Avi Lewis named NDP party leader

Avi Lewis is the NDP’s new leader.

The results of the party’s leadership race were announced Sunday morning at the federal party’s convention in Winnipeg.

A total of 70,930 valid votes were cast, Éric Hébert-Daly, chief electoral officer of the party’s leadership race, said before making the announcement, adding that 35,456 votes were required to be elected.

Lewis, an activist and filmmaker, received 39,734 votes.

“Canada, mark your calendar: the NDP comeback starts now,” Lewis told the crowd following the announcement.

The four other candidates in the race were MP Heather McPherson (20,899 votes), municipal councillor Tanille Johnston (5,159 votes), union leader Rob Ashton (4,193 votes) and farmer Tony McQuail (945 votes).