We’re off and running in this historic election! For us here in Vancouver Centre, there are two very different levels to this democratic exercise: while most eyes are on the national conversation, we’re laser-focused on the lives and concerns of our neighbours here in this beautiful yet expensive, inspiring and contradictory city.
This campaign is powered by people who’ve had enough—of sky-high rents, rising grocery bills, and the feeling that too many in power say the right things, but don’t follow through. We hear the promises. We want to believe them. But when nothing changes—and the cost of living keeps climbing, it’s fair to ask: who are they really working for?
We’re meeting this moment with urgency, honesty, and hope. We’re building a community of passionate, dedicated, kind and like-minded folks. And we’re only just getting started.
📖 Read more about why this election matters so much.
🎬 Campaign Videos
This week, we dropped a few short campaign videos—focused squarely on the biggest issue on everyone's mind right now: the escalating trade war with Trump and what we can do locally.
🎥 Watch: What We Can Control
🎥 Watch: How To Fight Trumps Trade War
✊ Fighting for Rent Control
In Vancouver Centre, more than half of us are renters and rents are simply out of control. Renovictions and demovictions are far too common: I talk to people every day who have experienced one or both multiple times. And we're hearing directly from people that they feel let down by their long-standing MP here. She's tired, I get it! But everybody is tired. We need someone with the energy to fight for us. And I am ready.
Housing is a human right—and renters here need a champion.
So the NDP are calling for national rent control. Because no one should be at the mercy of a real estate giant just trying to squeeze out more profit.
Right now, corporate landlords are buying up rental housing across Canada—turning homes into investment vehicles and driving rents through the roof.
The federal government can act. It can set national standards, enforce real protections for renters, and put a stop to the corporate consolidation.
Let’s build a country where housing is treated as a human need—not an investment strategy.
📖 Learn more about our rent control plan.
🪧 Signs of the Times
It’s happening: signs are going up in windows, on balconies across Vancouver Centre. Every sign is a quiet act of courage. A signal to your neighbours. A signal to your neighbours that it's safe to vote for the NDP here; the Conservatives can't win here and Dr. Fry's three decades as our MP are coming to a close.
📸 Snap a photo and tag me on any of the social channels below or reply to this email and share your pics—we’re building a sign mural!
📸 This Week on the Ground
Four days in, and already, we’ve been everywhere.
And this is just the beginning.
This campaign runs on grassroots support. Every dollar helps us print more signs, reach more voters, and power the people-first movement we’re building right here in Vancouver Centre.
🎉 Office Opening Party
On Sunday, we opened the doors of our new campaign office, and Vancouver Centre showed up in full force. Neighbours, volunteers, and supporters packed the room with joy, determination, and a powerful sense of what is possible. The energy was electric. Naomi Klein and Anjali Appadurai reminded us what bold, fearless politics can feel like. Conversations flowed like coffee, and more than one new volunteer signed up on the spot.
This launch party was not just a celebration. It was ignition. Boots are hitting the pavement. Knuckles are knocking on doors. The next chapter of this campaign is already underway. Let’s keep going.
🧡 A Final Word, From My Friend Rueben
When Rueben George first endorsed our campaign, I felt deeply honoured. Rueben has been at the heart of so many struggles for land, water, and justice. To have his trust means the world—and he said it better than I ever could:
“I always look every politician deep in their eyes. It helps me get a sense of who they really are, and I did when I first met Avi.
I know that Avi has a beautiful spirit, and he is guided by some remarkable ancestors who will support him in doing the right thing.
I believe Avi could be one of the rare people we can really trust to speak the truth and stand up to say when something isn't right.”
With passionate solidarity and unstoppable resolve,
Avi Lewis
Your NDP Candidate in Vancouver Centre
A message from Barrett, Campaign Manager
Vancouver Centre deserves an MP who shows up for 2SLGBTQ communities every day of the year.
Canada needs a strong NDP opposition to protect what makes us different from the US, and your vote for Avi in Vancouver Centre could make all the difference.