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Home > Stephen Lewis


Stephen Lewis in Africa for UNICEF.

Stephen Henry Lewis (b. November 11, 1937) is a Canadian politician, broadcaster and diplomat. He is currently serving as UN special envoy for HIV/AIDS in Africa.

In 1963, Lewis, the son of New Democratic Party leader David Lewis, was elected to the Ontario legislature at the age of 26 while still a student at the University of Toronto. Lewis was a charismatic, articulate, and ambitious figure, and because many members of the party felt that the NDP needed young, new leadership to reflect the changes wrought by the 1960s and persuaded Donald C. MacDonald to step down as leader in 1970. Lewis was elected leader of the Ontario New Democratic Party in 1970 but his initial election at the helm in 1971 was a disappointment with the party slipping from 20 seats to 19.

A radical left wing group nicknamed the WaffleThe Waffle (also known as the Movement for an Independent Socialist Canada was a radical wing of Canada's New Democratic Party and later an independent political party. The group formed in 1969, a product of campus radicalism, feminism, and Canadian natio had gained prominence with one of its leaders, James LaxerJames Laxer (b. December 22 1941) is a Canadian political economist, professor and author. In 1969, Laxer along with his father Robert Laxer and Mel Watkins founded the Waffle, a radical left wing group influenced by the New Left, the anti- Vietnam War mo almost winning the leadership of the federal NDP in 1971. Lewis felt that the Waffle was threatening the credibility and stability of the party and led a purge against the group in June 19721972 is a leap year starting on Saturday (click link for calendar). Events January events January 2 the Pierre Hotel Heist Six men rob the safety deposit boxes of the Pierre Hotel in New York City. Loot is at least $4 million January 5 President of the Un on the basis that it was a party within a party.

Lewis led a brilliant campaign during the 1975Events January January 1 Watergate scandal: John N. Mitchell, H. Haldeman, John D. Ehrlichman are found guilty of the Watergate cover-up and are sentenced to 30 months to 8 years in jail on February 21 January 5 The Tasman Bridge in Tasmania, Australia, i election with his oratory and passion bringing new supporters to the party. The NDP highlighted issues such as the need for rent control and workplace safety with Lewis each day telling the story of a different Ontarian in trouble because of the lack of adequate legislation. Polls showed the NDP surging and the incumbent Tories in freefall and in the course of the campaign PremierA premier is an executive official of government. In many nations the term "premier" is used interchangeably with the title of " prime minister. For example, the "Italian Premier" or the "Japanese Premier. In the People's Republic of China it is used some William DavisWilliam Davis Rank 18th Term of Office March 2, 1971 February 1985 Predecessor John Robarts Successor Frank Miller Date of Birth July 30, 1929 Place of Birth Brampton, Ontario Profession Lawyer Political Party PC William (Bill) Grenville Davis (born July was forced to commit his party to bringing in rent controlRent Control refers to laws or ordinances that regulate how much a property can be rented for or how much rent can be increased at certain times, such as the renewal of a lease. In the United States, rent control is rare outside of cities with large tenan and other progressive reforms in order to retain power. When the ballots were counted the Tories were reduced to a minority government and Lewis' NDP had doubled its seats from 19 to 38 and surpassed the Ontario Liberal Party to become the Official Opposition. It appeared that it was only a matter of time before the NDP would form the government.

The next election, in 1977, proved to be a disappointment. The growth of support for the NDP stalled and while the Tories were kept to a minority the NDP failed to make any gains and actually fell to 33 seats and third place behind the Liberals. A frustrated Lewis stepped down as party leader and as an MPP in 1978.

After working for several years as a labour mediator, columnist and broadcaster, Lewis was appointed Canadian Ambassador to the United Nations by Prime Minister Brian Mulroney in 1984 serving at that post until 1988. From 1995 to 1999 Lewis was Deputy Director of UNICEF and he is currently working for the United Nations as the Secretary-General's Special Envoy for HIV/ AIDS in Africa.

Stephen Lewis also heads the Stephen Lewis Foundation, a charitable organization that helps victims of HIV/AIDS in Africa.

Lewis is married to Canadian journalist Michele Landsberg. He is the father of Canadian broadcaster Avi Lewis and the father-in-law of journalist and author Naomi Klein.

On March 27, 2004, Lewis attended Rideau Hall where he received the annual United Nations Association in Canada Pearson Medal of Peace for his contribution to international service in fighting AIDS/HIV.


Preceded by:
Donald C. MacDonald

Ontario NDP leaders

Succeeded by:
Michael Cassidy



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