Who’s running: Heather McPherson, Avi Lewis

Five candidates have put their name forward for the NDP’s top job: MP Heather McPherson, activist and filmmaker Avi Lewis, union leader Rob Ashton, farmer Tony McQuail and social worker and municipal councillor Tanille Johnston.

Lewis appears to be in the best position to become the new leader, having out-fundraised the other candidates.

The son of former Ontario NDP leader Stephen Lewis and grandson of former federal leader David Lewis, he’s described his campaign as an “anti-capitalist movement” — proposing things like a national cap on rent, a wealth tax on the top one per cent of income earners and public option for groceries and telecoms.

But Lewis has faced questions about how he could impact the NDP’s provincial wings if he wins the federal job.

McPherson, in contrast, has pitched herself as a pragmatist who is focused on bringing the party together and leaning on the electoral successes of the provincial parties.

The Alberta MP has promised to decentralize the party, handing more power to riding associations.

First elected in 2019, McPherson has touted herself as a winner, pointing out that she is the only leadership contender “that has beat Conservatives three times.” (Lewis has twice unsuccessfully ran for a seat in the House.)

McPherson has also argued that having a seat means she will be able to immediately hold Prime Minister Mark Carney to account in the House of Commons.