Part 2/2

Avi Lewis’ acceptance speech upon becoming Leader of the NDP on March 29, 2026. Watch the original:

(This transcript is machine-generated. Unfortunately, portions of the speech spoken in French were not transcribed. Please check against delivery).

Of course, we can already hear the howls FROM THE ESTABLISHMENT. BUT HOW WILL YOU PAY FOR all this?  Well, let's remind them that this country is a wash in wealth. We can have nice things. [cheering]  

Banks made 70 billion in profits last year alone.  Oil companies are expecting a new windfall in the tens of billions.  Grocery Baron Galen Weston alone is worth $20 billion.

It is time, far past time, to properly tax the corporations and billionaires that have BEEN RIDING A TITLE WAVE OF PROFITS  while the 99% have been suffering and struggling and use that money to directly improve the lives of Canadians. The money is there. [cheering] [applause] The money is there, my friends. We need a government with the courage TO GO AND GET IT FOR ALL OF US. [cheering] [applause]  

And we need a government that doesn't just talk about Canadian values on the world stage. We need one that acts with moral clarity when it matters.  When missiles are falling on schools and hospitals,  when Israel commits a genocide in Gaza. We call it by its name and we do everything in our power to bring it to an end.  When the US and Israel start an illegal and reprehensible war against Iran that sets the world on fire, we say Canada should have absolutely no role in it whatsoever. [cheering]  [applause]  

Folks, for me personally, it is humbling to pick up the mantle of leadership from the long line of NDP leaders before me. My grandfather, David Lewis, who took over from Tommy Douglas, gave his life to the CCF and then the NDP. [applause] David worked tirelessly for the party from the 1930s until the 1970s. And then he was a pundit briefly afterwards, very briefly.

And friends, a lot of you know that my dad, Steven Lewis, is not doing too well, but he is still with us and hanging on to see the next chapter of our movement. [cheering] [applause] Ever ever the political fanatic, Dad has demanded daily updates about our organizing delivered to his hospital bed,  a veritable IV drip of campaign data. [applause]  At age 88, he is more passionate about the promise of democratic socialism than he has ever been in his life. [cheering] [applause]

But he told me something kind of heartbreaking that David, his father, said to him once. David said, "Son, not in my lifetime, but maybe in yours." And recently, my dad told me the same thing. "Not in my lifetime, maybe in yours." Well, Dad, I refuse to tell that to my kid.  [applause] [cheering]  We cannot wait another generation. We've got to start winning now. [cheering] [applause]

We know we can live in a country built on a foundation of care and connection. [applause] Where you don't have to fight every day just for the basics. Where hard work earns you a living. And if you can't work, you're not abandoned. [cheering and applause] And where our kids know, we are doing everything we can to protect the air and water and their right to a livable future. [applause]

[cheering]  That is why the NDP is coming back. Because we know that a thriving world is possible and we know who is standing in our way. And there are way more of US THAN THERE ARE OF THEM. [cheering] [applause]  

We just have to find each other [applause]  and that's what we've started on this campaign. I want to thank again my incredible team. Every single volunteer, donor, and voter who has powered this history-making movement over the past seven months. You have flung open the doors to this party. [cheering] [applause] Your energy and passion is the fuel for all the work ahead. And it's not going to stop just because the campaign is over. Organizing can no longer be something we do when the Writ drops. It's year round work. But the NDP fighting alongside labor movements, fighting alongside social movements, showing up where we are needed, part of a common front of decent Canadians. [cheering]  [applause]  

The NDP will start winning again because we will become that beacon to the 99%. [cheering]  illuminating the darkening sky of these terrifying times with the energizing light of collective struggle. Yes,  this is about all of us coming together to find our place and our power in the thrilling work of building a shared future, a government that works for the many, not the money.  Thank [cheering] you everyone. Thank you. LET'S GET TO WORK. [cheering] Thank you. [applause]