Sunday March 29, 2026 | WINNIPEG, MB [Posted at 9:37 am PT | Updated 10:16 am & 12:38 pm]
by Mary P Brooke | Island Social Trends
The new leader of the federal New Democratic Party (NDP) is Avi Lewis.
He won the top job on the first vote of a ranked ballot today March 29. The voter turnout was 70.6%.
- Avi Lewis: 39,734 votes (56%)
- Heather McPherson: 20,899 votes (29%)
- Tanille Johnston: 5,159 votes (7%)
- Rob Ashton: 4,193 votes (5.9%)
- Tony McQuail: 945 votes (1%)
Over 100,000 electors:
There were 100,542 electors, who could vote online, by phone or by postal mail.
- Online votes: 68,754
- Telephone votes: 1,252
- Mail-in votes: 928
That shows 96.9% of valid ballots cast online (a method that the party recommended).
About 2,000 delegates attended the convention in person, with the rest of the eligible membership voting remotely.
Over 70,000 votes cast:
The total votes cast was 70,934 with 70,930 of those being valid (four were spoiled).
Day one:
The acceptance speech by Avi Lewis included articulation about the cost of living crisis in Canada: “Working hard no longer earns you a living.” Likely all NDP leadership will agree with that.
The economy is rigged and is against workers, he said, and may not be wrong on that. But how to fix it?
Elected NDP provincial governments take pragmatic approaches to trying to deliver solutions to that within the current setup of the economy. Lewis says he looks forward to meeting with BC NDP Premier David Eby and called other provincial NDP leaders ‘premiers in waiting’.
Lewis said that Prime Minister Mark Carney’s vision for Canada is not aligned for Canadians.
In his 18-minute speech, Lewis did not mention previous recent party leaders like Jack Layton (who took the NDP to Official Opposition status in 2011) or Jagmeet Singh (who most recently led the party during the pandemic keeping people afloat with a viable CERB amount, and who bolstered child care, dental care and Pharmacare in the national social safety net).
But he did herald former NDP leader Tommy Douglas (leader from 1961 to 1971) who ushered in universal health care. Lewis’ grandfather David Lewis then led the NDP (1971-1975) after Douglas.
Rebuilding the party:
The new leader will need to rebuild the party which was reduced to seven seats after the April 2025 federal election (down now to six seats since one NDP MP crossed the floor to the Liberals a few weeks ago).
“We are ready to come roaring back on the Canadian political stage,” said Lewis in acceptance speech remarks.
Lewis arrived on stage with fellow contestant Tanille Johnston and called her “a sensation and a rising star” and noting her Indigenous roots. The other candidates joined him on stage for his speech.
He gave a nod to Tony McQuail for highlighting electoral reform.
Lewis called Rob Ashton “the real deal” who might “walk into parliament in your work boots”.
He acknowledged Heather McPherson, MP (Edmonton Strathcona) last but as someone who “who knows how to win” and that she “gets things done in Ottawa”.
Lewis does not currently have a seat in the House of Commons.
First meeting:
Avi Lewis as the new federal NDP leader will be meeting with Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew today at the Manitoba Legislature.
Congrats to the winner:
- “Congratulations to @avilewis on your election as NDP leader. As Prime Minister I will always take a collaborative approach to how we build a stronger Canada, and I look forward to speaking about how we can work together to keep delivering for Canadians.” ~ Prime Minister Mark Carney [X]
- “Congratulations to @avilewis on being voted in as the new leader of the NDP. I look forward to working to hold the Carney Liberals to account for the worst grocery price inflation and fastest-shrinking economy in the G7. We must make Canada affordable and safe for us all.” ~ Conservative Party Leader Pierre Poilievre
- “Congratulations to @avilewis on being elected as the federal leader by NDP members, and thank you to @DonDavies for your service as interim leader.” ~ BC NDP Premier David Eby [X]
- “Congrats @avilewis! Looking forward to building a stronger Canada with you.” ~ Manitoba NDP Premier Wab Kinew [X]
- “Congrats to him and his outstanding team on the win and to all our excellent candidates for renewing our party.” ~ Former NDP MP and NDP BC MLA Nathan Cullen [X]
- “Congratulations to Avi Lewis on being elected Leader of the #NDP. Our party needs renewal, and Canada needs New Democrats. Avi will elevate our movement, renew our vision, and help us become strong, united voices representing all Canadians going forward.” ~ Peter Julian, former NDP MP and former NDP House Leader [X]
- “On behalf of the #GPC, sincere congratulations to my old friend @avilewis! Looking forward to working with you. #NDPLeadership” ~ Green Party Leader Elizabeth May
Some opposition:
There is always opposition in politics, but Lewis is getting it from both sides in Alberta, as well as others.
- “It is clear that the direction of the federal party under this new leader, someone who openly cheered for the defeat of the Alberta NDP government, is not in the interests of Alberta.” ~ Naheed Nenshi, Alberta NDP Leader [X]
- “This weekend, NDP members elected self-declared “eco-socialist” Avi Lewis @avilewis as their leader. Lewis has called for a full ban on new pipelines and all fossil fuel development, at a time when the world needs Alberta energy more than ever. And while Naheed Nenshi @nenshi may try to distance himself, the Alberta NDP’s own constitution makes clear they are tied to the federal party. The truth is, the Alberta NDP has a long track record of opposing pipelines and energy development. Their extreme views are a danger to jobs and affordability. The UCP will never stop fighting against radical forces, including the Alberta NDP, who want to shut down our economy and keep our resources in the ground.” ~ Alberta Premier Danielle Smith [X]
- “I think Mark Carney is one of the luckiest political leaders that we’ve seen in this country in a long time in the fact the New Democrats keep tripping over themselves and electing people who are not electable to the broader Canadian public.” ~ James Moore, former Conservative MP and Cabinet Minister (2000-2015) [CTV]
===== RELATED:
- Heather McPherson likely to achieve NDP leadership win (March 28, 2026)
- Manitoba NDP Premier Kinew invigorates crowd at federal NDP leadership convention (March 27, 2026)
- NEWS SECTIONS: FEDERAL NDP | CANADA-NATIONAL