Avi Lewis wins NDP
Avi Lewis was elected federal leader of Canada’s NDP, a shift media coverage says could push climate, healthcare and social equity higher on the national agenda. (youtube.com) Analysts expect Lewis’s leadership to alter policy signals that matter to renewable energy and labour‑sensitive businesses. (youtube.com)
Avi Lewis was chosen leader at the NDP convention in Winnipeg on March 29, 2026, winning on the first ballot with 39,734 votes (56%) from a total of 70,930 valid ballots and a turnout of 70.6%. (ndp.ca) Heather McPherson finished second with 20,899 votes (29.5%); Tanille Johnston received 5,159 votes, Rob Ashton 4,193 and Tony McQuail 945. (ndp.ca) Lewis’ campaign pledged to end new oil and gas production and to introduce a wealth tax as central economic measures. (bloomberg.com) His platform also included state‑run, non‑profit grocery stores and expanded worker‑centred policies flagged repeatedly during convention debates. (nationalobserver.com) The NDP enters Lewis’s leadership holding just six seats in the House of Commons, a short caucus that party officials say must be rebuilt after last year’s federal election. (yahoo.com) A Lewis‑aligned “change, together” slate swept the party executive ahead of the vote, and Lewis immediately invited his small caucus and rival candidates onstage at the victory rally while Naomi Klein appeared alongside him. (thewalrus.ca(vocm.com](https://vocm.com/2026/03/29/avi-lewis-elected-leader-of-federal-ndp/)(calgaryjournal.ca](https://calgaryjournal.ca/2026/03/29/avi-lewis-is-the-new-ndp-leader-as-alberta-sask-leaders-say-his-polices-can-hurt/))
