# CANADA MUST SEPARATE ITS FOREIGN POLICY FROM THE UNITED STATES SAYS AVI LEWIS Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DGHK0IeczOQ Recap page: https://rapidrecap.app/video/DGHK0IeczOQ Generated: 2026-01-06T19:05:41.534+00:00 --- ## Quick Overview Avi Lewis argues that Canada must separate its foreign policy from the United States, citing the need for a democratic and pluralistic political culture within the NDP to effectively challenge the status quo, particularly regarding the conflict in Gaza and the federal government's support for fossil fuel projects. **Key Points:** - Avi Lewis believes Canada must develop an independent foreign policy, specifically separating from the US stance on issues like the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, where he notes the federal government has consistently supported Israel since 2021. - Lewis criticizes the current political climate where the two major federal parties (Liberal and Conservative) are perceived as entrenched, leaving the NDP needing a distinct, more democratic culture to gain traction. - He references the NDP's internal struggles, noting that many members who worked hard for resolutions at the convention, such as on Palestinian solidarity or climate action, feel disappointed by the lack of follow-through. - Lewis points out that the federal NDP only holds seven seats in the caucus, making it difficult to influence federal policy effectively without broader support. - He suggests that the way forward involves grassroots organizing and pushing for a more democratic party structure, contrasting this with the perceived top-down decision-making prevalent in the party. - Samira Mohyeddin raises questions about the feasibility of promoting internal change within the NDP, referencing the internal conflicts and the perceived hypocrisy of supporting certain policies while opposing others. - The conversation touches upon the need to stop the genocide in Gaza and dismantle the apartheid system, which Lewis sees as a core issue the party must address. ![Screenshot at 00:08: Avi Lewis is identified as the NDP Leadership Candidate being interviewed by Samira Mohyeddin about political strategy and policy stances.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/DGHK0IeczOQ/00-00-08.jpg) **Context:** This video features an interview between Samira Mohyeddin and Avi Lewis, an NDP Leadership Candidate, conducted by 'On The Line Media'. The discussion centers on Canadian political strategy, particularly how the NDP can gain influence and enact progressive policies, focusing heavily on foreign policy positions concerning the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and domestic issues like climate change and public services, framed against the backdrop of perceived failures within the mainstream Liberal-Conservative political dynamic. ## Detailed Analysis Avi Lewis, running for NDP Leadership, asserts that Canada needs to develop a foreign policy independent of the United States, specifically citing the ongoing conflict in Gaza. He notes the federal government's consistent support for Israel since 2021, which he finds deeply problematic. Lewis critiques the current two-party dominance in Canadian politics, arguing that the NDP needs a more radically democratic and transparent culture to effectively challenge this status quo. He mentions that many NDP members who organized internally—for instance, passing resolutions on Palestine or climate action—feel let down because those resolutions are not being implemented, pointing out the party's small caucus size (seven seats federally) contributes to this limitation. He contrasts the NDP's potential for progressive policy—like investing in renewables or nationalizing certain services—with the perceived hypocrisy of the status quo. Samira Mohyeddin presses Lewis on how he plans to change the political landscape, questioning if the internal struggles and the focus on specific, sometimes controversial, issues (like the genocide narrative regarding Gaza) can truly lead to success, especially given internal divisions. Lewis responds by emphasizing the necessity of grassroots organizing and a cultural shift within the party to ensure that fundamental commitments, like Palestinian solidarity and climate action, are prioritized over political maneuvering, suggesting that the current system encourages internal conflict rather than unified action. ### Foreign Policy Critique - Lewis calls for Canada to separate its foreign policy from the US, specifically regarding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict where the federal government has supported Israel since 2021 - Lewis notes the NDP's small federal caucus (seven seats) limits its ability to influence policy. ### NDP Internal Dynamics - Lewis argues the party needs a more radically democratic and transparent culture to avoid internal conflict and push progressive agendas - Mohyeddin questions if members who fought for resolutions (e.g., on Palestine) feel let down by a lack of follow-through. ### Policy Vision - Lewis advocates for prioritizing public ownership of services, investing heavily in renewables, and dismantling the apartheid system in Palestine - He states that the current political culture is 'un-Canadian' and that the party must move beyond the two-party paradigm. ### Closing Exchange - The interview concludes with Mohyeddin asking about practical next steps and Lewis emphasizing the need for grassroots organization to force change from the base upward. ![Screenshot at 00:00: Samira Mohyeddin and Avi Lewis are introduced in a split-screen interview format, with Lewis identified as an NDP Leadership Candidate.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/DGHK0IeczOQ/00-00-00.jpg) ![Screenshot at 00:24: Avi Lewis discusses the danger of the political theater surrounding the Trans Mountain Pipeline and related data centers/AI infrastructure.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/DGHK0IeczOQ/00-00-24.jpg) ![Screenshot at 00:52: Avi Lewis details the $40+ billion public money spent on the Trans Mountain Pipeline expansion, contrasting it with renewable energy investments.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/DGHK0IeczOQ/00-00-52.jpg) ![Screenshot at 01:34: Samira Mohyeddin reacts strongly to the perceived absurdity of the financial commitments to fossil fuels while people suffer.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/DGHK0IeczOQ/00-01-34.jpg) ![Screenshot at 04:06: Samira Mohyeddin asks Avi Lewis about the role of proportional representation in changing the political landscape for the NDP.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/DGHK0IeczOQ/00-04-06.jpg)