Avi Lewis Enters NDP Leadership Race

Avi Lewis, the filmmaker, journalist, and political activist, has officially entered the race to lead the federal New Democratic Party (NDP). He made the announcement on September 19, 2025, launching his leadership bid and preparing for a formal campaign launch in Toronto in the coming weeks.

A Political Family Legacy

Born into a political family — his grandfather David Lewis was a founding leader of the federal NDP, while his father Stephen Lewis led the party in Ontario — Lewis brings a long history of progressive activism to the leadership contest. He has twice run for federal office under the NDP banner, in Vancouver-area ridings, though without success.

Campaign Vision and Priorities

In his launch, Lewis emphasized that his campaign will be rooted in a vision that confronts inequality and climate change. He promises to challenge what he calls “the oligarchs who are hoarding extreme wealth” and aims to push forward policies aligned with radical environmental and social transformation — part of the legacy of the Leap Manifesto, which he co-authored in 2015.