This moment feels heavy, and there’s no point in sugar-coating it: fascism is on the march in the world today. The US election results are hurtful, bewildering, enraging, and depressing. But as Naomi Klein has been reminding us since The Shock Doctrine in 2007, these moments of shock can either be seized upon by anti-democratic forces to impose violent and unpopular policies, or—if we can keep our bearings and remember history—they can be opportunities for radical transformation. Moments when the seeds of a better world are planted in scorched earth. And so, we commit today to channel these big, hard feelings into meaningful action that transcends despair.
For me, this moment is a wake-up call, a spark that may very well catalyze real change and alter the political landscape here in Canada. I believe we can embrace this challenge and use it to redefine the way we live, care for each other, and confront the pressing issues of our time. This is about more than just politics—it's about building a new society that prioritizes human dignity, justice, and care.

The Harsh Truth and Our Responsibility
The harsh truth is this: the right has harnessed the bitterness left behind by neoliberalism's broken promises. Liberal elites were never going to save us. The mask has fallen, and the illusion of progress without real, structural change has been shattered.
As I have said before, it is only through collective, people-powered efforts that we can disrupt the status quo. We have no choice but to be our own saviours. It's time for us—those who believe in equity, community, and justice—to step up. We cannot wait for others to lead us; we must take the reins and drive the change we wish to see.
Our role is clear—and we’re already doing it! That’s the beauty of launching this campaign early. We are already showing up: in the streets, on doorsteps, reconnecting with people. We’re listening to their stories, sharing in their pain, and getting to work—together, here and now. This is key, and it’s something too often lacking in our politics: we have to meet people where they are—whether they’re living in fear, struggling to make ends meet, or feeling abandoned by the systems that should protect them. If we don’t address that pain, the far right will. They exploit fear and disillusionment, offering false solutions that divide us, rather than policies that confront the powerful and uplift the rest of us.
In British Columbia, food bank use has nearly doubled in the past five years. Most food bank users are renters—people in precarious situations, far too many working full-time and still unable to afford enough food for their families. These are our neighbours. And yet, who talks about food banks right now? Pierre Poilievre. He’s capitalizing on a real crisis, but his solutions would be a harsher version of the policies that got us here in the first place. Like the US under Trump, a Poilievre-led Canada is a recipe for things to get much, much worse.
So it’s up to us to address the systemic roots of poverty and insecurity with the same urgency that Naomi and I called for when co-authoring The Leap Manifesto with dozens of other social movement and Indigenous leaders from across this land. We need tangible, bold solutions that address crises at the scale and speed required: guaranteed housing, family-supporting jobs in care and repair, public ownership (or at least regulation with sharp teeth!) in essential sectors from internet access to supermarkets to heat pumps and mass transit. We need to invest in our communities, ensuring that no one is left behind.
We cannot let people who are struggling be exploited for political gain. We must reclaim the narrative about poverty, insecurity, and immigration by focusing on transformative solutions that bring dignity and security to everyone. This is about recognizing that our fates are intertwined. When we lift each other up, we all rise together.

Channelling Rage into Transformation
Here is where we start. As your candidate for Vancouver Centre, I pledge to you, and ask you to pledge to one another: let’s channel our rage and despair into something meaningful and alive with possibility. Let’s turn our anger into a force that drives positive change, that challenges the systems of power that have failed us, and that builds something better in their place.
This is our fight, and I am ready to take it all the way to Ottawa with your support. We need to be relentless in our pursuit of justice. This is not just about winning an election; it is about reshaping the political landscape so that it truly represents the needs and legitimate hopes of our community.
Let’s wrap our anger in love and use it to protect and uplift everyone. Let's speak to the fears and struggles of every person—whether they are poor, middle-class, homeless, tech workers, immigrants, or homeowners worried about their children's future. We must create spaces where people feel heard, valued, and empowered to act. Every conversation, every connection, every action counts. No one left behind.
We are already sowing the seeds of a new movement—rooted in radical compassion and genuine populism: rage at the elites, love for our neighbours. The other night, we had an incredible, inspiring women-led canvass in Olympic Village. Lucy Maloney, Libby Davies, Judy Schnarr, June James, and I knocked every door in a big building in Olympic Village. While US voters were electing Trump, we were making real connections on the doorstep, racking up support, election sign requests, and donations. And we welcomed many new volunteers who will come out to join us. We had moving and authentic conversations, even with Conservative voters, that left us feeling inspired and rejuvenated—all on the darkest political night in many years.
This is what real political engagement looks like: listening deeply, sharing freely, and finding common ground.

The Miles Method—our canvassing approach named after our brilliant field director, Miles Krauter—just works. It reflects the same grassroots activism I've championed throughout my career, emphasizing connection, momentum, and a genuine political offer. Now is the time to share it more broadly. We need your help to expand our reach. Whether it’s through conversations with friends, organizing local events, knocking doors, making phone calls, raising money, or simply spreading the word, every effort counts. You are a crucial part of this movement, and together we can create the change we so desperately need.
Imagine what we can achieve when we come together, refuse to accept the status quo, and believe in our collective power. Imagine a Vancouver where everyone has a safe place to live, where no one goes hungry, where we take care of each other and our planet. That vision is within our reach, but it requires all of us to step up and be part of the solution.
Onward with Courage and Love
We will not stop until we win, because everything we love is on the line. This moment feels painful, but we won’t be paralyzed by fear; instead, we’ll use all the hard feelings as fuel for our determination. Our movement is growing fast, and our commitment remains unbreakable.
With your support, we will take this message to every corner of Vancouver Centre. This is the moment to dig in, fight harder, believe in the power of people, and redefine what is politically possible. We will not stop until we build a Canada that reflects our fundamental values: that every human life is precious. That another world is possible—one built on care for the earth and each other.
With love and relentless determination,
Avi