Folks,

If you thought things couldn’t get worse for the federal NDP after the Jagmeet Singh era, think again. The party has now voted Avi Lewis to take the helm.

The man now leading Canada’s socialist party appears ready to steer it even further left. At the convention in Winnipeg, Lewis declared:

“The NDP will start winning again because we will become that beacon to the 99 per cent — illuminating the darkening sky of these terrifying times with the energizing light of collectivism.”

He also supports government-owned grocery stores as a way to lower the cost of living. I’m not sure Canadians are eager to experiment with ideas that sound a lot like Soviet-style breadlines.

Lewis was a key author of the Leap Manifesto and has long opposed major resource development. While Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew is praising Lewis for bringing excitement and youth to the party, Saskatchewan’s NDP Opposition leader is refusing to meet with him until he changes his stance on the energy industry.

And here in Alberta, the political shockwaves are already being felt. Alberta NDP Leader Naheed Nenshi issued a cautious statement saying:

“Albertans deserve federal leaders who understand the importance of Alberta and our essential role in the federation.”

Premier Danielle Smith isn’t letting Nenshi off the hook. She fired back, “while Naheed Nenshi may try to distance himself, the Alberta NDP’s own constitution makes clear they are tied to the federal party. The truth is, the Alberta NDP has a long track record of opposing pipelines and energy development. Their extreme views are a danger to jobs and affordability.”

If Jagmeet Singh dug the grave, Avi Lewis just placed the tombstone.