Avi Lewis, the leader of Canada's federal New Democratic Party, has publicly criticized Electronic Arts' handling of BioWare, calling for government intervention to allow the studio's employees to purchase and operate it themselves. Lewis expressed strong disapproval of what he described as private equity practices, stating, "Buy up businesses, run them into the ground, and rip them apart for short-term profit."
In a social media post, Lewis asserted that BioWare's developers possess the knowledge and capability to run the studio effectively. He proposed that they should receive priority and federal support to acquire the company. Lewis also warned against the "Mass Effect effect" in Canada, urging for measures to prevent private equity from further encroaching on vital industries.
The New Democratic Party, a center-left political group, has seen Lewis elected to steer it toward a more centrist platform. He has taken firm stances on various issues, including support for anti-fascist movements and advocating for the nationalization of industries acquired by international entities. Some of his followers have humorously suggested the nationalization of BioWare in response to his comments.
Lewis, who identifies as a fan of the Mass Effect series, shared his gaming preferences when queried on social media, stating, "If I'm honest, I'm a Mass Effect 1 on the PS3 type of guy."