New NDP Leader Avi Lewis Open to Advice from Predecessor Jagmeet Singh
WINNIPEG — In his first press conference since being proclaimed the new leader of the New Democratic Party, Avi Lewis stated he would be "delighted" to receive counsel from his predecessor Jagmeet Singh. This comes despite Singh overseeing the party's near-total collapse in last year's federal election.
Lewis made these remarks to reporters in Winnipeg on Sunday, March 29, 2026, following his first-ballot victory at the party convention. He was joined by former interim leader Don Davies and Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew during the celebration.
Praise for Singh's Connection with the Base
"There's so much love out there for Jagmeet in our base, in our party and beyond," Lewis emphasized. "And he's got some kind of magic that I would love a part of."
The new leader revealed that Singh had reached out to him and the other four leadership candidates after Sunday's announcement. Lewis confirmed he was attempting to arrange a call with his predecessor, though as of Monday morning, Singh had not publicly congratulated Lewis on social media.
Contrasting Approaches to Former Leaders
Lewis's openness to Singh's guidance stands in stark contrast to his position regarding another former NDP leader, Thomas Mulcair. In an interview last week, Lewis stated he had "no intention" of taking advice from Mulcair, who led the party to 44 seats in the 2015 election.
When questioned about Mulcair's suggestion that he run for a federal seat immediately, Lewis responded firmly on Saturday, declaring that fiscal moderates like Mulcair have "no future in the NDP."
"We represent different kinds of NDP, and that's not one that's part of our future," Lewis asserted, criticizing Mulcair's 2015 campaign promise to balance the federal budget in his first year as prime minister.
Critique of Past Strategic Decisions
Lewis argued that Mulcair's budget balancing pledge cost the NDP the 2015 election when the party was on the "verge of taking power." He characterized the promise as "an irresponsible decision" that would have meant "eviscerating social spending."
The democratic socialist, who represents the party's far-left faction, campaigned on substantial public spending initiatives including:
- Comprehensive public health care with dental and vision coverage
- A public option for food and groceries
- Expanded social programs
Electoral History and Previous Criticism
Lewis himself ran twice for a seat in British Columbia under Singh's leadership—in 2021 and 2025—finishing in third place both times. Despite his current praise for Singh, Lewis previously criticized the former leader's strategic decisions.
In an October 2025 interview with National Post, Lewis characterized Singh's 2022 supply and confidence agreement with then-Prime Minister Justin Trudeau as a strategic blunder.
Current Party Landscape
Singh led the NDP to its worst-ever electoral result in April's election, winning just seven seats and losing official party status. The situation has since worsened with former Nunavut MP Lori Idlout crossing the floor to join the governing Liberals, leaving the NDP with only six seats in the House of Commons.
As Lewis assumes leadership, he faces the formidable challenge of rebuilding a party that has reached its lowest parliamentary representation in decades while navigating relationships with both supportive and critical predecessors.
