A bank of tape recorders and microphones sits in front of Ontario New Democratic Party leader Stephen Lewis June 13, 1977, as he announces his decision to resign as party leader. (CP PHOTO)
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.
Former Ontario NDP leader Stephen Lewis speaks during the 2016 NDP Federal Convention in Edmonton Alta, on Saturday, April 9, 2016. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Codie McLachlanStephen Lewis, former Canadian Ambassador to the United Nations and panel member investigating the 1994 genocide in Rwanda, wipes his eyes following his recounting of humanitarian aid workers around the world while he was Deputy Director of UNICEF, during a news conference in Ottawa Friday July 7, 2000 (CP PHOTO/Tom Hanson)Former US president Bill Clinton (right) and UN Special Envoy for HIV/AIDS in Africa Stephen Lewis (Left) hold a press conference at the 16th World Aids Conference in Toronto on Tuesday August 15, 2006. Clinton paid tribute Tuesday to Stephen Lewis, the UN special envoy on AIDS, and all the others who have joined in the battle against HIV/AIDS around the world. (CP PHOTO/Frank Gunn)Olivia Chow, widow of Jack Layton, left, reaches out the window to hold hands with Stephen Lewis following the funeral of the late NDP leader at Roy Thomson Hall in Toronto on Saturday, August 27, 2011. Lewis delivered the eulogy at the service. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darren CalabreseSteven Lewis, right, former UN Special Envoy for HIV/AIDS in Africa, responds to media at a news conference at the beginning of a three-day convention as NDP Leader Jack Layton looks on Friday, Sept. 8, 2006 in Quebec City. (CP PHOTO/Jacques Boissinot)UN Special Envoy for HIV/AIDS in Africa Stephen Lewis signs autographs as he leaves the stage following the closing ceremonies of the 16th World Aids Conference in Toronto on Friday, Aug. 18, 2006. (CP PHOTO/Aaron Harris)Stephen Lewis, UN Special Envoy for HIV/AIDS in Africa, gets a guided tour from students in Mississauga, Ont. on Tuesday, Sept. 5, 2006, the first day at their new school which is named in his honour. (CP PHOTO/Stuart Nimmo)NDP Leader Tom Mulcair, left, greets Stephen Lewis during a campaign stop in Toronto on Monday, August 24, 2015. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Frank GunnStephen Lewis speaks in the dining room of his Toronto home on Monday, Dec. 11, 2006. At the end of December, Lewis completes his five-year term as UN special envoy for AIDS in Africa, a posting that saw the outspoken Canadian activist criss-crossing the continent he so deeply loves. (CP PHOTO/Frank Gunn)
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