Now Avi Lewis has his very own Pierre Poilievre problem

As long as these Pierre Poilievre-driven dynamics remain in place, the NDP seems destined to be squeezed out in two-party Liberal-Conservative contests.

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, left, and new NDP Leader Avi Lewis. The NDP puzzle is that the federal ballot polarized into a two-party race, where Poilievre, though losing the 2025 election, still managed to gain 24 seats, 12 of them from the NDP, writes Ken Polk. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade and Matthew Merkel

Opinion

BY KEN POLK

April 2, 2026

OTTAWA—Congratulations, Avi Lewis. As the newly minted leader of the federal NDP, you now have to find a way to deal with the party’s biggest problem: Pierre Poilievre.

To keep reading, subscribe and become a political insider.

Only $7.76 a week for an annual subscription.

Enjoy unlimited website access and the digital newspaper.

Cancel anytime.

Already a Subscriber?

Get Weekend Point of View Newsletter

A round up of the past weekâ€™s opinion writers and columnists on Saturdays and Sundays.

By entering your email address you consent to receive email from The Hill Times containing news, analysis, updates and offers. You may unsubscribe at any time. See our privacy policy