Manitoba NDP Member of Parliament Leah Gazan has officially announced her endorsement of documentary filmmaker Avi Lewis for the leadership position of the party, becoming the first current MP to publicly support a candidate. Gazan stated that she is backing Lewis due to her belief that he has the capacity to rejuvenate the party and provide solutions to the challenges posed by the high cost of living and the climate crisis.
On Tuesday, prominent environmentalist David Suzuki also threw his support behind Lewis. In the lead-up to the January 28 deadline for membership cutoff, various other candidates vying for the NDP leadership have garnered endorsements from notable figures.
Former Ontario MP Charlie Angus has endorsed Alberta MP Heather McPherson, emphasizing the need for experienced leadership in rebuilding the party. Rob Ashton, a union leader, has received the backing of the United Steelworkers union, a key partner in the NDP with a robust political organizing arm.
The endorsements come amidst a competitive landscape as candidates position themselves for the leadership race.