Most NDP Leadership Candidates Say They’re in No Hurry to Become MPs

NDP leadership candidates Tanille Johnston from left to right, Tony McQuail, Avi Lewis, Heather McPherson and Rob Ashton, pose for a photo after the NDP English language leadership debate, in New Westminster, B.C., on Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ethan Cairns

Four of the five federal NDP leadership candidates say they won’t be in a hurry to enter the House of Commons if they win—a position the only MP in the race calls “a little bit odd.”

Filmmaker Avi Lewis said if he is chosen as the new NDP leader next week, his main priority will be to prepare the party’s grassroots for an election.