Avi Lewis will not run in upcoming federal byelections

NDP Leader Avi Lewis will not seek a seat in any of the federal byelections expected later this year, according to the party. The NDP said Lewis is concentrating on rebuilding the party after its historic defeat last year, when it won just five seats in the House of Commons. He has led the party since March but has remained without a seat in Parliament. One possible opening was BeachesEast York in Toronto, but political analyst Éric Grenier said that riding would have been a difficult and risky contest for the NDP. The seat became vacant after Liberal MP Nathaniel ErskineSmith stepped down from federal politics. More byelections are expected in Quebec, British Columbia and Saskatchewan as several MPs leave Parliament or move on to other roles. Grenier said the Liberals appear well placed in the current round of vacancies and are unlikely to lose their existing seats.