NDP Leadership Hopeful Avi Lewis Brings 'Big-Swing Solutions' to Calgary Campaign Stop
Federal New Democratic Party leadership candidate Avi Lewis arrived in Calgary on Thursday evening, meeting with supporters at Legion No. 1 to outline his vision for rebuilding the party after its devastating 2025 election results. The documentary filmmaker and social activist is touring the country ahead of the March leadership vote to succeed Jagmeet Singh.
Addressing the Cost-of-Living Crisis
Lewis emphasized that his campaign remains laser-focused on Canada's affordability emergency, presenting what he calls "big-swing solutions" to economic challenges facing Canadians. "We're offering real straight talk," Lewis stated in an interview before his Calgary event. "Canadians deserve to know exactly what the NDP stands for and what we'd do if we took power."
The Vancouver-based candidate acknowledged that not everyone will agree with every proposal but stressed the importance of clarity in political messaging. His campaign aims to rebuild trust with voters who have become disillusioned with traditional political options.
Rebuilding from Historic Setback
The 2025 federal election proved catastrophic for the NDP, with the party losing 17 of its 24 seats and former leader Jagmeet Singh defeated in his Burnaby-Central riding. This resulted in the loss of official party status in the House of Commons, marking the worst electoral performance in NDP history.
"We had our worst result in our entire history last election," Lewis acknowledged. "If there's one bright spot about losing party status and almost being wiped out, it's that we get to build back from the base."
Lewis himself ran unsuccessfully in Vancouver-Centre during that election, finishing third with 12.6 percent of the vote. He attributes the NDP's poor showing to strategic voting driven by fears about American politics.
Positioning Against Political Rivals
Lewis argued that both major federal parties have failed to represent Canadian interests adequately. He criticized Prime Minister Mark Carney's Liberal government for "placating" U.S. leadership over the past year, while accusing Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre of cheering on American political figures.
"Canadians don't currently have a political option that is going to assert Canadian independence in the face of these attacks," Lewis contended. "There's still a really strong feeling among Canadians that we don't want to have a two-party system, like the U.S."
Historic Venue for Calgary Event
The choice of Calgary Legion No. 1 for Thursday's event carries significant historical symbolism. This downtown building hosted the founding meeting of what would become the NDP in 1932, though the organization was then called the Co-operative Commonwealth Federation (CCF).
Lewis sees this connection to party origins as fitting for a campaign focused on rebuilding from foundational principles. "It feels like an important, high-stakes time to try to bring the NDP back into the political conversation," he said, "and I'm excited to be a part of that."
The leadership candidate's Calgary stop represents part of a broader national tour as he seeks to galvanize support ahead of the March leadership convention. With deep family ties to the party and experience as a two-time federal candidate, Lewis positions himself as someone who can reconnect the NDP with its progressive roots while addressing contemporary economic concerns.
