In a significant early move for the New Democratic Party's leadership contest, Winnipeg MP Leah Gazan has publicly thrown her support behind activist Avi Lewis. This endorsement marks the first from within the party's seven-member federal caucus since the race began.
A Critical Endorsement for Lewis
Gazan announced her backing in a video released on Thursday morning, January 15, 2026. She framed her support around the idea that Lewis is the right leader for a "critical moment" for both Canada and the world. "I'm supporting Avi (Lewis) because he can blow open the doors of our movement, making it a home for everyone who believes in economic, social and environmental justice," Gazan stated.
This endorsement carries added weight due to Gazan's previous criticism of Lewis's main rival, Edmonton MP Heather McPherson. In a September social media post, Gazan suggested that McPherson's comment about the NDP subjecting potential members to a "purity test" was an implicit rebuke of calls for justice from marginalized communities that the party has historically championed.
The Ideological Divide in the Race
The endorsement highlights the ideological spectrum within the NDP leadership field. Avi Lewis is widely seen as the most hard-left of the major candidates. His platform includes calls for a national wealth tax, increased government control over food distribution, and a phase-out of fossil fuels. Lewis, along with his wife, fellow activist Naomi Klein, co-authored the 2015 Leap Manifesto, a document advocating for the NDP to adopt a radical social and ecological justice agenda.
In contrast, Heather McPherson is perceived as a more moderate figure. She has secured her own key endorsements, including from former Timmins MP Charlie Angus earlier this week and from former Alberta NDP Premier Rachel Notley.
The Road to Winnipeg
The leadership race is currently seen as a three-way contest between Avi Lewis, Heather McPherson, and union leader Rob Ashton. The party is set to announce its new leader on March 29 in Winnipeg, adding a symbolic layer to Gazan's early support from that city.
This first caucus endorsement signals a potential consolidation of the party's left-wing behind Lewis's candidacy, setting the stage for a competitive and ideologically charged campaign in the months leading up to the March convention.
