It takes a certain kind of nerve to swap a camera for a campaign podium — especially when your last name carries half a century of political history. When Avi Lewis became leader of Canada’s New Democratic Party in 2026, he brought a documentary filmmaker’s eye and a family legacy that stretches back to his grandfather, former NDP leader David Lewis.
Full name: Avram David ‘Avi’ Lewis · Born: May 1967 · Current role: Leader of Canada’s NDP (since 2026) · Previous profession: Filmmaker and journalist · Political party: New Democratic Party (NDP)
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Full name | Avram David ‘Avi’ Lewis |
| Date of birth | May 1967 (disputed) |
| Place of birth | Canada |
| Political party | New Democratic Party (NDP) |
| Current position | Leader of the NDP (since 2026) |
| Spouse | Naomi Klein |
| Grandfather | David Lewis (former NDP leader) |
Who is Avi Lewis?
Early life and education
Avi Lewis was born in May 1967 (though some sources suggest 1968) into a family deeply embedded in Canadian democratic socialism. His grandfather, David Lewis, led the NDP from 1971 to 1975, and his father, Stephen Lewis, was a prominent diplomat and provincial NDP leader. Details about his formal education are sparse; public records do not specify his university or degree.
Career before politics
Before entering partisan politics, Lewis worked for 35 years as a journalist, documentary filmmaker, and educator. His documentaries focus on social justice and the environment; he was a former host on Al Jazeera English. The CBC described him as a “filmmaker, activist, and former journalist” when he launched his leadership bid in 2025.
What is Avi Lewis’s political platform?
Key policy proposals
Lewis’s campaign centres on “fighting inequality” and building a “care economy.” His tax policy page argues that the top 1% of Canadian families control nearly a quarter of the nation’s net wealth, and he proposes wealth taxes and increased public investment in healthcare, housing, and child care.
Campaign themes
His leadership bid emphasized rebuilding the NDP caucus after the party fell from official status in the House of Commons. He calls for “care over greed” and positions the NDP as the true alternative to the Liberal-Conservative consensus.
Family background
Lewis is of Jewish heritage. His grandparents fled persecution in Eastern Europe, and the family has been active in Canadian left-wing politics for three generations. He is married to author Naomi Klein.
Note: This is an aggregator profile compiled from secondary sources (CBC, CTV, The Conversation, Wikipedia, and the Avi Lewis campaign site). Reproduced in condensed form for reference under fair dealing.