Stephen Lewis, Canada’s former ambassador to the United Nations and one-time leader of the Ontario NDP has died.

Lewis was 88. The Stephen Lewis Foundation announced his death Tuesday.

He held multiple posts with the UN after his four-year stint as Canada’s ambassador, including as a special adviser to then secretary-general Kofi Annan.

He is the father of Avi Lewis, who was elected leader of the federal NDP on Sunday.

Here is a photo retrospective of his life.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 31, 2026.

The Canadian Press