Avi Lewis, elected to lead Canada’s New Democratic party, promises ‘NDP comeback’

Ex-TV host pledged to centre party around equity, with higher wealth taxes, green energy and tuition-free education Sign up for the Breaking News US email to get newsletter alerts in your inbox Canada’s embattled New Democratic party (NDP) has elected the former broadcaster and self-proclaimed socialist Avi Lewis as its new leader, as it looks to rebuild following a devastating federal election last year that saw it lose official party status. A record number of members voted in the three-day NDP leadership convention, giving Lewis a first-ballot win that underscored widespread support. Lewis pledged to convert the “tremendous momentum” of the convention into an “NDP comeback”. Speaking to supporters on Sunday after his win, the 58-year-old documentary film-maker and former television host pledged to centre the party around the pursuit of equity, promising higher wealth taxes, green energy and tuition-free education. “We can already hear the howls from the establishment: ‘But how will you pay for all this?’ It is time, far past time, to properly tax the corporations and billionaires that have been riding a tidal wave of profits while the 99% have been suffering and