Avi Lewis Launches Campaign for Federal NDP Leadership with Bold Promises on Climate, Jobs, and Affordability
Canadian filmmaker, activist, and former journalist Avi Lewis has officially entered the race for the federal leadership of the NDP, presenting himself as a challenger not just to the Conservatives and Liberals, but also to Canada’s most powerful corporations. In his campaign launch, Lewis pledged a vision for a fairer economy through a Green New Deal that he says will create thousands of good-paying jobs while tackling climate change and the rising cost of living.
Avi Lewis Targets Corporations and the Cost-of-Living Crisis
In a campaign video, Lewis accused corporate giants and CEOs of driving up costs for ordinary Canadians while amassing record profits. He directly pointed to sectors that dominate the Canadian economy, including telecommunications, groceries, energy, and banking.
According to Lewis, the problem is not simply external pressures like U.S. tariffs but the structure of Canada’s economy itself, which he says has been shaped by decades of free trade agreements and corporate consolidation.
Corporations Lewis Criticized:
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Three major telecommunications providers
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Three dominant grocery chains
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Five leading oil companies
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The five biggest banks
Lewis argued that these industries, controlled by a handful of companies, have squeezed consumers and worsened inequality.
Avi Lewis’s Policy Agenda for the NDP Leadership
Lewis’s platform combines climate action with social and economic reforms designed to protect working families. His proposals aim to address affordability while reshaping Canada’s economy for the future.
| Policy Area | Proposal by Avi Lewis |
|---|---|
| Jobs & Climate | Green New Deal to create thousands of sustainable jobs |
| Taxation | Wealth tax on the richest Canadians |
| Housing | National cap on rent increases |
| Groceries | Public option to lower food prices |
| Health Care | Expanded coverage including medication and mental health |
Lewis summed up his campaign vision with the contrast: while CEOs are “the money,” Canadians are “the many.”
The NDP Leadership Race and Its Challenges
The NDP leadership race, set to conclude in March after a seven-month contest, comes at a critical moment for the party. Following its worst election result in history, the NDP was reduced to only seven MPs—far below the 12 seats required for official party status in Parliament.
The loss left the party without guaranteed daily questions in the House of Commons, access to committees, and essential funding for the leader’s office and research staff.
Key Facts About the NDP’s Current Situation:
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The party entered the last election with 24 MPs.
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It was reduced to only seven seats after losing traditional strongholds such as Hamilton and Windsor.
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Former leader Jagmeet Singh resigned after failing to hold his own riding.
Other leadership contenders listed with Elections Canada include NDP MP Heather McPherson, labour leader Rob Ashton, and activist Yves Engler, though not all have formally launched campaigns.
Avi Lewis’s Political Background and Family Legacy
Lewis comes from one of Canada’s most prominent political families. He is the grandson of David Lewis, a former federal NDP leader, and the son of Stephen Lewis, former Ontario NDP leader. He is married to author Naomi Klein, with whom he co-authored the Leap Manifesto, a document advocating for a rapid transition away from fossil fuels.
The manifesto, adopted by the NDP in 2016, called for a moratorium on new oil and gas infrastructure, aligning with Lewis’s current push for a Green New Deal.
As a journalist, Lewis hosted programs for both CBC and Al Jazeera before transitioning to political activism. He has twice run unsuccessfully for federal office, finishing third in West Vancouver-Sunshine Coast-Sea to Sky Country in 2021 and in Vancouver Centre in 2025.
What Avi Lewis’s Candidacy Means for the NDP
Lewis’s entry into the leadership race signals an attempt to reposition the NDP as the party of bold climate action, wealth redistribution, and affordability reforms. His campaign is expected to test whether the party’s base is ready to embrace a more radical vision at a time when it is fighting for survival in federal politics.
