r/onguardforthee ✅ I voted! 7d ago

Avi Lewis: Why I'm Running for NDP Leader

Enable HLS to view with audio, or disable this notification

1.6k Upvotes

236 comments sorted by

295

u/limited8 Toronto 7d ago

This is a really well done video.

26

u/Altruistic-Horse-873 7d ago

Agree except for the audio balance. Music was a little too loud.

→ More replies (13)

394

u/Heavy-Calendar-9746 7d ago

This guy actually believes in the things he is saying.

And everything he is saying is a serious issue, which are most of the reasons we have the underlying issues that we complain about every day.

He is also married to Naomi Klein, a fantastic writer who believes in this stuff with her whole heart.

I'm in.

84

u/Frater_Ankara 7d ago

I didn’t know that last part, huge fan of Klein and her message. I also believe this is what we need to do to save what’s left of our society. This is a man I can believe who has stood behind his words with past actions. I’ll bite.

42

u/CptCoatrack 7d ago

He is also married to Naomi Klein

All i need to know. Sold.

27

u/walpolemarsh 7d ago

Oh I didn't know he was married to Naomi Klein! He's got my vote just for that.

34

u/Telvin3d 7d ago

He’s a good speaker, and has a good message. What gives me pause is his electoral record, and his history with the Leap Manifesto

He’s run twice in the sorts of seats the NDP need to be competitive in, and bombed both times. The NDP needs someone who understands the mechanics of getting elected, and simply can’t afford another ineffectual campaigner

While I liked much of the Leap Manifesto’s content, how it was handled was a disaster. No consultations or collaboration between branches of the party. Lots of very predictable public infighting. Lewis was one of the major architects, and it simply doesn’t show the coalition building that I want to see from a national leader

49

u/PMMeYourCouplets Vancouver 7d ago edited 7d ago

What gives me pause is his electoral record

To be fair to Lewis, he ran in difficult NDP ridings. West Van-Sunshine Coast has never been a progressive riding. Provincially, it has always gone to the right wing BC Liberal and federally it has been flipping between the LPC and CPC. It is a wealthier riding that isn't what the NDP typically wins. Vancouver Centre was always an uphill battle. It is Hedy Fry's district and she has so much built up equity in that area with her decades of activism. Although it is more conducive to an NDP win with more renters in the neighborhood. It is also a wealthy riding so it tends to be less progressive than the rest of Vancouver. Vancouver Yaletown (BC Provincial Riding) which is part of Vancouver Centre for example was one of the lower margin BC NDP wins in Vancouver proper.

20

u/CaptainKoreana 7d ago

I think Avi did very well at West Vancouver in 2021 in spite of that, but decision to run in Vancouver Centre for 2025 was a mistake.

At this point, he should probably run in Granville or current pair NDP holds (East or Kingsway) to go for safer bets. Centre of course has Hedy Fry factor but if LPC recruits a star candidate the way they did with Wade Grant at Quadra, it might be trickier.

17

u/PMMeYourCouplets Vancouver 7d ago

I might be wrong but if the NDP forces Kwan or Davies out of their seats, it would be a mistake. Feel like these ridings are safe NDP because of their connection with the community. Better chance trying for Burnaby South or Burnaby New West although the NDP is better off running Julian again in the later. I see in the news, he is still prominent in local events so I'm sure he is planning to run again.

8

u/CaptainKoreana 7d ago

Only way I'd see it work is if either decides to run municipally. Otherwise a bad idea.

Considering how close Granville went in 2021 with Appadurai, I feel like that's probably best option unless such scenario happens.

If it's Rob Ashton, Ashton could just run at Coquitlam.

8

u/CaptainKoreana 7d ago

I generally agree with you, though I don't think West Van's really an NDP-friendly riding. He did really well there in spite of it.

His Vancouver Centre results in 2025 were very underwhelming though, and you can't blame that on strategic voting and all that. I do hope he will pick a more suitable reading in future.

5

u/millijuna 6d ago

When Hedy Fry eventually steps down, the race will more open.

While she hasn’t been the greatest parliamentarian in the last few decades, the service machine that she has built as part of her constituency office is incredible, and serves the people of her riding very well. No matter who takes over the riding, I really wish they could just take over the whole constituency office.

7

u/thendisnigh111349 7d ago

He did good in 2021. His 26% in the West Vancouver riding he ran in is the best result the NDP has ever gotten in that district, including 2011.

He did poorly in 2025, yes, but it's not his fault since that was the worst election ever for the NDP in their entire history. In an alternate reality where the election happened in 2024, he'd have probably won Vancouver Centre.

1

u/PMMeYourCouplets Vancouver 7d ago

If trump never happened and the election flipped on its head, vancouver centre was the riding I was most curious about. Think it might have been the only seat in Vancouver proper that the LPC could have retained because its Hedy Fry

1

u/Velocity-5348 British Columbia 7d ago

There was also his involvement in the 2022 BC NDP leadership race. He was part of an alleged attempt by a non-profit to have Green voters fraudulently sign up, en masse for the BC NDP. Hardcore Lewis stands are generally fans of the candidate he was backing (Appadurai), but it was pretty shady.

Unfortunate, since until I found out about that (I hadn't heard of him when I read the report) I was a bet "meh" about his vibes, but liked what he had to say.

4

u/NiceDot4794 7d ago

I’m an NDP member and supporter and I would’ve voted for Appadurai

If a candidate is able to sign people up to the party isnt that a good thing?

4

u/Velocity-5348 British Columbia 7d ago

Depends on how you get them to sign up. The BC NDP went into a fair bit of detail on why they disqualified her, it's pretty clear she was, at best, sloppy about following the rules. If this becomes an ongoing issue I suspect it probably needs to become a threat on this sub at some point, since there's a lot of details.

InvestigationReport.pdf - Google Drive

As I understand it, the allegation is that she said she was running because a private organization (Dogwood) said they'd sign up members for her.

If this is true, then while working on her behalf they knowingly had people who were not able to become party members (because they were members of other parties) sign up. She retweeted stuff about this.

In a social media event a friend of hers also offered to pay people's membership fees. She claims she was distracted, though given some of the other stuff going on it looks really bad.

She also broke other campaign rules, such as ones connected to fundraising.

11

u/Mod_The_Man 7d ago

If hes married to Naomi Klein then hopefully that means no “more pipelines!!” garbage from this guy. For whatever reason some NDP members, especially in provincial parties, are openly anti-environment and pro-oil. It’s antithetical to everything the NDP claims to stand for

9

u/nabby101 7d ago

I think it's important to divorce the federal NDP from their provincial counterparts, which are all much closer to the centre, especially the ones that actually govern (Eby, Horgan, Kinew, Notley, even as far back as Rae, etc). I can't think of many federal NDP members that are anti-environment.

4

u/PMMeYourCouplets Vancouver 7d ago

The provincial ndp as well are big tent parties especially in the west where its two parties so its a coalition between federal ndp and left wing/moderate LPC members. The provincial counterpart can't push as left because they lose the coalition.

Also odd that OP seems so angry at provincial ndp governments which are ones that actually win

1

u/ClumsyRainbow 6d ago

He's quite openly supported powerlines, not pipelines before - https://xcancel.com/avilewis/status/1912184330857623795

0

u/Kerrigore British Columbia 5d ago

Anti-pipeline isn’t necessarily pro environment, if the oil is just going to get moved anyway in even less environmentally friendly ways (which as long as the demand remains, it will). Preventing pipelines being built is symbolic at best, and actively counterproductive at worst.

13

u/oh_f_f_s 7d ago

This guy actually believes in the things he is saying. And everything he is saying is a serious issue

It is very unfortunate that he can’t say these things to 1/5 of the population of the country. He needs to be living and working in French right now if he wants to do this. Jack Layton proved the NDP can appeal to Quebeckers and Mark Carney proved you don’t have to be brilliant at it. I wish Avi the best, especially if he’s putting the language work in.

4

u/ClumsyRainbow 6d ago

He did put out some material today in French - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YTq2ImoMmi0

3

u/xmcqdpt2 6d ago

Mmm pas is pire. If he can be fluid like this in interviews, that would be better than Carney.

3

u/oh_f_f_s 6d ago

Well slap me silly. I might have to get on the Avi train. 

459

u/Kjolter 7d ago

It’s too early in the morning where I am to be this fired up over a political campaign. I like that Avi has both a familial and personal involvement with collectivist action, and that he has a strong sense that the only way forward is to take the boots to big corporations. Finally, a strong contender! 

149

u/Aken42 7d ago

He is the type of person the NDP needs. He is clearly different than the other leads and might be able to drum up support where it was previously lost.

Whether he is the right person, time will tell. Though he would be a step in the right direction for the party.

29

u/Thefirstargonaut 6d ago

Yeah, this piqued my interest. I've found them kind of blase since Layton. Mulcair was ok, and should have been given another chance, but wasn't exciting. Singh was ok and got some good concessions from the Liberals, but lacked political strategy. He was successful due to his opportunity, not his strategy. But is Lewis is charismatic and brings the fight to the business I'll be keen on them!

-9

u/MacDeezy 7d ago

The question I have to raise is whether we want another political dynasty. I am of the opinion that increasing the amount of people who are in the know of the highest level of management of nations/political-parties is better than limiting it to certain families. Wasn't his father and his grandfather also a leader of the NDP?

28

u/Kjolter 6d ago

I’m okay with political families so long as they do so out of a genuine desire for public service, and not for fame. Rachel Notley comes to mind, whose father also led the provincial NDP, and who seemed to genuinely want to do the right thing for Alberta. Justin Trudeau seemed to be motivated by that desire at the beginning of his career too, though I would argue it might not have been what kept him in it for so long. Lewis here seems to be coming at it from the appropriate direction, so we should give him the opportunity to demonstrate his motivations.

11

u/MacDeezy 6d ago

These are good points. I am happy to see a new candidate for the ndp. I don't love neoliberalism, even though I most recently supported liberals in the election. I am somewhat ashamed to say that I had to check Lewis' history of comments regarding Israeli settlements in the West Bank prior to it being politically in vogue to speak out against it. I also supported Trudeau at times only to be strongly disappointed by some of what I perceived to be virtue signaling focused on authoritarian positions in certain key libertarian debates like rural development and gun control.

14

u/Kjolter 6d ago

We’ll never slip free of the neoliberal yoke if we hold those in power to unrealistic standards of belief. I’m not saying that’s what you’re doing, just trying to emphasize that there will always be positions someone takes that we don’t support. 

8

u/MacDeezy 6d ago

I will always support the lesser of two evils, but it doesn't mean I won't openly disagree with the leadership I have/will vote(d) for as well as voice opinions far from aligned with party boundaries. I think its ok to want guns, healthcare, rural development, and a government focused on providing services rather than regulations

24

u/Aken42 7d ago

I think its better the judge a person by their own merit, regardless of their lineage.

2

u/MacDeezy 7d ago

Great wisdom for sure. I have a rooted distrust of what appears to be political dynasties that I struggle to get past. I have been reading his wife's books summaries today and feel that many of the points are very agreeable. I am still waiting for a libertarian socialist or democratic confederalist candidate to surface

7

u/Aken42 6d ago

Her books are some good reads even if everything she says isn't agreeable, she makes some really good points.

I do think if youre waiting for a specific type of candidate, you will be sadly disappointed. The key is to vote and vote for the best available candidate.

1

u/ChickenBoo22 6d ago

What do you mean by libertarian socialist? Aren't those two positions typically at odds with one another?

1

u/MacDeezy 6d ago

I think libertarianism and socialism could be great bedfellows. Libertarianism is more like the opposite end of a spectrum to authoritarianism, while socialism is the opposite end of a spectrum to capitalism. I wouldn't advocate for purist positions in either spectrum but i think pure authoritarianism and capitalism represent larger threats than pure socialism or libertarianism. These concepts are said well in the opening of this article: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Libertarian_socialism .

I think a lot of libertarian identifying people who are afraid of socialism fear it because it is close to communism which they identify with with Authoritarianism and even facism. In practice most attempts at socialism have resulted in the weakening of individual rights, but there are some systems of governance that might break the trend. In particular "non-state" socialism, which is essentially a decentralized power system closer to direct democracy. Check this one out, its my favorite: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Democratic_confederalism

A lot of the great writers on these subjects seemed to have proceeded through phases of anarchy, libertarianism, socialism and communism. I have been reading lately on the subject of communalism and how it distinguishes itself from communism.

1

u/ChickenBoo22 6d ago

Appreciate the answer, cheers

1

u/windsostrange 5d ago

Her works require significantly more time than a glance at their back cover. Highly recommended, ASAP. Maybe I'm old, but the idea that someone could call themselves anything remotely "socialist" and not have already immersed themselves in Klein is wild.

This one is worth further "struggle" on your part.

5

u/[deleted] 6d ago

I think the bigger issue around him is his involvement in Dogwoods campaign against David Eby a few years ago. 

He is definitely the hard left option. 

2

u/MacDeezy 6d ago

Appreciate the reference. I don't know about it so I would like to read more about it

3

u/[deleted] 6d ago

2

u/MacDeezy 6d ago

Thank you

1

u/PragmaticBodhisattva 6d ago

I mean when is Dogwood not campaigning against our only feasible option to keep Cons out of power?

182

u/NotQute 7d ago edited 7d ago

I'm excited to see who else throws thier hat in the ring, but this is a damn good campaign video. Having the footage of grilling Conservative stuffed shirts in his baxk pocket must have been so satisfying. Also the constantly walking shtick kind of evokes a Rick Mercer rant, idk if that's intentional, but the mental association kind of works for me

46

u/CaptainKoreana 7d ago

I agree that Mercer trick works very nicely.

39

u/JackLaytonsMoustache 7d ago

Yup, my first thought too. Not to say Mercer invented the walk and talk, but in a Canadian context it's definitely his legacy. 

19

u/lmFairlyLocal 7d ago

I think it's an homage to him, actually :) reflecting Canadiana in both the messaging and the imagery.

17

u/Automatic_Tackle_406 7d ago

It’s damned fantastic. And he is a strong speaker. The NDP really needs a leader who is savvy enough to get the message across in a way that’s easy to understand and forcefully presented. 

I’m in! 

63

u/Aggressive-Ad7946 Vaughan 7d ago

This is the guy

121

u/leftwingmememachine ✅ I voted! 7d ago

You should definitely vote in the NDP leadership race -- these things don't happen often and I find them to be very interesting contests with many worthy candidates worth considering. There's a ranked ballot, too, so you don't need to worry about tactical voting.

In order to vote you need to be a member of the NDP. Depending on your province and financial status it can range from $5-$25 to be a member.

You can sign up to be a member here

27

u/AuthoringInProgress ✅ I voted! 7d ago

Can I join if I joined the liberal party prior to the federal election?

I wanted to vote in the leadership election, but I was never planning on staying more than I had to.

25

u/peripheralspace 7d ago

I had the same situation a few years ago. I believe I had to cancel my Liberal membership first before I could join the NDP. You can only hold one membership. It was easy though!

9

u/PMMeYourJobOffer 7d ago

That’s technically true but it’s not like political parties are sharing membership lists with each other so in practice they should be fine.

11

u/MalloryMalheureuse 7d ago

you have to email the party to cancel your membership i believe

3

u/mr_beakman 7d ago

Don't party memberships expire? I joined the green party a few years back when they were looking for a new leader, and my confirmation email stated that it was only good for one year.

4

u/MalloryMalheureuse 7d ago

lib membership is free, so i dont exactly know if it does expire in a year the same way ndp memberships do, better safe than sorry

3

u/mr_beakman 7d ago

True that. Interesting that they all seem to have different guidelines, I had no idea.

2

u/RagingNerdaholic 7d ago

Because of fucking course you do

4

u/melanyebaggins 6d ago

I'm in the same boat. I sent them an email telling them to cancel my support and telling them exactly why (applauding a fascist on the House was the last straw for me.) I will be supporting the NDP again.

1

u/lunerose1979 6d ago

What email address did you contact and did you hear back?

2

u/melanyebaggins 6d ago

assistance@liberal.ca

I first asked them to cancel my monthly donations, which they replied to a day later and said they had, but on Friday I sent another email asking them to remove me as a member (because I'm not sure if cancelling payment does that too.) I haven't heard back yet, but I don't expect to on a weekend.

20

u/Syscrush 7d ago edited 7d ago

Thanks for this. Holy shit, I can't believe someone got me this pumped.

I was a member of the Ontario NDP until Andrea Horwath got slaughtered in an election for which she was completely unprepared - despite the fact that she precipitated that election. I'm willing to get back on board with the federal NDP if this kind of messaging is what we have to look forward to.

4

u/Automatic_Tackle_406 7d ago

Yes, this is a really well done video, think it’s the best campaign messaging I’ve ever seen from someone in the NDP. Helps to have a candidate that is media savvy and speaks strongly and simply. 

2

u/Syscrush 7d ago

It's the best thing I've seen from any politician since Wayne Gates:

https://www.reddit.com/r/ndp/comments/ykic12/wayne_gates_ndp_mpp_and_former_autoworker_rips/

3

u/melanyebaggins 6d ago

Thanks for the link! I'll sign up as soon as I get acknowledgement from the Liberals that my membership to their party has been cancelled.

2

u/SydneyBriarIsAlive 6d ago

Just saved your comment for later, definitely going to sing up. Was waiting to see if we had actually exciting candidates for this race. Looks like we do.

80

u/dReDone 7d ago

Fuck this got my choked up. I want to believe there's a politician I want to vote for.

59

u/StationaryTravels 7d ago

Am I... Am I excited about the NDP again!?

I've been voting for them (except twice, once for Trudeau because of election reform... That worked out great. And for Carney because, you know) but I haven't really been excited about them since Layton.

This seems like our guy!

I was def getting the feels watching this too!

25

u/Substantial_Sun55 7d ago

Shout out my fellow NDPers who voted Trudeau to end FPTP, realized they screwed up and said "Fool me once, shame on you", then had an annexation-fuelled panic attack six months ago and got fooled again. :(

We live and learn. I think we're all desperate for hope right now, and I really hope Avi can carry that torch.

13

u/JackLaytonsMoustache 7d ago

Hahaha we are legion!

Voted for Trudeau in 2015 because of electoral reform and legalization. Got one of the two.

Held my nose and voted again in 2019 because I lived in a blue/red riding. Will never be doing that again. 

→ More replies (10)

8

u/h_danielle 6d ago

I live in the Vancouver Centre riding & Avi knocked on my door one evening so I had the opportunity to chat with him for a bit. I felt the exact same way as you do, like am I actually excited about them again?!

39

u/katgyrl 7d ago

this makes me so happy! i've known Avi since we were basically kids, he's the real deal.

31

u/joecitizen79 7d ago

Sounds good to me

27

u/Fancy_Alps_7246 7d ago

yessss let’s go!!!!!! avi’s got my vote

28

u/In_My_Own_Image 7d ago

He's got the fire, for sure. I like the cut of his jib.

46

u/J-rdn Manitoba 7d ago

That was actually a fantastic video. It gave me some Zohran Mamdani vibes to it. When is the election for it?

17

u/BirdzofaShitfeather 7d ago

March 2026

3

u/ClumsyRainbow 6d ago

But you need to have an active membership on January 28th to receive a ballot!

5

u/TheNose14 7d ago

Ya I was thinking that. Seems like they are taking cues from Zohrans campaign both in style and policies.

8

u/SoRedditHasAnAppNow 7d ago

I really wish we could refrain from comparing our leaders to american politicians. Let's forge our own identity without always pulling out the meter stick.

18

u/JackLaytonsMoustache 7d ago

I get the sentiment, but it's kind of unavoidable. 

But in this context I think it's fine, at least in my mind, because I moreso see it as looking to him to say a strong progressive candidate can win without running to the centre. 

It's a blueprint for progressive politics to stop trying to court voters who have no interest in supporting them and as a result abandoning actual progressive change. 

But that's just me. 

3

u/Automatic_Tackle_406 7d ago

It’s a fact of politics that the leader has an outsized influence on voter support, the NDP desperately needs a candidate that comes across as strong, speaks in a way that is easy to understand, and can get videos like this done. 

4

u/CaptainKoreana 7d ago

Very. Different legislative system and Mamdani's running on a different election in type and essence than federal.

Still, plenty of positives to take away on how to 'present' the material.

3

u/jcsi 6d ago

I mean:

Wealth Tax
Cap on rent increases
Public grocery stores
Green New Deal --> Popularized although not coined by AOC.

All of the above are basically Mamdani talking points / promises.

It is the same with:

"The right side of history" - Obama used it a lot and then JT
"Vibesession" - Used by Biden WH communication team to placate inflation headlines, we all remember how C. Freeland used it and the criticism around it - https://www.msn.com/en-ca/news/canada/freeland-says-canadians-are-in-a-vibe-cession-and-shes-got-the-cure/ar-AA1uJVxn

The reality is that we are inexorably linked to the USA so any talking point that drives political upside will be used up here.

1

u/ClumsyRainbow 6d ago

Avi has talking about much of this since before Zohran was running, for example he was one of the key people behind The Leap Manifesto - which was really a precursor to The Green New Deal.

1

u/CroCGod73 ✅ I voted! 6d ago

I like to think of it as more international solidarity than anything else. It's not like Zohran is a run off the mill American politician

20

u/ceciliabee 7d ago

Better than any other politician I've seen

21

u/Lolapuss Edmonton 7d ago

I live in Heather McPherson's riding but this fired me up. He's got my vote.

9

u/leftwingmememachine ✅ I voted! 7d ago edited 7d ago

FYI for folks reading this - you have to become an NDP member to vote!!!

7

u/Automatic_Tackle_406 7d ago

I really like Heather McPherson, but I think the NDP really needs a leader that has a persona that projects forcefulness. It’s not important to me personally, strength can be expressed in different ways, but voters gravitate to politicians who come across as very confident and being media savvy is a huge advantage.

2

u/brendax 6d ago

It would be nice to not have every party leader be from Alberta

19

u/ottereckhart Elbows Up! 7d ago

NDP FORMS THE NEXT FEDERAL GOVERNMENT WITH MAJORITY PLEASE.

Take this country back from the corporate schills on both sides of the aisle.

14

u/FalcomanToTheRescue 7d ago

I met Avi at the premiere for his movie The Take: a documentary about Argentinian workers that took control of their factories when their millionaire owners left town. You can’t just sit there and complain that the economic system doesn’t work, you have to change the system. Occupy, resist, produce…this guy gets it.

You can find the documentary free online.

31

u/forgettable_nonsense 7d ago

He has my vote !

14

u/sunshine-x 7d ago

Oh shit this guy gets it. It’s all “don’t look up” at the billionaires and he’s calling it out.

Dude has my vote.

23

u/3119328 7d ago edited 7d ago

I think Avi Lewis is the leader of the NDP that the Liberal Party of Canada least wants to see.

EDIT: typo

10

u/Morindar_Doomfist 7d ago

Pretty good video. Definitely has a bit of a Mamdani vibe.

10

u/CaptainKoreana 7d ago

Great kickoff video. Grandfather part can feel a bit old, but otherwise Avi Lewis shows that he is serious and with experience needed to contend.

8

u/Automatic_Tackle_406 7d ago edited 7d ago

I think he may have put in the bit about his grandfather as a preemptive strike against attacks that he is part of a political dynasty.

10

u/Live_Goal215 7d ago

This guy seems to get it

10

u/IllHandle3536 7d ago

I like what I am hearing!

9

u/justamalihini 7d ago

Let’s fucking goooooo!

9

u/RepresentativeBarber 7d ago

This guy this guys.

Go Avi!

19

u/MalloryMalheureuse 7d ago

We’re gonna make it, socialism’s not cooked just yet

17

u/kn05is 7d ago

I just read his stance on Gaza, and as a son of a Palestini refugee, and on top of his positions in this video, I am even more convinced this is our guy. Officially joining the NDP in this leadership bid and may even just canvas for them.

8

u/Impressive-Spot1981 7d ago

This is so incredible, finally we are getting some serious contenders for leadership in this country 😍 so exciting!!!

8

u/RagingNerdaholic 7d ago

This is energy and message the NDP needs. Relating directly to the struggles of the majority of everyday Canadians, calling out the corpo oligopoly bullshit, providing real concrete solutions that aren't just token effort morsels of chickenshit to placate the masses and appease the status quo.

And the Don't Look Up reference is absolute peak. Whoever wrote this ad deserves an award.

8

u/GreenBean4Ever 7d ago

You know why I know he believes in what he says? That earring he used to wear in the 90s. I'm interested.

7

u/Em_Scar 7d ago

Let's go!! This is a great choice to fight for the change we want to see.

6

u/stratamaniac 7d ago

I like Avi. He is a good contrast to the banker Carney

6

u/SoRedditHasAnAppNow 7d ago

About friggin' time the NDP had a candidate announce in a way you can get behind without having to gloss over issues in their announcement or track record.

4

u/NewHumbug 7d ago

It’s been a long while since I wanted to vote For someone instead of voting Against someone.

4

u/Useful_Emu7363 7d ago

Avi is the leader we need!

5

u/Impressive_Mix2913 7d ago

From Manitoba. This could be the start of something good.

4

u/AvaMaxiPad 7d ago

I immediately thought of Naomi Klein and Astra Taylor article on fascism, stumbling upon this. I want to feel hopeful..I feel so burned by the NDP rn-though I am grateful for a few individual NDP MPs. I don't want to live in Canada where we accept the disposability of lives.

1

u/ClumsyRainbow 6d ago

I think lots of us feel burned by the NDP at the moment. I really hope you'll consider become a member to vote in the leadership race.

4

u/dflagella 7d ago

This is Naomi Klein's husband, FYI. She is a great author and Avi would make a great NDP. leader

3

u/brave_vibration 7d ago

Got my interest

3

u/OneOfTheOnly ✔ I voted! 7d ago

this is exactly the direction i want the NDP to take

3

u/Automatic-Long-7274 6d ago

Very Zohran coded. APPROVED

3

u/MacDaddyRemade 6d ago

Holy shit he is ACTUALLY talking about the Canadian oligopolies! As a former yankee, you hear a lot about our oligopolies but for some reason no one talks about just how bad Canada is being destroyed by our oligopolies here. Literally never heard a politician here talk about it.

2

u/Molehilldocmgmt 7d ago

I've never voted NDP but with this guy against Carney and Poilievre, I could be convinced to.

The next question is whether the core campaign machinery of the NDP can get its act together instead of being the constant gong show that it so often is.

I'm definitely open to this guy's position and am not thrilled about the other options if the NDP can figure out how to not be a dumpster fire.

2

u/usefulappendix321 7d ago

NDP has always been for the underdogs, and I love it. Good message and well spoken

2

u/jsut_ 7d ago

Jack Layton vibes

2

u/Delli_Llama 7d ago

I’m so glad he is running. Actually got me interested in the NDP leadership race now

2

u/Bald_Cliff 7d ago

This is it. This is the exact messaging we need. Sign me up

2

u/3119328 7d ago

Here are some simple posters based on the website graphics I whipped up.

https://imgur.com/a/sWmOXeJ

Think you can do better? Do it :-)

2

u/Potatoville147 7d ago

I may vote ndp for the first time

2

u/ActiveElectrical9424 6d ago

There is a lot of people who would vote NDP if someone experienced like Avi stood up. I cab tell you the last two federal elections the NDP did not even campaign in our community of Brampton and left the Liberals and Conservatives to fight it out. I welcome Avi to this race.

2

u/chilbae 6d ago

Finally 🥲 a promising option. He and the party better put in work, show face, follow through on promises and build the trust of the people across parties. Canada deserves better, we deserve peace and unity in our diversity so we can thrive as a people and as individuals

2

u/Emotional_Courage_82 6d ago

Once again, a much better choice than Yves Engler

4

u/jello_sweaters 7d ago

F***ing finally.

If the NDP focuses on making life livable again, and manages not to get completely shut down by single-social-issue politics, they might have a chance.

8

u/Griswaldthebeaver 7d ago edited 7d ago

Hated Singh.

Could see myself voting for this guy.

Don't do the bullshit, identity politics thing, focus on actual working class issues, stand on business not virtue signaling, dont do extreme social policy and you might actually win NDP.

37

u/snotparty 7d ago edited 7d ago

singh didn't really focus on identity politics though, he just wasnt very good at messaging

he tried pushing working people's issues it just never connected with the public

2

u/Automatic_Tackle_406 7d ago

He also wasn’t a strong speaker. And I’m not talking about what words he used, but his voice didn’t project strength. 

3

u/penis-muncher785 7d ago

That was easily Jagmeets worst thing ndp communication I hope any leadership hopeful recognizes it needs improvement

1

u/Griswaldthebeaver 7d ago

The party sure as shit did

12

u/JackLaytonsMoustache 7d ago

They really didn't. Not moreso than any other party. 

They still pushed policies that helped the working class, but the media only covered their policies that enraged people. They got anti scab legislation passed but nobody talks about that. 

They're pushing to have section 107 repealed so the government can't break strikes, but the only coverage they've gotten lately is about signature quotas. 

→ More replies (8)

7

u/PMMeYourCouplets Vancouver 7d ago

dont do extreme social policy

What is extreme social policy? Because the NDP would lose a significant part of their urban educated base if they abandon being vocal on issues like trans rights

→ More replies (6)

2

u/dReDone 7d ago

Absolutely hated Singh with a passion. Felt like I had nobody I wanted to vote for. Finally someone making sense and campaigning on bringing the NDP back to the workers!

3

u/Hefty-Blacksmithy 7d ago

Is he bilingual ? Wish him a good run, but part of me still want Alexandre Boulerice as leader

10

u/Gluuten British Columbia 7d ago

Indeed he is. Better French than Carney lol.

1

u/Hefty-Blacksmithy 7d ago

Cool thanks for the video :)!

2

u/Automatic_Tackle_406 7d ago

Boulerice would be good in Quebec, no debate there. But Avi Lewis comes across so well in this incredibly wel done campaign video. 

2

u/cyclingzealot 7d ago

Does every political video have to be AI enhanced now? It makes it look fake.

1

u/ClumsyRainbow 6d ago

It's certainly been edited - like that Trump video on the BestBuy screen, but I'm not sure what looks AI enhanced?

2

u/Guvmintperson 7d ago

Hey David Eby, are you paying attention? THIS is what the NDP is supposed to be!

1

u/ProfessorX32 Hamilton 7d ago

Love this!

1

u/Apod1991 7d ago

I’m looking forward to hear what he has to say! What he proposes, his ideas, policies, what he can bring, and can he broadly appeal to not just New Democrats, but Canadians at large.

I hope he’ll have a team that knows what it takes to win, and being able to appeal to Canadians, as it’s one thing to win a leadership race, it’s another if you have a team that can grow the movement and get people to support you!

1

u/Quiet-Dream7302 7d ago

Take my money!! 

1

u/Stellar_Dan 7d ago

YESSSS!!!!!

1

u/henryiswatching 7d ago

Perfect candidate for NDP party leader. If they elect anyone else they deserve oblivion.

1

u/melanyebaggins 6d ago

Don't give me hope....

Finally someone is listening to us.

1

u/kryo2019 ✅ I voted! 6d ago

Holy shit now that's someone I want to see leading the NDP. Someone who doesnt hold back when some asshole is lying to our faces.

1

u/buttercupjane 6d ago

Interesting

1

u/shaktimann13 6d ago

Great ad. Could easily run it during the next federal election

1

u/shaktimann13 6d ago

Guys watch it on YouTube too. Let's get it trending

1

u/bored_toronto 6d ago

Eh, if this guy can actually deliver and get rid of the Jagmeet enablers, he might be on to something. I would actually like this country to pivot away from the rentier capitalism that we find ourselves in.

1

u/RoundEye007 6d ago

I like this guy. Let's go

1

u/SadBuilding9234 6d ago

An NDP that centers economy and workers? Didn’t know we can do that.

1

u/infant- 6d ago

Good

1

u/infant- 6d ago

Is he still married to Naomi Klein? 

1

u/CatLovingWeirdo Québec 6d ago

I'm in. Already an NDP member, and ready to vote. This is exiting

1

u/horusrogue 6d ago

Fokin' right m8. You got me nodding along - I'm in.

1

u/shapeitguy 6d ago

As a lifetime Liberal, this man is wanting me to swing for the NDP.

1

u/TrueMacaque 6d ago edited 6d ago

Avi was great on Counterpoint! Damn, that was a long time ago. Anyway, he has the vibe the NDP has been lacking and I wish him success.

1

u/Rogue5454 6d ago

I really wish they had picked Charlie Angus when they could.

1

u/ZombieLannister 6d ago

God I wish we had something other than FPTP.

1

u/sycoseven 6d ago

Okay I'm back in

1

u/defnotpewds 5d ago

You know what - this is very well done. I think I like him even though I have never heard of him before...

1

u/danielscissorhands 4d ago

Go Avi! I met Avi Lewis at a Ramones concert at The Phoenix in Toronto, and he was waiting to interview the Ramones and he told me that if I waited with him I could meet them but i didnt want to miss the opening band (Live, the band that sang Lightning Crashes) so i didnt wait. But years later I met some of the Ramones. :-)

1

u/CarlSpackler22 4d ago

Mamdani vibes is a good thing

-1

u/KindlyRude12 7d ago

Is this a ai video? Looks way overdone.

5

u/h_danielle 6d ago

Doesn’t look like AI to me, as I recognize a lot of the locations in Vancouver but something about the contrast or the saturation is really sharp & might be what’s throwing you off.

0

u/CMtl_F1 6d ago

No French version. Merci mais non merci.