Avi Lewis, who was proclaimed as the new leader of the NDP, speaks at the party convention in Winnipeg Sunday, March 29, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/John Woods (Image Credit: CP, John Woods)

By Fraser Valley Today staff

Avi Lewis

Local NDP riding association says its membership is growing

Mar 30, 2026 | 1:32 PM

ABBOTSFORD — The New Democrat riding association in Mission – Matsqui – Abbotsford is welcoming the election of Avi Lewis as leader of the federal NDP.

At the national convention in Winnipeg on Sunday, the party announced that Lewis secured the leadership with 56 per cent of the vote on the first ballot.

More than 2,000 party members attended the convention, a big jump from the previous two leadership race conventions.

Candidates collectively raised more than $2.8 million, with Lewis raising nearly $1.5-million. By comparison, Jack Layton raised $446,000 in his 2003 leadership bid, equivalent to about $720,000 today.

The party says membership has grown to more than 100,000 since the leadership race began, a 66 per cent increase nationwide. In Mission – Matsqui – Abbotsford, the local membership more than doubled between November and January, jumping to 190 card-carrying members.

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In a statement, the riding association said the party is rebuilding after losing official party status in the last federal election.

The association says the party is determined to focus on policies of affordability, including addressing grocery prices and strengthening worker protections through measures such as sectoral bargaining.