas Why waiting to lock in your variable rate often backfires Mortgages Meet the Canadian e-bike maker who is redefining the factory floor Electric Vehicles Share this article in your social networkCommentsYou must be logged in to join the discussion or read more comments.Create an AccountSign in Join the Conversation Postmedia is committed to maintaining a lively but civil forum for discussion. Please keep comments relevant and respectful. 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