The greatest leadership race ever
Canada's NDP and BC Greens demonstrate that politicians are finally listening to young voters
Prince George, BC, March 23, 2026 - Young Canadians are the group least likely to vote. According to a study by the Canadian Labour Congress, “the problem is not that young people aren’t engaged, it’s that politicians and candidates aren’t engaging with them.”
This appears to be changing. BC Green Party leader Emily Lowen, 25, is very active on social media. Several of her posts have gone viral, thus influencing the actions of powerful Canadians. Lowen recently participated in an online campaign highlighting a BC billionaire’s plan to sell a warehouse in Virginia to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The resulting pressure was so great that Jim Pattison chose to withdraw from the deal.
Canada’s New Democratic Party also has a tremendous opportunity to appeal to the interests of young Canadians. In all my years of following Canadian politics, I don’t think I have ever seen a more exciting group vying for the leadership of a party. After watching a recent debate, I said to myself, “Wow! They are such good people!” While all are older than Lowen, they certainly understand the needs and interests of young Canadians.
The current front-runner heading into this week’s leadership convention is Avi Lewis. I’ve long admired Lewis, and his family has a profound history in the party. His grandfather was a former leader of the federal NDP, and his father was the leader of the Ontario NDP. His great-grandfather was involved in the Jewish Bund, a left-leaning political group in Europe, before fleeing to Canada. Much of what makes Canada a great country is because of the NDP, from our healthcare system to our respect for human rights and free speech.
Avi Lewis has spent his career as a journalist and educator, and his platform is groundbreaking. His vision is “a government that serves the many, and not the money.” In an age when many are frustrated about being exploited by the Epstein class, Lewis’s message is refreshing. He sincerely cares about people and recognizes our struggles and concerns, especially those of young Canadians. His plan, in a nutshell, is to improve our public services, care for the environment, and improve our voting system. He will address grocery prices and the housing crisis in proven ways, all the while getting wealthy Canadians to pay their fair share. Given that the average Canadian pays well over $1200/month to keep their vehicles on the road, Lewis’s plan to improve public transit (which is similar to that of Lowen) would significantly ease the financial stress of many Canadians.
Lewis’s greatest challenge at the convention will come from Edmonton-Strathcona Member of Parliament Heather McPherson. They share very similar views on the Palestinian issue, with McPherson winning the admiration and respect of countless Canadians. She was often shouted down and frankly, harassed, by members of Pierre Poilievre’s caucus for speaking out on behalf of suffering children in Gaza. She also has a proven track record, having done amazing work for her constituents. She has been re-elected twice in Canada’s most conservative province. Her greatest drawback is that she has difficulty expressing her views to French-speaking Canadians, though this is improving.
Other leadership candidates include WeWaiKai First Nation member Tanille Johnston, and a Quaker farmer named Tony McQuail. Both have impressive platforms and of course, are outspoken on the Palestine issue. Only Rob Ashton appears to me as a middle-of-the-road candidate, and thus unlikely to attract new voters.
The Liberal Party of Canada has taken a hard turn to the right and is failing to speak with conviction on foreign affairs issues under Mark Carney. The time is right for the NDP to fill a huge void in the Canadian political landscape and attract young, principled, working-class Canadians.
I can’t wait to see who the party chooses, and I hope that young Canadians will show up and vote in their own self-interest in the next federal election.