Friday April 10, 2026 | OTTAWA, ON [Posted 11:06 am PT]
by Mary P Brooke | Island Social Trends
The federal New Democratic Party (NDP) is beginning to rebuild their party, after the recent membership selection of Avi Lewis as their new party leader.
Lewis will address media on Monday morning April 13 from Ottawa about affordability and grocery prices.
Lewis says the NDP team is focussed on those daily concerns.
NDP critic roles:
Lewis today announced critic portfolios and house officers for the NDP caucus ahead of Parliament returning next week. There is a new critic role called Cost of Living.
Heather McPherson — who ran against Lewis for the party leadership last month — will be House Leader.
“Our team is united and laser-focused on the everyday emergency facing Canadians, who are just trying to get by in a rigged economy,” Lewis said today in a news release.
“I’m proud of our MPs who are a progressive beacon in the House. They’re speaking up and fighting for working Canadians day in and day out.”
- NDP Leader Avi Lewis will be the critic for Intergovernmental Affairs, and also becomes critic for the Cost of Living, a new role.
- NDP MP Don Davies (Vancouver Kingsway) will serve as Parliamentary Leader and Whip, takes on the critic roles for Defence, Natural Resources, and Northern and Atlantic Economic Development, and remains critic for Finance, as well as Industry and Jobs.
- NDP MP Heather McPherson (Edmonton Strathcona) will serve as House Leader and resumes her role as critic for Foreign Affairs and International Development, International Trade, Seniors, and Heritage (Arts, Culture and Sport).
- NDP MP Jenny Kwan (Vancouver East) remains Caucus Chair, takes on the critic role for Justice and remains critic for Housing, Immigration and Citizenship, Infrastructure, Public Safety and National Security, and Pacific Economic Development.
- NDP MP Leah Gazan (Winnipeg Centre) takes on the critic roles for Indigenous Affairs as well as Arctic Sovereignty, and she remains critic for Women and Gender Equity, Children, Families and Social Development, People with Disabilities, Post-Secondary Education, Skills and Training, and Prairies Economic Development.
- NDP MP Gord Johns (Courtenay—Alberni) remains critic for Health (including Mental Health and Addictions), Rural, Small Business and Tourism, Fisheries and Oceans, Veterans Affairs, Agriculture, and Emergency Preparedness.
- NDP MP Alexandre Boulerice (Rosemont—LaPetite-Patrie) remains critic for Environment and Climate Change, Labour, Transport, Official Languages, and Quebec and Ontario Economic Development.
Three of the six NDP MPs represent ridings in British Columbia, one in Alberta, one in Manitoba and one in Quebec.
By-elections:
Also on April 13 — on the same day that the 45th Parliament returns from spring/Easter break — there will be three federal by-elections.
Two of the ridings are in the metropolitan Toronto area and are expected to be won by Liberal candidates. The other riding is Terrebonne in the Montreal area, which appears to be a toss-up between Liberal and Bloc Quebecois.
===== RELATED:
Avi Lewis wins federal NDP leadership (March 29, 2026)
NEWS SECTIONS: FEDERAL NDP | 45th PARLIAMENT of CANADA | BY-ELECTIONS