Canada's New Democratic Party (NDP) has elected former broadcaster and self-proclaimed socialist Avi Lewis as its new leader, as the party seeks to rebuild after a devastating federal election last year that stripped it of official party status. Lewis won on the first ballot in a three-day leadership convention, with a record number of members voting.
In his victory speech in Winnipeg, the 58-year-old documentary film-maker and former TV host pledged to centre the party on equity, promising higher wealth taxes, green energy, and tuition-free education. 'It is time, far past time, to properly tax the corporations and billionaires that have been riding a tidal wave of profits while the 99% have been suffering and struggling,' he said.
Lewis criticised the governing Liberals, vowing that an NDP government would challenge oil companies and 'grocery barons' enjoying billions in profits. He faces a daunting task rebuilding a party with just six MPs, weak polling at about 6% federally, and around C$13m in debt. He has never held political office and does not hold a seat in parliament.
Lewis beat MP Heather McPherson, union organiser Rob Ashton, city councillor Tanille Johnston, and farmer Tony McQuail. Prime Minister Mark Carney and Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre congratulated him. The NDP lost 17 of its 24 seats in the last election, and former leader Jagmeet Singh resigned after losing his own riding.
Lewis has called for a green energy deal, an export tax on oil and gas shipped to the US, and investing 2% of GDP in climate action. However, provincial NDP leaders have expressed concerns. Alberta's Naheed Nenshi warned that a perceived ideological shift would not help the provincial party, while Saskatchewan's Carla Beck declined to comment. British Columbia's David Eby noted his government's focus on technology and mining jobs, industries criticised by Lewis.
