@avilewis@mstdn.ca avatar avilewis , to random

Despite the supposed ‘ceasefire,’ Gaza is still being starved, bombed, and invaded by Israel in real time. The genocide in Palestine has not stopped and Canada is complicit. The bombs and shells raining down on Gazans are being made with Canadian technology and assembled with hundreds of Canadian parts.

On Monday, February 16th AT 5pm PT / 8pm ET, join me, Dr. Yipeng Ge and Shatha Mahmoud for a critical conversation on Canada’s complicity in Israel’s genocide, the rise of anti-Palestinian racism, and what we can do collectively to end the occupation and fight for liberation and return.

RSVP: https://avilewis.link/sol-sesh-5

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@avilewis@mstdn.ca avatar avilewis , to random

I'm grateful for the support of these outstanding labour leaders, who have spent their lives in the struggle for workers’ rights and equality.

They know that the NDP must be a political home for all workers. That's why we’re putting forward plans for dignified work and a stronger care economy that ensures workers are paid fairly and treated with the respect they deserve.

They also understand the urgency of tackling the cost of living crisis, because nobody should ever have to choose between paying rent and putting food on the table.

I’m honoured to have earned the trust of these champions for workers’ rights. Together, we're building a party of the working class.

Read their full endorsements here: https://lewisforleader.ca/endorsements

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@avilewis@mstdn.ca avatar avilewis , to random

Trump is fuelling a humanitarian crisis in Cuba, with an oil blockade that is leading to devastating power outages and rationing. This administration is determined to dominate the hemisphere with brute force and naked impunity.

Canada has a long history of good relations with Cuba. We have consistently voted at the UN to end the blockade of Cuba, and millions of Canadian tourists have visited the island.

We should immediately follow Mexico’s lead and condemn this act of economic warfare. And we should step up with humanitarian assistance to the Cuban people, as NDP MP Alexandre Boulerice calls for in this excellent parliamentary petition: https://www.ourcommons.ca/petitions/en/Petition/Details?Petition=e-7082

Prime Minister Carney, silence is not an option when Trump attacks sovereign nations in the Americas. Canadians expect you to stand up for human rights, international law, and against the bullying of smaller nations by a rampaging superpower.

@avilewis@mstdn.ca avatar avilewis , to random

1/ Laura Mae Lindo and Zanana Akande are trailblazers in our party and our movement. They have opened doors and dedicated their lives to social, economic and racial justice.

Zanana was the first Black woman to serve as an MPP and cabinet minister in Ontario history. She raised social assistance rates, and her work led to the creation of Ontario’s Anti-Racism Secretariat and the province’s first binding employment equity legislation.

Laura Mae was the inaugural chair of the Ontario NDP’s Black Caucus, the first formal caucus of its kind in Ontario history. In this role and as the party’s anti-racism critic, she was a powerful advocate in addressing anti-Black and all forms of racism, including by introducing a groundbreaking Racial Equity in Education Systems Act.

A baseball card against a sky background. Card says: Zanana Akande, former MPP and Minister of Community and Social Services, endorses Avi Lewis for NDP leader.

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avilewis OP ,
@avilewis@mstdn.ca avatar

2/ This Black History Month, let’s acknowledge and reflect on the work of leaders in our movement like Laura Mae Lindo, Zanana Akande and Jill Andrew, who have broken barriers and whose work embodies the words Rosemary Brown loved to quote: “until all of us are free, none of us are free”.

Read their full endorsements here: https://lewisforleader.ca/endorsements

The back of Zanana Akande's baseball card. It has a photo of her with a quote: "In this time of struggle and heartless politics, Avi offers integrity, seriousness of purpose, and the belief that government can and must be a force for justice and dignity. The NDP was built to challenge power. Avi understands that legacy and is prepared to lead with the courage that it demands."

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  • @avilewis@mstdn.ca avatar avilewis , to random

    Canadian banks closed 561 branches & 900 ATMs in 4 years, while population grew 7%.

    Those same banks made $70 billion profit last year alone.

    We need postal banking & credit unions freed to provide all banking services.

    Public options for banking now!

    https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/blairmore-alberta-bank-branch-closure-9.7065612

    @avilewis@mstdn.ca avatar avilewis , to random

    This post has been on my mind for a few days now, so I’m going to say something about it. 🧵

    The Minister of AI having an "ongoing engagement" with the government of Israel on technology and AI is deeply concerning. No, it’s just plain wrong. It makes Canada vulnerable to international legal consequences, and it takes Canada far down the wrong path.

    The post itself radiates the same kind of defiant impunity we’ve seen from both Israel and the Trump administration when it comes to flouting international law.

    ALT
    @avilewis@mstdn.ca avatar avilewis , to random

    All power to Ubisoft workers in Halifax, standing up for justice and accountability after the company shut down their workplace right after they unionized.

    Ubisoft has taken nearly $1 billion in public subsidies. We need to be loud and clear: No tax dollars for union busters!

    https://globalnews.ca/news/11643365/laid-off-ubisoft-workers-rally/

    @chris@mstdn.chrisalemany.ca avatar chris , to random

    Out of an extreme sense of charity, I am not going to name the NDP leadership candidate I just received an email from with the Subject Line:
    “Final Payment is Due / Le paiement final est à rendre”.

    But… not a good look for a union man… 👎

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    @avilewis@mstdn.ca avatar avilewis , to random

    Honoured to have the endorsement of CUPE Ontario, which represents 300,000 workers — 40% of the Canadian Union of Public Employees’ total membership.

    I stand with their heroic members as they educate, care for us, and keep the province running every day — and fight to protect our precious public systems from privatization and underfunding.

    Their full statement of support can be found here: https://cupe.on.ca/cupe-ontario-has-endorsed-avi-lewis-as-leader-of-canadas-new-democratic-party/

    ALT
    @avilewis@mstdn.ca avatar avilewis , to random

    "An ambitious and comprehensive blueprint for labour and employment law reform that is forward-looking and unapologetically pro‑worker... Lewis’s plan stands out amid NDP leadership pitches for squarely centring economic democracy.”

    Thanks to Adam King for this comprehensive review of our plan for jobs and AI in The Maple.

    https://www.readthemaple.com/avi-lewis-ndp-labour-plan-is-a-remarkable-document/

    @avilewis@mstdn.ca avatar avilewis , to random

    I visited Gaza in 2009, just months after the Cast Lead massacre. What I saw then shocked and changed me — and there are no words for what has been destroyed now.

    All previous narratives are buried under the rubble in Gaza.

    We need to end this genocide and dismantle Israel’s apartheid system. Canada and the world must act now.

    My conversation with Samira Mohyeddin.

    Avi Lewis discusses visiting the West Bank and Gaza with Samira Moheddin. He was in Gaza in 2009, six months after "Cast Lead," and described walking in Gaza City and seeing government buildings "reduced to rubble". The experience was devastating, shocking, and changed him. Avi states that there are no words to describe what has been destroyed now, suggesting that "we've passed the ability for the imagination to grapple with it". He emphasizes the severity of the situation as "to grind an entire society to dust and ash". Avi believes the "best a nation state can be" is one that is "truly pluralistic, that is truly democratic, where everyone has universal human rights". However, he admits he does not understand how a one-state solution would work, given the "power imbalance between Israel and Palestine". Avi focuses on immediate priorities: Stopping the ongoing genocide; Dismantling the apartheid system through outside pressure; countries like Canada needing to have an independent foreign policy. Avi concludes that once the genocide is stopped and the apartheid system is dismantled, and some form of "actual democracy" is established, then discussion of the next stage can begin. The future is ultimately for the people who live there to figure out.

    @avilewis@mstdn.ca avatar avilewis , to random

    Something has shifted in this campaign.

    It's not just bigger crowds, great music, and tons of fun (though that too!)

    It's a different kind of energy, lifting all of us. It's the experience of collective power, a shared vision, rising up.

    It's hope.

    Join us! https://avilewis.link/join

    A montage of speakers and musical performers at an Avi Lewis campaign rally in Vancouver set to music. People include Sean Orr, David Suzuki, Rueben George, Ndidi Cascade, Alison Gu, Kimmortal, and Avi Lewis.

    @avilewis@mstdn.ca avatar avilewis , to random

    Hello Mastodon!

    I’m Avi Lewis and I’m running to be the next leader of the federal NDP. Very excited to be part of the Fediverse!

    I’m running for NDP leader because it’s time for the NDP to return to its roots—fighting a system rigged for the rich that leaves the rest of us behind.

    We can build a Canada based on care instead of greed, but only if we do it together. There are only 4 days left to join the NDP so you can vote in the leadership race, so get your membership before Jan 28th and let’s fight for a government that serves the many, not the money.

    https://avilewis.link/join

    https://youtu.be/IVy99oiYszY?si=TdW_Ul3JYD_b2mnf

    @triddles@mastodon.social avatar triddles , to random

    Can any fellow cynics tell me why I shouldn't renew my lapsed membership and support one of the candidates for leader, possibly Avi Lewis?

    I'm too tired of feeling betrayed when they win and suddenly won't even talk about the real changes we need. The party is really broken, too, with paid staff in complete control.

    But... Hope is a very, very appealing and dangerous drug.

    @chris@mstdn.chrisalemany.ca avatar chris , to random

    CBC reporting that Elizabeth May has said she will be voting for the budget tonight. Which means the Liberals only need one more vote for it to pass, or for two MPs to abstain.

    Seems unlikely we will have an election from this budget vote... but you never know!


    https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/livestory/federal-budget-vote-2025-9.6981042#content

    rainer ,
    @rainer@socialbc.ca avatar

    @chris I seriously do not want another election, but if a single MP votes for this budget then they might as well just cross the aisle. This budget deserves to fail, and honestly it might be worth triggering another election.

    The priorities of this budget are wildly misaligned with what voters signed on to when they elected the Liberals earlier this year.

    @leftylabourtech@mstdn.social avatar leftylabourtech , to random

    Who else would have interviewed @pluralistic during the last Canadian federal election?

    !!!

    Avi is your anti-enshittification candidate for the leadership of the

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P9sgIAc6z_o

    @renatarocha@mstdn.ca avatar renatarocha , to random

    On: the of services

    We have had Bell Internet for like 8 years now, and for many years it has been very stable and reliable.

    Then we found out we were paying for 1G more than the price of their current 2.5G plan. We called and asked for an upgrade that should have been offered automatically.

    Since they upgraded us, every other day our internet hub has a 1min network authentication error, our internet goes offline, then it reconnects. It's not long enough to be a major problem but we have been meaning to call Bell about it.

    Today it didn't connect back after a long time, so I had to call Bell. I explained the issue - they were very happy to inform me that my internet hub is the "old version", that it's a known problem, and that they're happy to upgrade me to a new version - again, something they should have done before I called.

    Why can't we have services that serve people?

    deFractal ,
    @deFractal@infosec.exchange avatar

    @renatarocha I would be pleased if @pluralistic and fam were willing to rescue the federal from irrelevancy before the next Canadian federal general election. The leader of our "Liberals" is a right-of-Harris conservative, and the leader of our "Conservatives" is a much-less-ignorant wannabe Trump.

    Jagmeet might be an effective lawyer, but the last NDP leader we had who effectively connected with and persuaded the public at large—not just the party loyal—was Jack Layton. If we're ever to have a viable left-of-centre option again (where centre separates primacy of human rights, to its left, from primacy of property rights, to its right), we need a Canadian Sanders (but somewhat younger), Ocasio-Cortez, or Mamdani.

    leftylabourtech ,
    @leftylabourtech@mstdn.social avatar

    @deFractal @renatarocha @pluralistic Prior to the last federal election I ran @pluralistic 's ideas up the pipe to my contacts at NDP HQ. Nobody took them up...except, , and Avi is now an NDP leadership candidate.

    If you're looking for a political ally in the fight against , Avi is it!

    Join the and support him...and get your anti-enshittification friends to join too!

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P9sgIAc6z_o

    @caitp@mstdn.social avatar caitp , to random

    does anybody on this thing work or volunteer or campaign or strategize for the NDP?

    @SANKOFAB@zirk.us avatar SANKOFAB , to random
    SANKOFAB OP ,
    @SANKOFAB@zirk.us avatar
    @deFractal@infosec.exchange avatar deFractal , to New Democratic Party

    Essential listening for the @NDP before the federal election, if you're not to repeat the Liberals' fatal communications errors:

    https://www.canadaland.com/podcast/1087-gaze-ye-upon-the-viral-success-of-jordan-petersons-poilievre-interview-and-despair/

    deFractal OP ,
    @deFractal@infosec.exchange avatar

    @NDP And relatedly, from a fellow pragmatic leftist: How the @NDP could avoid repeating the (US) Democrats' fatal communications errors.

    And before you prejudge the content, be sure to assess its predictive validity—at least if you want to be elected. To those who'd push back, the results discussed in the second video proves point made in the first. One can either cling to presumed rightness, or put results over rhetoric and hence be effective, but not both.

    1. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tSw04BwQy4M
    2. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UkUkEvf7Ma4