Tuesday March 31, 2026 | TORONTO, ON [Posted 12:31 pm PT]
by Mary P Brooke | Island Social Trends
Just two days after his son Avi Lewis became leader of the federal NDP, Stephen Lewis has died. He was 88.
He passed away peacefully in Toronto while under hospice care, as stated by the NDP today, accompanied by his wife Michele Landsberg, daughters Ilana and Jenny and his sister Janet.
Stephen Lewis had been leader of the Ontario NDP (1970 to 1978). He also served as Canada’s Ambassador to the United Nations (1984 to 1988). He had then worked at various United Nations agencies during the 1990s.
Over the last eight years he had been battling cancer.
Three generations of NDP:
Stephen Lewis was the son of David Lewis who led the federal NDP during 1971-1975 (right after Tommy Douglas era which ushered in universal health care).
Avi Lewis is travelling to Toronto to be with his family and “asks for patience and grace in this difficult time”.
Stephen Lewis Foundation:
A statement has been issued b the Stephen Lewis Foundation (SLF), including:
“No words can do justice to Stephen’s incredible impact. From Ontario’s legislature to the UN, and in the co-founding of the SLF with his daughter Ilana Landsberg-Lewis, Stephen was an unstoppable champion for equality and force for good.”
“Stephen was an advocate for global health equity, human rights, and support for communities affected by HIV and AIDS to his final days.”
===== RELATED:
- NDP Leader Avi Lewis: cost of living emergency is top priority (March 30, 2026)
- Avi Lewis wins federal NDP leadership (March 29, 2026)
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