Leah Gazan backs Avi Lewis, becomes first NDP MP to endorse a leadership candidate

NDP MP Leah Gazan rises during question period in the House of Commons on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Friday, June 14, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/ Patrick Doyle

OTTAWA — Manitoba NDP MP Leah Gazan is formally endorsing documentarian Avi Lewis for the party’s leadership, making her the first sitting MP to officially back a candidate.

Gazan says in a video released Thursday that she is supporting Lewis because she sees him as someone who can rebuild the party and offer solutions to the high cost of living and climate crisis.

“I’m supporting Avi because he can blow open the doors of our movement, making it a home for everyone who believes in economic, social and environmental justice,” Gazan said in the video while standing beside the leadership candidate.

“He can unify progressives, and bring back those who have left our party by offering bold solutions to the crises we face.”

The video concludes with both Gazan and Lewis pushing for people to sign up as NDP members before Jan. 28 so they can vote for the new leader. That is also the date for candidates to pay the final of four instalments for the $100,000 entry fee.

High-profile environmentalist David Suzuki endorsed Lewis on Tuesday.

Other NDP leadership candidates have secured high-profile endorsements in the weeks leading up to the Jan. 28 membership cutoff date.

Former Ontario MP Charlie Angus has thrown his support behind Alberta MP Heather McPherson, saying that rebuilding the party is not an “entry level position” and New Democrats need someone who knows how to win.

Union leader Rob Ashton has secured the endorsement of the United Steelworkers union, a founding partner in the NDP with a well-resourced political organizing wing.

All candidates who make the final payment will meet in B.C. for an English language debate on Feb. 19.

The new NDP leader will be announced at the party’s convention in Winnipeg on March 29.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 15, 2025.

David Baxter, The Canadian Press