Dear Friends,

I’m so incredibly proud of the campaign we ran.

And I’m so grateful to you, and everyone in this beautiful community we have built together in such a short time. My inboxes are overflowing today, with messages of care and concern and support and resolve and despair and hope...and love. All the things.

So, first of all, thank you all for checking in: I’m feeling great! I said from the beginning that this was an underdog campaign. That I didn’t expect to just waltz in and go from fourth to first in a single, short, snap election. Don’t get me wrong - I’m in it to win it, and I’m certainly disappointed that we came third.

But let’s just take a moment to appreciate what we did do, because it’s historic. In 36 days, we doubled both our percentage of the vote and our vote count from 2019. There are still more than 6,000 mail-in ballots to be counted, but we’re on track for the best result ever in this riding for the NDP (or Greens for that matter.)

We found each other, and that is no small thing. In every corner of this big, beautiful riding, there are neighbours and former strangers who have come together in hope and struggle on this campaign, and we are so much stronger for it!

And so I’m filled with pride and gratitude on the day after election day. 

I’m proud of the hundreds of people who came out to volunteer on our team, and I’m grateful to the more than 15,000 people who voted for me.

But when I decided to run, I had 3 goals in mind.

My first goal was to lay the groundwork in the riding so that I could win the second time I ran. It often takes two campaigns to win. The first campaign is about getting your name out there and beginning to earn the trust of people in the riding.

My second goal was to assemble a kick-ass team, which we did with unlimited zeal! So many volunteers came onboard and did new things they’d never done before — and did them so well! Building up experience and capacity in a group of dedicated volunteers is how we’ll win next time. 

My third goal was to have thousands of difficult but important conversations with people at the doors, over the phone, and online. Because when we engage in meaningful conversation about the overlapping crises we face — climate, inequality, housing, mental health, colonialism, and more — we do the powerful work of connecting our solutions to people’s everyday lives. Doing so means we’re not only building toward winning at the ballot box, but also toward winning on these issues, no matter who’s in charge.

So: I’m not going anywhere. I know you’re not going anywhere. 

I’m excited to continue to work with you here in West Vancouver–Sunshine Coast–Sea-to-Sky Country.

And with the election of another minority government, we won’t have to wait long for my re-match with the Trudeau Liberals.

The fight continues!

--
Avi Lewis,
September 21, 2021

P.S.: Thank you to the more than 500 people who donated from nine provinces and the Yukon over the election! We are already building for the next election, whenever it comes. Can you help us keep this momentum going by making a donation of $10, $20, or $50 today?