Avi Lewis ramps up NDP push in Quebec as Liberals face climate backlash

While Prime Minister Mark Carney called three nationwide byelections to preserve his majority, NDP chief Avi Lewis used July to embed himself in Montreal’s political scene. He focused on Rosemont-La Petite-Patrie and Laurier-Sainte-Marie, anticipating the resignations of independent Alexandre Boulerice and Liberal Steven Guilbeault, respectively. Lewis combined daily French tutoring with canvassing alongside candidates Pierre Céré, a former Parti Québecois leadership contender, and Nimâ Machouf, an epidemiologist and pro-Palestinian activist.

Voters repeatedly voiced opposition to the government’s Alberta pipeline proposal and urged a shift toward renewables, especially after this summer’s wildfires. Lewis also mentioned that some Liberal figures are defecting to the NDP over climate and AI policy disagreements. Though he stopped short of declaring a Liberal collapse, he suggested “cracks” are emerging as the party’s climate stance draws criticism.