Filmmaker, activist, and former journalist Avi Lewis has officially launched his bid to become the next federal leader of the NDP, setting his sights on not just the Conservatives and Liberals but also Canada’s corporate entities and chief executives.
In a video shared on his official Facebook page, Lewis can be seen walking towards the camera in a casual untucked linen shirt, with urban and natural backgrounds alternating behind him. During his monologue, he points fingers at corporations, CEOs, free trade agreements, and past federal administrations for the current cost-of-living crisis in Canada, asserting that he has a comprehensive plan to address it.
Central to his platform is a critique of free trade pacts, which he claims have decimated hundreds of thousands of jobs and left Canada susceptible to coercion from the United States. Lewis acknowledges the influence of U.S. President Donald Trump’s trade policies but emphasizes that the affordability crisis is rooted in broader issues beyond just external factors.
Highlighting the struggle of making ends meet in today’s challenging economic landscape, Lewis contends that the existing system fails to reward hard work with a sustainable livelihood. He calls out a select group of corporations dominating various sectors of the economy, including three major telecom companies, three supermarket chains, five oil corporations, and the five prominent banks backing them.
Lewis goes on to criticize oil and gas CEOs for amassing excessive wealth at the expense of the collective future, vowing to introduce a “green new deal” aimed at generating numerous well-paying jobs. He contrasts the concentrated wealth of CEOs with the collective strength of Canadians, emphasizing the need for policies such as a wealth tax, a nationwide cap on rent hikes, and a public grocery and healthcare option covering essential needs from medications to mental health services.
While NDP MP Heather McPherson and labor leader Rob Ashton are listed as potential leadership contenders on the Elections Canada website, they have yet to formally declare their candidacy. Activist Yves Engler has confirmed his intention to run for the leadership position.
Looking ahead, the incoming NDP leader faces the arduous challenge of revitalizing the party following its historic low performance in the recent election. With only seven MPs remaining after the loss of key strongholds like Hamilton and Windsor, the party is far below the 12-seat threshold required for official recognition in Parliament. This diminished status means the NDP will have to operate without certain privileges, including guaranteed participation in parliamentary proceedings and funding for essential functions like the leader’s office and research unit.
Lewis, a resident of Vancouver and scion of prominent NDP figures, including former federal leader David Lewis and ex-Ontario leader Stephen Lewis, is married to author Naomi Klein. Together, they authored the Leap Manifesto, advocating for a shift away from fossil fuels and a halt to new infrastructure projects like pipelines, a framework that was embraced by the NDP in 2016.
With a background that includes hosting roles at Al Jazeera and CBC, Lewis has previously contested federal seats twice, finishing third in both attempts – in 2021 in West Vancouver-Sunshine Coast-Sea to Sky Country with nearly 26% of the vote and in 2025 in Vancouver Centre with 12.5% of the ballots cast.
