Avi Lewis Takes NDP Helm, Faces Uphill Battle

0:00It's March 29th. This is Canada News today, powered by AI. I'm Cory with the story. AV Lewis just became the new leader of Canada's new Democratic Party, beating out four rivals including MP Heather McPherson and Union leader Rob, Ashton to replace Jagmeet Singh. At 58, he's never held elected office, having lost federal bids twice before, but he's stepping in as the NDP sits at just seven seats after. Last year's election wipeout, with one more defection to the Liberals. Lewis comes from political royalty. His grandfather, David, led the federal NDP in the 70s, and his dad, Steven, ran the Ontario Wing before, becoming UN ambassador. Married to author Naomi Klein, he's built a career in broadcasting, hosting shows on much music, CBC, and Al Jazeera, plus directing docs like the take, with his wife. Reactions are mixed, especially over his activist past. He helped launch delete manifesto back in 2015, pushing hard for ditching fossil fuels,

1:02renewables, and indigenous rights, which fired up. Some but split the party and ticked off folks like former Alberta Environment Minister, Shannon Phillips. Critics like ex-leader Thomas Mulcare worry his hard left stance on energy makes the NDP unelectable in resource towns, while recent polls show the party still struggling for attention after peeking under Jack Layden over a decade ago. With Trump looming south of the border and both major party shifting right, Lewis has to snag a common seat fast, rebuild from rock bottom, and prove the NDP matters again in the big conversations.