But in truth, I’m missing the everyday with my wife and our 12 yr old son. So most school mornings, I leap out of bed at 7am, make him breakfast and pack him a lunch, and snatch an hour of normality on the sidelines of the marathon sprint of the campaign.
This past week we were talking over breakfast pizza about how many people are thinking about voting out of fear in this election - fear of Trump’s trade war, of Conservatives coming to power, of things getting so much worse. And in the middle of my too-long explanation, my kiddo bursts out, “you should tell people that if they want Canada to be different from the United States, they have to vote for the party that made Canada different from the United States!”
From the mouths of tweens, eh? 🙂
This week I made a short statement on parenting and neurodiversity - because policy is personal. We are fighting for a society grounded in a completely different set of values: care for the earth and one another.
Read the post
This week I voted in the advance poll for Vancouver’s municipal by-election, and felt that quiet thrill of leaning on a lever to try to effect change at city hall. I marked my ballot for Lucy Maloney and Sean Orr - people I trust to change the dynamics on city council, and fight for a safer and more livable city for all.
Voting, showing up, choosing a different path—it matters more than ever. Canada’s sovereignty is on the line. Not as some abstract idea, but in everyday reality. Trade deals lock us into corporate agendas. Housing gets snapped up by speculative interests. Decisions about our lives are made far from our communities. We need leaders willing to challenge this concentration of power—and urgently.
By the way if you are reading this on April 5th today is the municipal by-election. If you haven't already please go out and vote today.
We spoke out again this week about renters’ rights. There are of course many dimensions to the housing crisis and how to solve it. But there are some fundamental policies that could change the game for a huge number of people in Vancouver Centre in the very short term. That’s why we’re calling for National Rent Control Now! We’re fighting to protect renters, rein in corporate landlords, and prioritize housing as a human right.
Our stance for renters: “Jurisdiction is a word politicians use when they don't want to do something.” And yet, the federal government plays a leadership role in so many areas of shared jurisdiction, from funding hospitals to delivering dental care. No one said health care was easy to coordinate across levels of government, but we still expect action! Why should housing be any different?
It's time the federal government stepped up for renters the way the NDP made them step up for dental care—by investing, legislating, and showing political courage.
Last Sunday, we opened our campaign office. It wasn’t just a packed room, it was sizzling! Naomi Klein and Anjali Appadurai spoke - with immense feeling and some excellent jokes at my expense. In my speech, I tried to offer folks some clarity about the kind of politics we need right now and the scale of ambition we need to respond to the gigantic challenges we face. It wasn't just an event - it felt like a moment of ignition.
And from that energy, we activated our supporters with a clear invitation: we need you. The momentum is real—and it’s growing. Now’s the time to carry it forward.
So let’s turn that momentum into action:
Sign up to volunteer
Chip in if you can
Join our next canvass or phone bank
Finally, I’ll leave you with a few words from someone whose courage and integrity have guided Canada for decades.
David Suzuki is one of our country’s great moral compasses. As a scientist, broadcaster, and environmental advocate, he’s relentlessly reminded us of our collective responsibilities—and what it takes to change course.
I’m honoured by his support:
“Avi has a fire inside him to understand issues and people inside and out and he's clearly driven more than anything to see meaningful solutions become a reality.
He has been a courageous investigative journalist and documentarian truth teller. He’s a fantastic community organizer bringing a wide range of people together to participate in co-creating the world we know we need in order to survive the challenges we face” — David Suzuki [1]
With humility, urgency, and hope,
Avi Lewis
Your NDP Candidate in Vancouver Centre
1: David Suzuki's political activities are personal and do not represent the views or position of the David Suzuki Foundation.