By Pepper Parr
March 31st, 2026
BURLINGTON, ON
Stephen Lewis passed away this morning, days after his son was chosen as leader of the Federal New Democratic Party. Stephen was the leader of the Ontario New Democratic Party. His father, David was the leader of the federal New Democratic Party.
Stephen was an orator; he didn’t read speeches – he gave a speech.
Stephen Lewis: “In the words of Marcel Marceau”
It was my fortune to be in a room more than once when Stephen let it rip.
Hair styling for men was different then.
He started one speech in front of an Ontario Library Association meeting saying: “In the words of Marcel Marceau”; the audience ate it up and remained spellbound while he talked about the importance of books.
This from a man who never earned a degree, saying he was always a lousy student.
Hopefully, CBC or other television media will broadcast some of his better speeches.
He was leader of the official opposition in 1975, but stepped down after the party lost that status in 1977 to the Liberals. He then retired from elected politics.
Afterwards, he became a mediator and regular public commentator. In 1984, he was appointed as Canadian ambassador to the United Nations, at the urging of Prime Minister Brian Mulroney.
While with the UN, he chaired committees that were credited with leading to the Five-Year UN Program on African Economic Recovery and the first comprehensive policy on global warming.
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