Avi Lewis: NDP's New Leader, Family Dynasty

0:00It's March 30th. This is Canada News Today, powered by AI. I'm Cory with the story. A.V. Lewis just snagged the top spot as leader of Canada's new Democratic party, stepping into some serious family shoes. His grandfather, David, helped found the NDP back in 1961 and led it from 1971 to 1975, coining that killer line, about corporate welfare bums. His dad Stephen ran the Ontario NDP in the 70s, debated John F. Kennedy in 1957, and later tackled HIV in Africa as a UN envoy. Lewis himself is a broadcaster, filmmaker and activist, Mary Teneomi Klein. They've dropped docks like this changes everything. In his victory speech, he's zeroed in on the affordability crunch, calling out the Gaza situation and pushing public grocery stores, banks, housing. Better health care, a wealth tax, and no new oil pipelines. He wants proportional representation as the party's big ask if they hold balance of power.

1:03The leadership race showed the parties got some fire, even with just six federal seats. Lewis raised 1.2 million bucks, double runner up, Heather McPherson, the only sitting MP who beat conservatives in Alberta. Other contenders like B.C.'s Rob Ashton, hammered labor roots and Taneel Johnston, pushed indigenous voices, pulling big cheers from the crowd. Reactions were electric at the Winnipeg Convention Standing Ovation, especially for McPherson quoting Tommy Douglas on bouncing back. But the NDP's hurting, cast strapped, no party status, and half its voters didn't even know the candidates. Stephen Lewis was from his hospital bed, getting daily play by plays. Lewis is betting his eco-socialist vibe, sparks a comeback, telling fired up members the revival kicks off now. If wilderness ahead, we'll see if this dynasty air can rally the troops and flip the script.