WINNIPEG — NDP leadership frontrunner Avi Lewis pledged to bring unity to Canada's federal New Democratic Party during his final media appearance before Sunday's leadership announcement, while refusing to back down from previous criticisms of prominent moderate party figures.
Speaking to reporters on Saturday, Lewis defended his earlier comments targeting Thomas Mulcair, the former federal NDP leader and Quebec lieutenant, saying Mulcair's strategic decisions damaged the party's electoral prospects and long-term positioning.
"I think Tom Mulcair made a decision in the 2015 election that cost us a lot, and there's still a lot of hard feelings within the NDP about his tack to the right," Lewis told reporters in Winnipeg.
The leadership candidate doubled down on his assessment that Mulcair's pivot toward the political centre ahead of the 2015 federal election set the party back significantly, contributing to years of electoral struggles for the NDP.
Lewis's comments highlight ongoing tensions within the federal NDP between progressive and moderate factions as the party prepares to select its new leader. The leadership race has exposed ideological divisions that continue to influence party strategy and direction.
The 2015 federal election saw the NDP fall from Official Opposition status to third place in Parliament, losing 51 seats as Justin Trudeau's Liberals swept to a majority government. Many within the party have since debated whether Mulcair's centrist approach contributed to the electoral defeat.
As the party prepares for Sunday's leadership announcement, Lewis faces the challenge of reconciling his campaign promises of unity with his continued criticism of party moderates. The leadership contest will determine the NDP's direction as it seeks to rebuild its political fortunes ahead of the next federal election.
The new leader will inherit a party looking to regain relevance in Canadian federal politics while navigating internal divisions over policy direction and electoral strategy.
This article was based on reporting from the National Post.