Leah Gazan endorses Avi Lewis and becomes first sitting NDP MP to back a leadership candidate

Manitoba NDP MP Leah Gazan has formally endorsed Avi Lewis for the party leadership, the first sitting NDP MP to officially back a candidate. Gazan cited rebuilding the party and addressing the high cost of living and the climate crisis as reasons for her support.

Manitoba NDP MP Leah Gazan has formally endorsed documentarian Avi Lewis for the party's leadership. Her announcement makes her the first sitting NDP MP to officially back a leadership candidate. Gazan said she supports Lewis because she believes he can help rebuild the party and offer solutions to the high cost of living and the climate crisis. High-profile environmentalist David Suzuki also endorsed Lewis earlier this week. Key details: - Leah Gazan, an NDP member of Parliament from Manitoba, has formally endorsed Avi Lewis for the party leadership. - This is the first endorsement from a sitting NDP MP reported during the leadership contest. - Gazan cited rebuilding the party and addressing the high cost of living and the climate crisis as reasons for her support. - David Suzuki announced his endorsement of Avi Lewis on Tuesday. - Other candidates have secured high-profile endorsements as well; former MP Charlie Angus has endorsed Heather McPherson, and the United Steelworkers union has endorsed Rob Ashton. Summary: The endorsement is the first reported from a sitting NDP MP and joins other high-profile endorsements in the leadership contest. The party's membership cutoff is Jan. 28.