Canada’s New Democrats have selected Avi Lewis as their new party leader. He secured 56% of votes cast on the first ballot of the 2026 leadership race.
Chief Electoral Officer Éric Hébert-Daly commented: “New Democrats have spent this past year rebuilding the party, talking to Canadians about what matters to them.”
He also acknowledged the other candidates: “I want to thank all five leadership contestants for showing the heart and soul of our movement throughout the campaign.”
First Ballot Results
| Candidate | Votes | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Avi Lewis | 39,734 | 56% |
| Heather McPherson | 20,899 | 29% |
| Tanille Johnston | 5,159 | 7% |
| Rob Ashton | 4,193 | 5.9% |
| Tony McQuail | 945 | 1% |
Election Statistics
Total registered electors: 100,542 Valid ballots cast: 70,930 Voter turnout: 70.6%
Voting method breakdown:
- Online: 68,754
- Telephone: 1,252
- Mail-in: 928
- Spoiled ballots: 4