The leaders of the Alberta and Saskatchewan New Democratic parties are distancing themselves from newly elected federal NDP leader Avi Lewis, saying his policies would hurt their provinces’ resource sectors.
On March 29 during the NDP’s convention in Winnipeg, Lewis was chosen by members as the federal party’s new leader on the first ballot with 56 percent of the votes.
Lewis is strongly opposed to oil and gas development, saying Canada should prioritize greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reductions and focus on renewable energy.
Leader of the Alberta NDP Naheed Nenshi speaks to media in Edmonton on Feb. 27, 2025. (The Canadian Press/Jason Franson)
“The relentless increase in Oil and Gas production in Canada has already cancelled out all GHG reductions in all other sectors and made us a climate pariah in the G7,” he said in one such remark on oil and gas in October 2025….