Marit Stiles, Leader of the Ontario NDP and Leader of the Official Opposition, issued the following statement on the passing of former Ontario NDP Leader Stephen Lewis

QUEEN’S PARK — Official Opposition Leader Marit Stiles has issued the following statement, on the passing of former Ontario NDP Leader and Member of Provincial Parliament Stephen Lewis:

“I’m deeply saddened by the passing of Stephen Lewis. The Ontario NDP caucus and New Democrats across the province are mourning the loss of a principled and exceptional political voice.

“Stephen was a giant in our movement. He fought tirelessly to level the playing field for working class Canadians and take on inequality head on. For me, Stephen was a trusted advisor, and a sounding board who was generous with his time, kindness, and wisdom.

“As Leader of the Ontario NDP and MPP for Scarborough West (now Scarborough Southwest), Stephen helped bring rent control to Ontario and helped to win a key battle during the landmark 1974 Elliott Lake miners' strike, with his support for the striking workers leading to the creation of the Occupational Health and Safety Act. He’d go on to help form Ontario's first NDP Official Opposition.

“Stephen showed us what it meant to fight with everything you have for what you believe in. He brought that passion and drive to his work as Canada’s Ambassador to the United Nations and then to his extraordinary leadership as the UN Special Envoy for HIV/AIDS in Africa, convincing leaders around the world of their responsibility to take action on the crisis.

"To Stephen’s beloved wife Michele Landsberg, to his children Avi, Ilana, and Jenny, to his family and to everyone who knew and loved him: we share in your grief. We will carry him forward in everything we do.”