Avi Lewis, proclaimed as the new leader of the NDP, speaks at the party convention in Winnipeg on March 29, 2026. The Canadian Press/John Woods
NDP members chose journalist and activist Avi Lewis as their new leader on the first ballot with nearly 40,000 votes out of the 71,000 ballots cast on March 29.
With 56 percent of the vote, Lewis defeated long-time Edmonton NDP MP Heather McPherson, who received 29 percent, and left the other candidates in the single digits, including social worker Tanille Johnson with 7 percent, union leader Rob Ashton with 6 percent, and farmer Tony McQuail with 1 percent.
