« Le gouvernement fédéral pourrait utiliser les politiques publiques pour lutter contre les tarifs de Trump, construire une économie verte axée sur les soins et créer de nombreux emplois syndiqués. »
— Avi Lewis
In the first of a series on policy approaches for the NDP leadership, Avi Lewis sits down with RadioLabour to outline his economic vision: how strategic public investment can simultaneously address multiple crises facing Canadian workers.
The Triple Threat: Jobs, Climate, and Economic Sovereignty
Lewis argues that the federal government is missing a historic opportunity to use public policy as a tool for economic transformation. Rather than reacting defensively to Trump-era tariffs and trade threats, Canada could proactively build economic resilience through three interconnected strategies:
1. Green Economy Transition
Moving beyond fossil fuel dependence isn’t just about climate—it’s about creating hundreds of thousands of unionized jobs in:
- Renewable energy installation and maintenance
- Public transit expansion
- Building retrofits and energy efficiency
- Clean manufacturing
2. Care Economy Expansion
The pandemic exposed Canada’s care crisis. Lewis proposes massive public investment in:
- Expanded childcare and early childhood education
- Long-term care facilities (publicly owned and operated)
- Home care services
- Mental health and addiction services
All with union wages, benefits, and job security.
3. Economic Nationalism That Works
Rather than protectionism, Lewis advocates for “economic democracy”—using public ownership and procurement to build Canadian capacity in strategic sectors while maintaining international solidarity with workers globally.
Why This Matters Now
With Trump threatening new tariffs and Canada’s economy facing structural challenges, Lewis makes the case that now is precisely the time for bold public investment. Waiting for “perfect conditions” means missing the moment when transformation is both necessary and possible.
Labour Movement Alignment
The proposals align closely with demands from major unions including Unifor, CUPE, and the Canadian Labour Congress. By centering worker power and union jobs, Lewis is building a coalition between climate activists and the labour movement—groups that have sometimes been at odds.
Listen to the full episode to hear Lewis’s detailed policy proposals and his vision for how the NDP can lead an economic transformation that puts workers first.