The English-language debate will be a critical opportunity for candidates to sway NDP members before voting starts next month. It could also be something of a palate cleanser after the all-anglophone field stumbled through November’s French debate in Montreal. NDP executive director Michael Gardiner told National Post that Lewis would be harmful to the provincial wing as federal leader. NDP) would be best served by someone who plays (well) with blue-collar families, and that’s not Avi Lewis,” said Gardiner. Expect Lewis, McPherson and the other candidates onstage to be quizzed on keeping Canada safe in a changing world.

Source: National Post February 19, 2026 15:28 UTC