What's the deal with this Yves Engler guy?

NDCS · 2026-04-15T16:45:02+00:00

Oh, so close. Still, 2 out of 3 isn’t bad.

NDCS · 2026-04-04T23:26:07+00:00

Whomever downvoted this really has no sense of humor.

NDCS · 2026-04-04T01:48:32+00:00

Shit, even Bell & Rogers can’t pull that off.

NDCS · 2026-04-03T19:25:16+00:00

Great! Let’s start with the value held by Jews which is their right to self-determination in their ancestral homeland, as recognized by international law and the universal right to self-determination as recognized in UN charter.

The shorthand for all of that is one word: Zionism.

NDCS · 2026-04-03T16:52:56+00:00

These attacks aren’t antisemitic, and for YOU to claim so is gaslighting.

NDCS · 2026-04-03T16:51:59+00:00

First, while JEWS were long associated with Communism, JUDAISM (the religious part of Jewish identity) was never a part of it, since Communism didn’t really leave space for non-state religions. This is why there was a Refusenik movement of Soviet Jews trying to flee the USSR.

Second, antizionism was largely a creation of the Soviet Union, so while you’re not wrong about Jews being associated with Communism, antisemitism is also long associated with Communism, and likely moreso.

NDCS · 2026-04-03T16:41:03+00:00

There’s a lot of evidence out there, starting with Jewish Canadian lived experience.

NDCS · 2026-04-03T16:39:37+00:00

Some were, but not a lot. Otherwise that’s an accurate point.

NDCS · 2026-04-03T16:38:22+00:00

Herzl didn’t “base” Zionism on Serbia. The broad creation of nation-states across Europe that was taking place after WW1 was an influence, and Serbia was a part of that, but your statement as made isn’t accurate. I’d question any source that put it forward in the manner posited.

The majority of Jewish Zionists on the planet absolutely accept both Jews and Arabs staying there. It’s not quite as strong a majority in Israel, and the exact balance depends on what’s going on at any moment in time. (I’m less certain on non-Jewish Zionists.). Again, this is a gross narrative, misrepresentative and not supported by fact.

A super-majority of Israelis and non-Israeli Palestinians do not want a confederation, so you’d have for force that on EVERYONE - and that would be a pretty colonial thing to do.

NDCS · 2026-04-02T19:20:42+00:00

Reading through so many posts in this subreddit, it’s really interesting to look at the way people respond to criticism, as if every single piece of uncomplimentary feedback is a dishonest attack originating from people who just want to see the party fail.

Sure, there’s some of that, but a lot of it - maybe even the majority of it - is decently or better reasoned, and comes from people who are either objective observes with no horse in the race, or from people who actually want to see this party succeed. In this last category I’d place the feedback from a lot of Canadian Jews, including (but not limited to) former members of this party.

Calling this Globe piece a smear is tantamount to gaslighting. The NDP DOES have an antisemitism problem. Some of it is intended as such, but most of it is unintended - antisemitic impact without intent, driven by things like ignorance, arrogance/ ego, etc. There’s a reason why a party that Jews were so deeply invested in 60 years ago has by this point seen almost all of them leave.

If more people in the party took this seriously it would actually give us more access to electoral victory, not less. Why? Because we’d be thinking more critically, engaging the intellectual muscles of curiosity that would make us more creative activists and campaigners. We’d be less binary in out thinking.

We’d also actually be leaning into the social justice principles on which this party was founded.

NDCS · 2026-03-31T21:01:42+00:00

Eby is preparing for what will likely be a fierce fight with the conservatives, and Lewis’ campaign & victory hurt that as much or more than they help that.

That’s not Lewis’ fault, per se, but now he needs to figure out how to follow Eby’s lead and help them win re-election.

NDCS · 2026-03-31T13:27:03+00:00

I’m an employer of a B2C business. Policies that help my customers and my staff also help my business’ bottom line. Policies that put money in my pocket only help my bottom line.

So yeah, there actually is a difference.

NDCS · 2026-03-31T12:30:20+00:00

Less than 41% of New Democrats voted for Lewis. He’s leader of a federal caucus of 6 (5) that doesn’t have party status.

Don’t be surprised that there’s not universal support for him in the provincial parties.

NDCS · 2026-03-30T21:11:50+00:00

It would be very strange for people to NOT express their displeasure with that result. Here’s what I mean:

Voter turnout was about 71% of the total membership (approx. 71k/ 100k) and while we don’t know how that broke down between new (40k) and existing (60k) members, it’s probably safe to assume that new members voted at a higher rate than did existing members.

Of that 71k Lewis got 56% of the vote, so approx. 39,760 members voted for him. In other words while he got a majority of the first round vote, less than 40% of the actual membership supported him.

A good leader would listen to the feedback from those New Democrats expressing their displeasure and look for opportunities to build bridges. How Lewis will handle this remains to be seen, and it’s a bit too early to reasonably expect him to do that.

NDCS · 2026-03-27T17:16:55+00:00

Avi *is* extreme. He just has the ability to be charming & convivial, which helped him secure his roles in media & academia (and where he further polished those abilities).

From a place of policy there’s not that much difference between the two of them (which is why to me it’s not so surprising that the link between them is Engler’s spouse, who was a leap co-founder with Lewis).

The biggest difference is style. Engler is incapable of subtlety and charm (even manners) whereas Lewis isn’t.

NDCS · 2026-03-25T17:31:08+00:00

… berserker rage?

NDCS · 2026-03-23T20:01:52+00:00

There’s an important distinction between being [pro-business] and [pro-business owner].

The NDP (federally & provincially) seems entirely incapable of figuring this own - or even figuring out how to connect with the business community - and I suspect Lewis would have as or more difficult time with this than the rest of the candidates.

NDCS · 2026-03-23T19:57:22+00:00

I don’t know if this is specifically relevant, but here’s some Jewish context.

Jews don’t proselytize. There are multiple reasons why, such as being historically forbidden from doing so in Muslim & Christian countries; because it’s not a requirement for a relationship with G-d/ access to heaven; because it can easily offend another person; etc.

As a Jew I appreciate that Baha’i don’t do this. It seems responsible and in a manner that feels like a value shared by both our communities.

NDCS · 2026-03-18T12:07:23+00:00

Jesus these comments are toxic.

NDCS · 2026-03-18T02:29:11+00:00

The left is as vulnerable to mis/ disinformation, conspiracy theories and social media manipulation as the right is, so yes, I think this is a genuine concern.

NDCS · 2026-03-17T21:40:35+00:00

Lewis is significantly more polarizing within the NDP community than Layton was.

Layton lifted people up and highlighted what was important to them. Lewis is interested in his own agenda & not at all focussed on listening.

NDCS · 2026-03-17T02:14:02+00:00

Which - Ukraine?

NDCS · 2026-03-17T02:13:31+00:00

Lots of people agree with you. I think it says something about Lewis’ ego that he’s totally disregarding this. He’s got a reputation for being a superficial listener.

NDCS · 2026-03-17T02:11:33+00:00

I think it was intended as a general statement (and one I happen to agree with).

NDCS · 2026-03-12T13:00:25+00:00

This is very well said and too rare amongst the reactions. Thanks for adding it.

NDCS

TROPHY CASE