Stephen Lewis

Birth Name: Stephen Henry Lewis

Date of Birth: November 11, 1937

Place of Birth: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

Date of Death: March 31, 2026

Place of Death: Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Ethnicity: Ashkenazi Jewish

Stephen Lewis was a Canadian politician, public speaker, broadcaster, and diplomat. He was Leader of the Ontario New Democratic Party (NDP), from October 4, 1970 to February 5, 1978, Leader of the Official Opposition in Ontario, from October 28, 1975 to April 29, 1977, Canadian Ambassador to the UN, from September 15, 1984 to July 1988, Deputy Director of UNICEF, from 1995 to 1999, and UN Special Envoy for HIV/AIDS in Africa, from June 1, 2001 to December 31, 2006; as well as, a Member of the Ontario Provincial Parliament for Scarborough West, from September 25, 1963 to November 10, 1978. His father, David Lewis, had led the federal NDP, for some of the same time span as Stephen led the Ontario NDP; and his son, Avi Lewis, later also became federal NDP leader. Stephen died two days after his son’s election to the NDP leadership.

Stephen was born in Ottawa, the son of Sophie (Carson) and labour lawyer and politician David Lewis (born David Losz). His father was born in Svisloch/Świsłocz, Grodno Governorate, Russian Empire, now Belarus, to a Jewish family, and moved to Canada in 1921; settling in Montréal, Québec. His mother was born in Montréal, to Belarusian Jewish parents. Stephen’s father was Leader of the New Democratic Party (NDP), from April 24, 1971 to July 7, 1975, carrying it into the 1972 and 1974 federal elections. He was also National Secretary of the Co-operative Commonwealth Federation, from 1936 to 1950, National Chairman of the Co-operative Commonwealth Federation, from 1954 to 1958, and National President of the Co-operative Commonwealth Federation, from 1958 to 1961.

Stephen’s family moved to Toronto, Ontario, in 1950.

Stephen was married to journalist, author, public speaker, feminist, and social activist Michele Landsberg, until his death. The couple had three children, including Avi Lewis, who is also journalist, activist, and documentary filmmaker; and casting director Jenny Lewis. Avi has been Leader of the New Democratic Party (NDP), since March 29, 2026.

His brother-in-law is Polish–American architect, artist, professor, and set designer Daniel Libeskind, who is married to his sister Nina.

Stephen’s paternal grandfather was named Moishe/Morris Lewis, originally Losz/Lozs. Moishe Lewis was born in Świsłocz, and was a labour activist, who was chairman of the Jewish Labour Bund in Świsłocz.

Stephen’s paternal grandmother was named Rose/Róża Lazarovitch/Lazarowicz/Lazarus (the daughter of Usher Lazarovitch). Rose was born in Świsłocz.

Stephen’s maternal grandfather was named Hyman Carson/Korson.

Stephen’s maternal grandmother was named Edith Epstein (the daughter of Joseph Epstein).

Source: Genealogy of Stephen Lewis – https://www.geni.com